Overview
This MA in Healthcare Chaplaincy and Wellbeing course is the first of its kind in the UK. The course is an integration of theory and practice, providing cutting-edge chaplaincy education reflecting the changing and diverse multi-cultural and multi-faith and belief needs of the NHS, the patients, families, carers and staff. It links academic studies up to practice placements and is aligned to meet the professional competences, as measured by the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy. The course aims at developing an individual’s ability to demonstrate advanced spiritual care skills and knowledge with evidence-based spiritual well-being and spiritual first aid techniques for practice in a multi-cultural, multi-faith healthcare settings. This course will also develop and promote new opportunities to engage in research developments and innovations across a multi-cultural, multi-faith and belief community.
The MA is a part-time course taught over 3-years. It is uniquely designed to provide a step off, and step on educational pathways, starting with a Pg Cert then topping up to MA. So, individuals can top up to MA if they have undertaken the Pg Cert and Pg Dip as part of this validated pathway. Alternatively, individuals could select to start the full three-year part-time MA pathway. In order to qualify for the MA award, students will be required to complete a work-based portfolio instead of a dissertation during the third year.
One distinctive feature about the course is that it is provided by an NHS Trust Chaplaincy Dept - Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) Chaplaincy & Spiritual Health Care Dept, which is one of the largest culturally-diverse multi-faith/belief Chaplaincy team in the UK. The teaching faculty is made of experienced and accomplished educationists and seasoned practitioners in the industry who are at the forefront of delivering contemporary Healthcare Chaplaincy education.
For More Information:
Please contact the Course Director: Revd Nana Kyei-Baffour, Email: Nana.Kyei-Baffour@gstt.nhs.uk Tel: Direct: 020 7188 9844 Or 020 7188 1187
| ModePart-time | Duration3 years | Start dateSeptember | Application code5838 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Want to start your course this September? call 0800 923 8888 for entry requirements.
MA, Healthcare Chaplaincy and Wellbeing
Applicants will be considered on an individual basis but must meet the following entry requirements before being considered for admission:
Prospective candidates must: -
- Hold any of the below qualifications:
- A minimum of a 2:2 degree in a relevant subject to the course, or
- A Higher National Diploma in a relevant subject and a minimum of three years post-qualification experience in a relevant field, or
- A Professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree, or
- An Honours degree (from an accredited institution) in a subject/course relevant to applicant’s faith community or belief group.
- Have at least 6 months experience of undertaking work within a Healthcare Chaplaincy setting (evidence to be provided). Or must have completed Access to Healthcare Chaplaincy course run by the Chaplaincy Team at Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
- Be eligible to be registered with the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy (UKHC). This includes to show a recognized status as a member or observant with a mainstream Faith Community or Belief Group. A mainstream faith community or belief group are those recognized by the Network for Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care in Health (NPSRCH) or the Free Churches Group (FCG) or Churches Together in England (CTE). Evidence to be provided.
- Provide a clear enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Scheme) with POCA (Protection of Children Act) & POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) for hospital placement purposes.
- Be available to undertake a five-month healthcare chaplaincy placement (following the taught component within the Professional Practice) either at GSTT or at an agreed hospital setting. The Placement will be supervised and assessed by mentors who are band 6 and above staff Chaplains registered with the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy (UKBHC).
- By the start of Year 3, student must show evidence of working within the context of Healthcare Chaplaincy, either in a paid role or having an ‘honorary contract’ in place.
- Two references:
And:
- (I) Faith/Belief Community Leader reference and
- (ii) Academic or other appropriate (Manager/Supervisor/Team Leader) reference.
- 8. Complete the Healthcare Chaplaincy Personal Statement, using the linked proforma
AP(E)L
The school welcomes claim from students who wish to use the accreditation of prior (experiential) learning (AP[E]L) as a means of entry to courses. This is considered on an individual basis, in accordance with the University Academic Regulations and Institute of Health and Social Care AP(E)L Policy and Procedure. So, candidates without a degree would require an AP[E]L portfolio in an appropriate service.
