MSc/MA in Mindfulness-based approaches

The MSc in Mindfulness-Based Approaches (MBAs) is designed to provide students with a strong experiential and theoretical knowledge-base in MBAs as a basis for professional practice, teaching and research in this area.

You must have an initial degree or recognised equivalent qualification, and a professional background with at least 5 years’ professional experience. We prioritise students with personal experience of mindfulness practice in the form taught in MBAs.

Applications are invited for the Foundation module and the Research and Evaluation module from those with a range of professional backgrounds, as the focus is on personal experience of the practice and the science of mindfulness, with integration of these into one’s life and work. The Foundation and both Teaching modules can be a non-certificated training process to teach MBAs for those who have an appropriate professional background and context.

STUDY MODE AND DURATION
Each of the four 30 credit modules is taught over five weekends spread across the academic year, simultaneously with the University’s School of Education’s part-time Masters programme. The full master’s degree can be completed in 3 years, or up to a maximum of 5 years.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE
The curriculum is designed to extend your current personal experience of the practice of mindfulness, knowledge of the growing field of MBAs, and skills and understanding in teaching these.
The taught component of the course comprises the four modules below. Modules 1, 2 and 3 must be taken sequentially. Module 4 can be taken alongside any of the other modules. The dissertation can be written alongside the taught modules or subsequent to them.

1. Foundation in mindfulness-based approaches integrates personal experience of mindfulness practice with a development of understanding of the rationale MBAs.

MINDFULNESS-BASED APPROACHES:FOUNDATION MODULE

2. Teaching 1 develops core skills and understanding in the delivery of MBAs.

MINDFULNESS-BASED APPROACHES:TEACHING 1

3. Teaching 2 involves further development of skills and deepening of understanding in delivering MBAs.

MINDFULNESS-BASED APPROACHES:TEACHING 2

4. Research and evaluation of mindfulness-based approaches includes basic research methodology, the considerations required for eliciting information on MBAs and knowledge of the body of research on mindfulness-based approaches.

MINDFULNESS-BASED APPROACHES:RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE BASE

5. Dissertation is a research thesis of up to 20,000 words worth 60 credits, presenting an individual research project conducted on a topic relevant to mindfulness-based approaches. Students work independently on this project with the support of a supervisor.

MINDFULNESS-BASED APPROACHES:DISSERTATION

TEACHING, LEARNING, AND ASSESSMENT
The core of the teaching is delivered in the interactive, participatory, collaborative style used when teaching mindfulness-based approaches in other contexts. This will be supported by some didactic presentations followed by group discussion and individual tutorials/supervision. The programme requires a strong personal commitment from participants to engage in a daily and ongoing personal mindfulness practice and in depth reflections on the experience of this.
Assessment methods include essays, oral presentations, assessments of teaching skills and the research thesis.

QUALIFICATIONS AWARDED
Students who successfully complete both four taught modules and a research thesis receive an MSc in Mindfulness-Based Approaches. Those successfully completing two taught modules receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Approaches, and four completed modules gives a Postgraduate Diploma in Mindfulness-Based Approaches.

CAREERS
This course could enable you to develop your career in a number of ways. Students may opt to go on to further postgraduate study leading to a PhD. For qualified health, social care or education professionals, the course offers an exciting opportunity for continuing professional development.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Application material is available from our Postgraduate Admissions Secretary at the address listed above. If you have any questions about the application procedure please email psychology@bangor.ac.uk and the Admissions Secretary will be pleased to help. Alternatively, you can download the application from the University website.

FURTHER INFORMATION

You can download a word document containing very detailed information by clicking here.

Alternatively information is available from the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice website, by phoning 01248 382939 or by emailing mindfulness@bangor.ac.uk.

If having reviewed this information, you find that you have additional questions about academic/content aspects of the course, you may e-mail the Course Director: Judith Soulsby.