The course is designed for professionals in areas such as education, social welfare, primary care, pediatric settings, voluntary services and specialised mental health services. The course will strengthen and develop students’ knowledge in their area of practice in child mental health.

It aims to complement their skills in caring for young people, to increase knowledge of how mental illness affects children and families and to strengthen and develop knowledge and skills in child mental health. Emphasis will be placed on how this knowledge can be practically applied in the students' own workplace.

Course Description

Mental health problems can affect people of all ages, and it is estimated that one in five young people will suffer from a mental illness by the age of 18 years. Therefore many people who work with children will encounter children who are suffering from a mental illness.

The UCD School of Medicine & Medical Science is now offering this Graduate Diploma course in Child Mental Health. The course will provide a comprehensive review of aspects of mental health and mental ill health, and give information on promotion, detection and primary care intervention, for children and families with mental health difficulties.

The aim of this program is to strengthen and develop knowledge and skills in Child Mental Health. Emphasis will be placed on how this knowledge can be practically applied in the student’s own workplace. This diploma course aims to provide individuals working with children with the specialized knowledge and skills to enable them to contribute to the mental health care of young people. The Graduate Diploma in Child Mental Health will also cover the more formal mental health disorders such as ADHD, eating disorders, mood disorders and pervasive developmental disorders. It will provide information to the student on when and where to refer. Student will be assessed by examinations, essays, oral exams and submission of thesis. 

Students participating in the Graduate diploma course to date have come from a variety of backgrounds.  The course is designed for people in all areas who are working with children, including education, social welfare, primary care, voluntary services, as well as those in specialized mental health services, to complement their skills in caring for young people, and to increase knowledge of how mental illness affects children and families and how to ensure optimal mental health in children. UCD has an established track record in the provision of courses on mental health and psychiatry to students.

Modules

The modules on this course will cover topics such as: Developmental Psychology, Assessment of Children and Families, Common Child Mental Health Problems, Introduction to Communication and Counselling Skills, The Treatment of Child Psychiatric Disorders, Promoting Positive Child Mental Health. For Module 7, Students will be required to produce a Thesis Dissertation in Child Mental Health. Teaching related to Literature Review, Research Methods and production of a thesis will be provided throughout the taught course.

In conjunction with the main course program, students are also given unique opportunity to attend a series of conferences and workshops presented by internationally recognized guest speakers and experts in the field of child mental health.

The course is delivered over one academic year, in 6 taught modules and 1 research module, all of which are core requirements for the award of Graduate Diploma.  The main course program is delivered in the format of weekly lectures and seminars.

• All teaching will typically take place in UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4. 
  
• A Library introduction talk will take place in September in Health Sciences Library in UCD, Belfield, Dublin 4. 
• The course will take place on Wednesday evenings from 13.00 – 21.00 over one academic year. 
• It will be conducted from September to May during academic terms (see UCD website for further information regarding academic terms). Thesis submission is usually in August.

Overview

• Applicants are expected to hold a primary undergraduate degree
• Experience working with Children and Adolescents is desirable and will be considered in the shortlisting process
• Those without formal qualifications will need to demonstrate relevant experience and ability to study at a postgraduate level.
• Application is made via www.ucd.ie/apply.
• Please note, in addition to the standard application form, you are required to send a 5 page CV, including informatoion of past university courses and dates of conferring of same and other relevant work expereince.

International applicants should contact the academic programme director for a full list of entry requirements.

A list of FAQs for international applicants is available here.

• The next intake for this course will be September 2012.
• To apply online, please click here www.ucd.ie/apply
• Once online, the first step is to create a user account, then select “Graduate Taught Courses” as the application type and from the list of program choices select Graduate Diploma in Child Mental Health. 
• For your application to be considered please ensure that all requested documentation is returned at the earliest possibility.

• For more information on course fees please visit the Fees & Grants Office website.
• Fees are correct at the time of writing and subject to change.