A Master’s degree in collaboration with the University of Lausanne (UNIL) for professionals from different fields, helping to improve the quality of care with five Majors:
- Occupational therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Midwifery
- Radiological Medical Imaging Technology
It is aimed at holders of a Bachelor’s degree working in one of these five fields.
The programme at a glance
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Degree awarded
Joint Master of Science HES-SO - UNIL in Health Sciences
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Admission requirements
Applicants are subject to an admissions procedure.
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Application
Applications for the 2023 academic year are open >>> register here.
For any questions: admissions.master(at)hes-so.ch -
Location
Lausanne and Geneva
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Start
Mid-September
Full time: classes on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
Part time: classes two days a week -
Type
Full time or part time
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Duration
3 semesters full time or a minimum of 5 semesters part time (maximum 6 semesters)
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ECTS credits
90
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Language
French and English
level C1 in French and B2 in English recommended -
Fees
CHF 500 per semester (tuition fees)
CHF 250 per semester (study expenses)
CHF 150 (registration fee)
Bank details
Health Sciences (MScSa)
- Course
- Study plan
- Admission requirements
- Modules
- Show more
- Career prospects
- Testimonials
- Partner schools
Course
The Master of Science in Health Sciences with Majors (MScSa) is offered jointly by HES-SO and the University of Lausanne (UNIL). It provides health professionals in the fields of Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Midwifery and Radiological Medical Imaging Technology with access to postgraduate training.
This innovative, interprofessional course is the only one of its kind in Switzerland, helping to develop and deepen knowledge common to all five professions alongside specific input in each discipline.
The health sector is facing numerous challenges and health professionals must have high-level skills to tackle them. Accordingly, the MScSa emphasises:
- Developing interprofessional skills and encouraging collaboration between different professions
- Knowledge transfer, promotion and implementation of scientifically based practices
- Strengthening of professional leadership, critical analysis capabilities and decision-making
- A deep understanding of the social and health context and the development of innovative practices.
By the end of the course, graduates will be prepared to take on significant responsibilities in the health system, by promoting and supervising high-quality, efficient and coordinated interventions.
Study plan
The MScSa is a modular course of 90 ECTS credits, which can be taken full time or part time. It comprises:
- Core modules (30 ECTS credits)
- Specialist modules for each major (30 ECTS credits)
- A Master’s thesis (30 ECTS credits), which involves carrying out a research project related to the student’s chosen major or an aspect of inter-professional working.
Some classes are shared with the Master of Science in Nursing Sciences (MScSI), which is also offered jointly by UNIL and HES-SO.
Classes take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for the full-time course and over two days for the part-time course. The main teaching language is French; proficiency in French is therefore essential (level C1). Good writing skills in English are required for reading purposes; level B2 is recommended.
Admission requirements
Applicants are admitted to the major that corresponds to their job title. Applicants must hold:
- A Bachelor’s (or UAS diploma) from a Swiss University of Applied Sciences in Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Radiological Medical Imaging Technology or Midwifery, or an equivalent qualification
- A qualification converted to a retroactive UAS degree in Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy or Midwifery or a qualification equivalent to the Bachelor of Science HES-SO in Radiological Medical Imaging Technology
- A foreign qualification in Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Radiological Medical Imaging Technology or Midwifery recognised as equivalent, and which would allow the holder to practise in the country that awarded the qualification.
The general terms and conditions for admission to the Master's program at the HES-SO are set out in the HES-SO Master's program admission regulations.
Registration opens in December of each year. The deadline for registration is April 30 and February 20 for candidates who need a visa. Recognition of foreign degrees is only provided as a part of the admission process. For any question, you can contact admissions.master(at)hes-so.ch.
Note for students with a foreign qualification: access to the practice of a regulated health profession in Switzerland with a qualification acquired abroad is under the responsibility of the Swiss Red Cross. This recognition process is independent of the recognition of the foreign qualification for admission to the Master in Health Sciences.
This section contains descriptions of the core modules for the five majors and an outline of the Master’s thesis modules.
