MPhil in Liaison Mental Health
[Note: This is a programme by coursework and dissertation. It includes seminars, supervision and
demonstrations for registered psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists, social
workers and other mental health professionals who wish to gain special expertise in liaison mental
health. It is envisaged that, ultimately, this will become a registrable subspeciality with the Health
Professions Council of South Africa.]
RULES AND CURRICULA FOR POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES 181
Programme convenor: Dr B Vythilingum (Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health).
Admission requirements
FMI 1.1 To be eligible for consideration, a candidate must have
(a) a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry of the University or another university
recognised for this purpose, or a qualification recognised by the Senate as an
equivalent (such as the fellowship in psychiatry from the College of Medicine of
South Africa); or
(b) a master’s degree in clinical psychology of the University or another university
recognised for this purpose, or a qualification deemed to be equivalent; or
FMI 1.2
(c) a professional qualification in a mental health discipline such a social work,
occupational therapy, or nursing; or
(d) a professional qualification with requisite experience deemed to be equivalent to
any of the above.
All candidates must be practising or have the intention to practise in the mental health
field.
Duration of programme
FMI 2 A candidate shall be registered for two years of full-time or three years of part-time
study.
Programme outline
FMI 3 The prescribed courses are:
(a) PRY7020W MPhil in Liaison Mental Health Part 1
General principles of liaison mental health practice; clinical assessments;
professional skills development (such as report writing, co-ordination of
multidisciplinary teams) and ethical considerations.
(b) PRY7021W MPhil in Liaison Mental Health Part 2
Dissertation.
DP requirements and progression rule
FMI 4 Students are required to attend at least 90% of seminars and academic activities in the
unit, and will have to achieve a pass mark (50%) in the coursework assessments in
the first year in order to be eligible to write the examination. They will be allowed
to submit their dissertations only once they have passed all coursework requirements and
the examination.
Assessment
FMI 5 (a) On-going assessment of performance through regular supervision sessions and
through oral and observed clinical examinations every six months. At the end of
the programme, candidates will have been assessed formally by means of
in-course assessment reports - 33%
a three-hour written examination – 33%
the presentation and examination of a dissertation – 34% of total mark.
(b) Part-time candidates will undergo the same in-course assessment and examination
procedures but will be allowed an extra (third) year to complete coursework
and dissertation requirements.