For More Information:
Please contact the Course Director: Revd Nana Kyei-Baffour, Email: Nana.Kyei-Baffour@gstt.nhs.uk Tel: Direct: 020 7188 9844 Or 020 7188 1187
Choose your country
Select country here:
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
Speak with your employer/trust regarding professional development funding that may be available to you.
International students
The course is not currently open to international students.
International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.
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| Mode Part-time | Duration 3 years | Start date September | Application code 5838 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
LSBU
Prepare to start
Core Reading list:
- Anderson, R, (2013) Ministry in the Spiritual and Cultural Diversity of Health Care: Increasing the Competency of Chaplains, Abingdon: Routledge.
- Cobb, M., Puchalski C. M. and Rumbold, B. (2012) Oxford Textbook of Spirituality in Healthcare (Oxford Textbooks in Public Health), Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Dudley, J.R. (2016) Spirituality Matters in Social Work: Connecting Spirituality, Religion and Practice. London: Taylor and Francis.
- Swift, C. (2014) Hospital Chaplaincy in the Twenty-first Century: The Crisis of Spiritual care on NHS (2nd edn), Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Limited.
For More Information:
Please contact the Course Director: Revd Nana Kyei-Baffour, Email: Nana.Kyei-Baffour@gstt.nhs.uk Tel: Direct: 020 7188 9844 Or 020 7188 1187
Year 1 Pg Cert in Healthcare Chaplaincy and Wellbeing
- Module 1: Contemporary and Cross-Cultural Healthcare Chaplaincy & Wellbeing (20 credits, Level 6)
This module will help students develop a systematic understanding of spiritual care and cross-cultural communication knowledge within the complex field of different faiths, beliefs, cultural and value systems, while exploring the autonomous role of a chaplain in this environment. A range of contemporary perspectives on wellbeing and healthcare chaplaincy practice and the complex and sometimes contradictory relationship between chaplaincy and equality and diversity (including consideration of current legislation and guidance) will be critically explored. - Module 2: Advanced Spiritual Care for Patients (20 credits, Level 7)
This module explores the academic, religious, and secular understanding of the connection between spirituality and suffering, spirituality in health, spiritual care guidelines and skills required for assessing spiritual needs of patients. The module also explores the theory and practice of spiritual care assessments, spiritual care screening and spiritual care histories, their respective contents, and who should use them. Practical aspect of reflective practice in spiritual care is equally considered. - Module 3: Professional Practice (20 credits, Level 7)
The placement module enables learners to develop advanced skills and consolidate their professional knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to effectively provide safe and person-centred care in their practice within a multi-cultural, multifaith and belief healthcare context.
Year 2 Pg Dip in Healthcare Chaplaincy and Wellbeing
- Module 4: Research Methods in Healthcare Chaplaincy & Wellbeing (20 Credits, L7)
This module will enable students to critically engage with research in healthcare chaplaincy; synthesise, integrate and apply critical knowledge relating to the research process; evaluate and apply research relevant to themselves and service users, thereby contributing to improved governance and accountability of chaplaincy practice. - Module 5: Ethical & Pastoral Care in a Multi-Cultural Society (20 Credits, L7)
This module focuses on exploring models in pastoral care, ethical principles in healthcare decision-making, ethical pastoral decisions, and equipping students to develop relevant counselling and pastoral skills that will foster the provision of contemporary healthcare pastoral support in a society of secular and multiple faith and belief observances. Case studies will form part of the teaching to explore contemporary issues in religious care and ethics. - Module 6: Strategic Leadership and Management in Healthcare Chaplaincy (20 Credits, L7)
This module explores definitions of strategic leadership and management with regard to healthcare chaplaincy. It also explores the difference between strategic leadership and management, the NHS leadership dimensions and link them to strategic leadership of spiritual healthcare. The module aims to enable students develop a critical understanding of the different management styles and skills needed for the modern NHS, looking at people and business management needed by forward-thinking chaplaincy teams. - Module 7: Spiritual Care, Wellbeing and Spiritual First Aid (20 Credits, L7)
This module explores the capabilities and competent advanced practice in spiritual care and wellbeing, demonstrable in 4 pillars – namely spiritual practice, leadership and management, education, and research. The module analyses innovative spiritual care to enhance people’s lived experience and wellbeing, and spiritual first aid and spiritual care in complex traumatic situations. - Module 8: Improving Chaplaincy Practice within the Workplace (20 Credits, L7)
This module equips individuals with the advanced knowledge and skills to examine and evaluate the theology and evidential basis of their faith/belief and how this relates to their communities. The module has a strong emphasis in enabling the individual to deeply apply their advanced knowledge in practice by evidencing their professional practice. The module enables learners to critically reflect and apply learning in context and also promotes the creation of new knowledge and evidence-based skills in spiritual healthcare.