Methodology I - 10 ECTS (Leader: Ludivine Soguel Alexander)
Interprofessionnality - 5 ECTS (Leader: Katherine Blondon )
Treating patients has now become a collaborative practice, often involving professionals from different fields who, ideally, include the patient as a partner in their care. This module sets out the conceptual model that underpins this type of collaboration and partnership. Students will also learn to use TeamSTEPPS® tools to improve teamwork, in areas such as leadership or conflict management, with a particular focus on communications between professionals from different fields. Interactive workshops will emphasise the links between collaborative practice and the quality and safety of care. The various teaching modes will allow students to learn and practise the tools presented and build partnerships with both patients suffering from chronic diseases and the various people in their care network.
Methodology II - 5 ECTS (Leader: Marie-Julia Guittier)
The Methodology II module builds on students’ knowledge of statistics and qualitative methods from Methodology I and examines hybrid methods. It should enable the student to work independently on their Master’s thesis.
Economics, politics and the health system - 5 ECTS (Leader: Isabelle Gremion )
This module allows students to explore and use the main theories in the economics of health and Swiss and international health systems. Students will give oral presentations of case studies in a group setting throughout the module.
Health: the individual and society - 5 ECTS (Leader: Krzysztof Skuza)
Master’s thesis - 30 ECTS (Leader: Marie-Julia Guittier)
The Occupational Therapy Major of the MScSa builds on previous academic learning in occupational therapy.
The course aims to develop essential skills for advanced practice in occupational therapy, in areas such as occupational sciences, clinical reasoning, health systems, managing clinical projects in relation to specific populations, settings or models, using research results, and leadership.
Integrated module: Evidence-Based Practice / Knowledge Transfer & Exchange - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Ludivine Soguel Alexander, Marc-André Pellerin)
Theories of occupation - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Isabel Magot Cattin)
Models in occupational therapy, professional strategies and reasoning - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Sylvie Meyer )
The module describes the reasoning put forward by occupational therapists to support their arguments and adjusting their interventions to meet the needs of clients depending on the situation, practice context and scientific data. It is based on the results of research on forms of clinical reasoning in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing and medicine. It demonstrates the differences between experts and novices, and the methods used to enhance expertise and produce knowledge about clinical reasoning.
Specific interventions in advanced occupational therapy practice - 10 ECTS credits (Leader: Martine Bertrand Leiser)
Professional leadership and communication - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Michelle Monin)
The nutrition and dietetics fields are changing rapidly and are interesting an increasing number of people in terms of keeping healthy or treating disease. Professionals face the challenge of acquiring a variety of skills to provide solutions to numerous problems related to diet.
The Nutrition and Dietetics Major of the MScSa aims to strengthen dieticians’ abilities to use scientific evidence to provide and deliver optimal nutritional services in line with changes in the health system. There is an emphasis on metabolism, prevention and nutritional therapies, particularly in the context of chromic diseases, out-of-home catering and food systems, as well as research and epidemiology in nutrition.
Integrated module: Evidence-Based Practice / Knowledge Transfer & Exchange - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Ludivine Soguel Alexander)
Human nutrition and metabolism - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Jocelyne Depeyre)
Food System Management - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Sidonie Fabbi)
Advanced practices and leadership in nutrition and dietetics 1 - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Corinne Jotterand Chaparro )
This module aims to develop dieticians’ ability to construct a nutritional argument to provide an optimal response to complex or controversial professional questions.
Advanced practices and leadership in nutrition and dietetics 2 - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Sophie Bucher Della Torre )
This module aims to develop students’ skills and leadership along the continuum from prevention to treatment of non-communicable diseases with relevant nutritional interventions and a vision of public health.
Nutritional epidemiology and research in nutrition - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Angéline Chatelan )
“Chocolate is good for the heart” This module gives you the methodological tools to refute this kind of misleading claim, resulting from a lack of understanding of specific methods in nutrition research.
The Physiotherapy Major of the MScSa aims to strengthen physiotherapists’ skills in research, project management, interprofessional collaboration and knowledge transfer, to promote advanced practice in physiotherapy that meets the needs of the population.
