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Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (MSc)
Course Overview
This dual delivery course enables students to complete this postgraduate qualification either in person, blended or fully online. The course equips students with the knowledge and skills required to make meaningful contributions to cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation practice. The scientific evidence for comprehensive rehabilitation is compelling in these populations. Furthermore, service transformations advocate for integrated approaches to delivery. As such, contemporary and evidence-based practice features strongly together with multidisciplinary approaches to the comprehensive delivery of high-quality care. The effective implementation of intensive lifestyle and medical risk factor management together with enabling psychosocial health and wellbeing are cornerstone.
Unique features of this programme include:
- Flexible learning: The course uses a dual delivery approach (with a fully online option available) by incorporating scheduled hybrid tutorials and workshops coupled with directed study. This enables students to simultaneously maintain professional roles in clinical practice or manage other commitments whilst completing their studies. International students residing in Galway and those not working in clinical practice are required to complete a weekly timetable of face-to-face activities that take place in a range of clinical settings.
- Delivered in partnership with the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC): This partnership enables an exceptional opportunity for students to interact with leading experts as well as engage in cutting-edge research and further opportunities in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.
- Interdisciplinary expert teaching faculty: Students from a variety of backgrounds from all over the world interact with international leaders and clinical specialists from medicine, nursing, nutrition, exercise, behavioural medicine and public health.
The course addresses the latest evidence-base, implementation of best-practice guidelines and healthcare policy, behavioural change strategies, lifestyle approaches to risk factor modification, psychosocial health and medical management of risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity and smoking. Outcome measures, health technology and innovation in service design also feature strongly to enable programme uptake and high-quality delivery. Whilst focussed on cardiovascular and pulmonary populations the content aligns strongly to the management of non-communicable diseases.
This programme aims to provide nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, GPs, hospital doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists and other health professionals interested in or working with people with cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, the knowledge to provide high quality care as well as an array of career opportunities in clinical care transformation, research, academia and industry.
Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Who Teaches this Course
This course is delivered by an interdisciplinary teaching faculty of leading experts and clinical specialists in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation:
Dr Mandy Jones
Specialist physiotherapist in respiratory physiology and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Noeleen Fallon
Specialist nurse in cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation. Past-President of Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (IACR).
Elaine Robinson
Specialist nurse in tobacco cessation.
Suzanne Seery
Specialist dietitian in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Denise Dunne
Specialist physiotherapist in cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation.
Dr Susan Connolly
Consultant Cardiologist; Clinical Lead in Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation
Karen Cradock
Specialist Physiotherapist in Cardiac Rehabilitation; Past President of Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation
Laura Tobin
Specialist Physiotherapist; Healthy Ireland Project Lead.
Professor Derek O’Keeffe
Consultant Endocrinologist and Expert in Diabetes and Technology & Innovation
Health Behaviour Change Research Group and School of Psychology at University of Galway
The team contribute to teaching across content in health behaviour change, psychosocial health, sexual health and medication adherence
Discipline of Health Promotion at University of Galway
The team contribute to teaching across content in health promotion approaches
Professor Robyn Gallagher
Expert in Digital Health and Current President of the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation
B.Med.Sc., M.B. B.Ch. BAO, M.H.S., M.Ed
Professor of Preventive Cardiology Twitter Handle: @johnwmcevoy
View Profile
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Successful applicants will possess at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1 degree (or equivalent) in a health care discipline or related subject area (e.g., medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, dietetics, sport and exercise science, clinical or health psychology, pharmacy, health promotion, public health, etc). For those who do not hold a primary degree at the required level, consideration will also be given to applicants with relevant work experience, background knowledge and skills.
Overseas students will need to satisfy the University’s English Language requirement of IELTS 6.5 or above (or equivalent).
Additional Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration
1 year, full-time
Next start date
September 2024
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
20
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
Please view the offer rounds website for information.
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
90
Award
CAO
Course code
MSC-CPR
Course Outline
The MSc in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation involves students participating in a number of Level 9 modules totalling 90 ECTS.
In Semester 1 students participate in three core modules:
- Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Theory and Practice
- Research Methods
- Reflective Clinical Practice (Part 1)
In Semester 2 students participate in three core modules:
- 3 optional modules across subjects in behaviour change, lifestyle and medical risk factor modification
- Reflective Clinical Practice (Part 2)
Across all three semesters, students work on a primary research project that is submitted as a ready to publish article at the end of the programme.
This core teaching is delivered fully online with scheduled virtual tutorials and workshops taking place typically 1-2 Thursday/Friday evenings (3-7 pm) and 1 Saturday per month. In conjunction with this face-to-face virtual contact, students are expected to complete intensive directed studies supported by a specially designed online learning platform. In addition, students are offered a number of face-to-face opportunities to enable application of learning to practice. Where attendance to these in person is not possible online options are available.
Each module has associated assessments. At the end of Semester 1 online examinations are run for these modules. The remainder of the course has assessments in the form of essays or equivalent—e.g., written assignments, poster presentations, case reviews.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
There is an array of employment opportunities in public health, health promotion, healthcare management, academic and research settings and the pharmaceutical industry. Graduates of the course with a clinical background will also specifically benefit from career advancement in the specialty of cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation and integrated care programmes more broadly.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€9,140 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€9,000 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€18,000 p.a. (€18,140 including levy) 2024/25
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2024/25). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
Postgraduate fee breakdown = Tuition (EU or NON EU) + Student levy as outlined above.
Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here
Find out More
Dr Jennifer Jones
Programme Director
E: jennifer.jones@universityofgalway.ie
Programme endorsements
Professor David Wood | Weight Management Clinic Director
This new Masters course in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is uniquely tailored to meet the clinical knowledge and skills of all members of the multidisciplinary team—doctors, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, physical activity specialists, occupational therapists, psychologists and others—by providing a modern approach to interdisciplinary working in supporting cardiac and respiratory patients to achieve healthier lives.in Connect with Professor David
