Master's Degree in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing

General Objectives of the Course

To demonstrate in-depth knowledge and capacity for understanding and solving problems in new situations, in broad contexts in the area of MHPN that allow development, intervention and research;
To demonstrate ability to integrate research teams and actively contribute to evidence-informed nursing;
To demonstrate ability to integrate knowledge, deal with complex issues, develop solutions, and issue critical judgments in situations of limited information, including reflections on ethical and social implications responsibilities that result or condition these solutions and judgments;
To demonstrate skills to manage and transform study or work contexts that are complex, unpredictable and require innovative strategic approaches in MHPN;
To be able to communicate their conclusions, and the reasoning underlying them, in a clear and unambiguous manner.
To have developed the skills necessary for lifelong learning.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the master's program is open to:
a) Individuals with a bachelor's degree or legal equivalent in Nursing from a Portuguese higher education institution;
b) Holders of a foreign first-cycle degree in Nursing that complies with the Bologna Process;
c) Holders of a foreign degree recognized as equivalent to a Portuguese bachelor’s in Nursing by the School's Technical-Scientific Board;
d) Individuals with an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum in the scientific field of Nursing recognized by the School's Technical-Scientific Board as demonstrating the ability to complete the program.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Not applicable.

Mode of Study

Full time

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Assessment is an integral component of the teaching and learning process. It aims to evaluate the students’ knowledge and competencies, as well as their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and proficiency in written and oral communication. The rules governing attendance, assessment, and classification are set out in the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra (RAUC). The grade awarded for each course unit is expressed as a whole number on a 0–20-point scale. A minimum final grade of 10 is required to pass a course unit. The final classification of the programme corresponds to the weighted arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the course units. The weighting assigned to each course unit is equal to its ECTS credit value.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

To value mental health (MH) in the integral development of the human being;
To understand the person in his/her context, taking into account transculturality and diversity;
To identify MH problems in the individual, family and community;
To plan nursing interventions to solve and/or minimize MH problems and mental disorders;
To plan specialized nursing care;
To prescribe nursing interventions of general and specialized care;
To provide evidence-based specialized nursing care;
To assess nursing care and give feedback;
To participate, with other health professionals, in MH care organization policies and in the design, implementation and evaluation of health projects aimed at the well-being, quality of life and health of the populations;
To participate in the management of health care and resources;
To contribute to the development of nursing in general and MHPN in particular, through care delivery, education/training, and research.

Course Coordinator(s)

Rogério Manuel Clemente Rodrigues
uc80164@uc.pt

Tereza Maria Mendes Diniz Andrade Barroso
uc47134@uc.pt

Tânia Manuel Moço Morgado
uc80269@uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is governed by the provisions set out in the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra (RAUC), Regulation No. 945/2025, and Article 45(1)(a) of the Legal Framework for Higher Education Degrees and Diplomas, approved by Decree-Law No. 74/2006 of 24 March, in its current wording.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

DL No. 74/2006 of 24 March, as amended by DL No. 107/2008, DL No. 230/2009, Declaration of Amendment No. 81/2009, DL No. 115/2013, DL No. 63/2016, DL No. 65/2018, DL No. 27/2021, and DL No. 13/2022.

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of the study plan, obtaining a total of 90 ECTS in the following scientific areas:
[723] - Nursing - 85
[345] - Management and Administration - 3
[226] - Philosophy and Ethics - 2

Access to Further Studies

The qualification of Master allows applying for the 2nd cycle of studies (Ph.D.) in accordance with section 8 of this supplement.

Study Programme

2021 - Despacho n.º 8136/2021, de 17 de agosto

Academic year
2026-2027

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: MA48

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 3 Semester(s)

ECTS Credits: 90.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2021-07-31 a 2027-07-31
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 250/2021; 2021-07-27