The course enables participants to improve their skills in areas such as rehabilitation sciences, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, health systems, adapted physical activity, using research results, and leadership.
Integrated module: Evidence-Based Practice / Knowledge Transfer & Exchange - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Ludivine Soguel Alexander, Véronique Hasler)
Critical thinking in physiotherapy - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Anne-Violette Bruyneel)
Physical activity with specific populations - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Virginie Cuvelier)
Interventions in advanced occupational therapy practice - 10 ECTS credits (Leader: Guillaume Christe)
Health engineering, project management and collaborative leadership - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Claude Pichonnaz )
The PHINSA module aims to develop physiotherapists’ ability to undertake interdisciplinary projects with engineers and managers, by using new technologies effectively to support health.
The perinatal care offered to women, newborn babies and families has been transformed by scientific advances but also by adapting to the new constraints in health systems, the expectations of a diverse population and changes in society.
The Midwifery Major of the MScSa aims to strengthen midwives’ abilities to rely on scientific evidence and translate it into practice, to meet the specific health needs associated with the perinatal period and changes in the population. This major therefore includes modules designed to reflect on integrating research-based knowledge and the reality of practice at an advanced level. The specific midwifery modules strengthen students’ abilities to design and select prevention and intervention strategies from a public health and health promotion perspective, by incorporating approaches focused on individuals according to their social determinants.
Integrated module: Evidence-Based Practice / Knowledge Transfer & Exchange - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Ludivine Soguel Alexander, Jessica Sormani)
Constructing and connecting scientific knowledge and midwifery practices - 10 ECTS credits (Leader: Patricia Perrenoud)
Professional modules in midwifery sciences throughout the care continuum - 10 ECTS credits (Leader: Claire De Labrusse )
This module aims to deepen knowledge and refine critical judgements about the various models of care provided to women and used in maternity units.
Education for health in the perinatal period: a social issue - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Chantal Razurel)
The ongoing process of technological innovation, alongside the increasing complexity of treating patients, underpin teaching on the Radiological Medical Imaging Technology Major of the MScSa.
It combines a deepening of scientific knowledge specific to the field of Radiological Medical Imaging Technology with acquiring the aptitudes and skills needed to take up one of the emerging roles in the professional medical imaging field, in design, development, conduct, consultancy, innovation and leadership.
Integrated module: Evidence-Based Practice / Knowledge Transfer & Exchange - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: Ludivine Soguel Alexander, Sandrine Ding)
Medical imaging and quality assurance: design, development, conduct - 10 ECTS credits (Leader: Jérôme Schmid)
Technology, risk and professional activity: consultancy, innovation and leadership - 10 ECTS credits (Leader: Séverine Rey)
Scientific foundations of medical radiology - 5 ECTS credits (Leader: José Jorge)
Career prospects
The MScSa provides access to careers in a very diverse range of activities, including:
- Promotion and implementation of scientifically based practices
- Development, coordination and evaluation of projects and services
- Professional and interprofessional teaching
- Health care research, quality and safety.
Testimonials
“Even in the first semester, I was able to transfer the skills I had developed directly into my clinical practice.”
“My view of health has been enhanced by exploring new aspects.”
“The activities we shared with students from other majors helped me to think about new kinds of collaboration with professionals from other fields.”
Contact
Ludivine Soguel Alexander
Head of the Master in Health Sciences
HES-SO Master
Av. de Provence 6
1007 Lausanne
T +41 58 900 00 00
admissions.master(at)hes-so.ch
Nicolas Kühne
Head of the Occupational Therapy major
nicolas.kuhne(at)hetsl.ch
Jocelyne Depeyre
Head of the Nutrition and Dietetics major
jocelyne.depeyre(at)hesge.ch
Claude Pichonnaz
Head of the Physiotherapy major
claude.pichonnaz(at)hesav.ch
Patricia Perrenoud
Head of the Midwifery major
patricia.perrenoud(at)hesav.ch
Jérôme Schmid
Head of the Radiological Medical Imaging Technology major
jerome.schmid(at)hesge.ch