For More Information:
Please contact the Course Director: Revd Nana Kyei-Baffour, Email: Nana.Kyei-Baffour@gstt.nhs.uk Tel: Direct: 020 7188 9844 Or 020 7188 1187
Careers
Employability Service
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
- Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
Employability
This course will enable graduates to apply for positions within chaplaincy in the NHS and elsewhere. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop some key skills including improving communication, IT, literacy, and research skills and to be able to apply for further study.
Upon successful completion of the first three modules, students can be registered as Band 6 Healthcare Chaplains (equivalent to Band 6 Nursing). This is recognised throughout the UK in NHS hospitals and in other healthcare settings providing a gold standard for professional chaplaincy. So, students can enter the professional chaplaincy market with this qualification.
Also, after successfully completing the PG Cert Healthcare Chaplaincy and Wellbeing, students will be able to enter onto PG Diploma and Masters to increase their learning and promote their professional recognition and widen their employment opportunities to Bands 6 and 7 Healthcare Chaplaincy in managerial, consultancy and specialized roles.
Placements
The Professional Module has both taught and practice components and assessed at level 7. The standards set out in the UKBHC Capabilities and Competences are used to assess the placement element to ensure students meet the requirements for professional practice and the award. The primary aim is to protect the public by assuring that students are prepared to practice safely and competently. In accordance with this principle, the course is practice-centred and directed to achievement of professional competence and fitness to practice. So, the placement component is assessed by mentors who are band 6 and above staff Chaplains. It is also required that these mentors are UKBHC registered. Competences will be measured against UKBHC Band 6 Chaplaincy standards. These competences are for registration on the UKBHC register and require students to meet the professional code of conduct and the national requirements. Students are required to undertake 5 months of supervised wards visits and complete 200 hours activity during these ward visits.
In order to qualify for the MA award, students will be required to complete a Professional Portfolio (in the 3rd year) totalling 100 evidenced hours of Placement learning, demonstrating development of advanced spiritual care practice across the four pillars of advanced chaplaincy practice.
Professional Links
Upon successful completion of year one of the course (Pg Cert) the student will be eligible to be registered as a Band 6 Healthcare Chaplain and to be registered with UKBHC register.
For More Information:
Please contact the Course Director: Revd Nana Kyei-Baffour, Email: Nana.Kyei-Baffour@gstt.nhs.uk Tel: Direct: 020 7188 9844 Or 020 7188 1187
Teaching and Assessment
The following pedagogical approaches are applied flexibly to facilitate the most effective and appropriate means of teaching and supporting learning:
- Small group learning opportunities with explicit learning objectives
- Inter-professional and shared/common learning which is clinically and/or professionally relevant
- Using active, participatory, and collaborative peer learning opportunities to enhance social cohesion and learning engagement
- Contextual learning - where basic concepts are given clinical relevance in real world settings
- Competency-based learning and evaluation
- Use of technology in the educational process to enhance skills and understanding of digital literacy and health technologies
- Using strategies and skills to enhance self-regulation of student learning
- Use of assessment to promote learning
For More Information:
Please contact the Course Director: Revd Nana Kyei-Baffour, Email: Nana.Kyei-Baffour@gstt.nhs.uk Tel: Direct: 020 7188 9844 Or 020 7188 1187
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