MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Health

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Manchester Metropolitan University

Program Overview

The MSc Child & Adolescent Mental Health at Manchester Metropolitan University builds specialist knowledge, practical assessment and intervention skills, and research experience to support young people’s mental health. It’s suited to graduates or practitioners (e.g., social workers, teachers, health professionals) wanting to work in CAMHS, schools, or community settings. \

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1 : Students study modules such as Psychological Development Across the Lifespan and Understanding Mental Health in Children and Adolescents, gaining insight into developmental theory, risk and protective factors, and clinical presentation. They also take Assessment and Intervention in Child & Adolescent Mental Health to practise evaluation and design of therapeutic and support interventions. In Research Principles and Methods, learners develop strong research design, data analysis, and critical appraisal skills. Finally, they complete a Research for Innovation Dissertation, independently researching a contemporary issue in child mental health. \

Focus areas:
“child development; adolescent psychopathology; assessment & intervention; applied research; wellbeing & resilience”

Learning outcomes:
“understand the developmental bases of child mental health; apply evidence-based assessment and intervention methods; design and conduct empirical research; reflect on professional and ethical practice in youth mental health settings.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The course is not a BPS-accredited “Stage 1” psychologist qualification, but provides strong grounding for roles in mental health services, education or further clinical training. \

Reputation (employability):
MMU’s Psychology Department is well-regarded for applied postgraduate training. The programme prepares students for roles in CAMHS, youth support services, and research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students develop practical skills through applied child mental health projects and engagement with contemporary practice. They utilise the Department of Psychology's specialist resources and have opportunities for professional development in child mental health settings. The programme's experiential components include:

Applied Research Project: A dissertation focused on child and adolescent mental health
Professional Skills: Development of child mental health assessment and intervention techniques
Facilities: Access to psychology research laboratories and child assessment tools
Contemporary Practice: Training in evidence-based child and adolescent mental health approaches
Professional Development: Insights from child mental health practitioners and service contexts

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Manchester Metropolitan University’s MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Health program typically find roles as Trainee Child and Adolescent Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP), Early Intervention Workers, Youth Mental Health Support Officers, and Research Assistants. The program equips students with a comprehensive understanding of child and adolescent mental health, nutritional wellbeing, and intervention strategies, preparing them for multidisciplinary work in healthcare, social work, and education sectors.

Key progression and employability details include:

University services include personalized support from Personal and Programme Support Tutors, career mentoring, and access to placement opportunities in charities, NHS, and private sectors where students apply practical skills.
About 92.7% of graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months of graduation, with competitive salaries typical of early-career mental health professionals.
Partnerships with local NHS trusts, mental health charities, and educational services enable workplace placements and valuable real-world experience.
The program is research-led and offers access to specialist facilities for brain imaging and neurostimulation, contributing to its long-term value and relevance.
Graduates demonstrate strong clinical, therapeutic, research, and critical thinking skills, equipping them for successful employment or further training.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may pursue clinical or educational psychology doctoral training, specialized mental health research degrees, or further professional training to advance careers in child and adolescent mental health.