Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Master of Nursing Science Program in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing is fundamentally aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals by its core mission to produce advanced practice nurses who can promote mental health and provide care for individuals, families, and communities facing mental health challenges. This program makes a direct and powerful contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by training specialists to address the prevention and treatment of mental, emotional, and substance use disorders. As a master's level program, it is a clear pillar of SDG 4 (Quality Education), fostering lifelong learning and creating highly skilled professionals for a critical healthcare sector. The curriculum's dedicated focus on diverse and vulnerable populations, including children, adolescents, the elderly, and individuals with gender diversity issues, demonstrates a strong commitment to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Furthermore, the emphasis on ethics, law, and patient advocacy supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), ensuring graduates practice with accountability and strengthen the healthcare system.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This program is centrally focused on promoting mental health and well-being, a critical component of overall health. The curriculum provides comprehensive training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders across the lifespan. By producing advanced practice nurses specializing in psychiatric care, the program directly contributes to strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse and promoting mental health, aligning with core targets of SDG 3.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PC53 701 | Concepts, Theories and Systems of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing | Directly supports Target 3.4 and 3.5 by providing the foundational knowledge for the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders and substance abuse. |
| PC53 702 | Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing Assessment and Intervention I | Contributes to good health by developing essential skills in psychotherapy and psychopharmacology for managing mental health conditions, thereby promoting well-being. |
| PC53 703 | Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing Assessment and Intervention II | Addresses health needs across all ages by focusing on care for children, adolescents, and the elderly, ensuring a life-course approach to mental health and well-being. |
| PC53 801 | Nursing Care for Persons with Substance Use Problems and Addiction | Directly aligns with Target 3.5 by focusing on the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. |
| PC53 891 | Practicum in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing I | Provides hands-on clinical practice in applying therapeutic modalities, which is essential for ensuring a skilled health workforce capable of providing effective mental health services. |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a Master of Nursing Science program, this curriculum exemplifies quality education by providing specialized, advanced training for nursing professionals. It promotes lifelong learning through a strong emphasis on research, evidence-based practice, and continuous professional development, ensuring that graduates possess highly relevant technical and vocational skills for an advanced and specialized field.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PC50 702 | Advanced Nursing Research | Directly supports Target 4.4 by equipping nurses with advanced technical skills in research methodology, which are crucial for high-level employment and for contributing to the evidence base of the profession. |
| PC50 704 | Advanced Practice Nursing Roles and Health Policy | Contributes to quality education by preparing nurses for leadership roles in health policy and systems, providing them with skills for management and advocacy (Target 4.7). |
| PC53 897 | Seminar on Selected Issues in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing | Enhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by requiring students to critically analyze, synthesize, and present on current issues and research in the field. |
| PC53 998 / PC53 994 | Thesis / Independent Study | Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity where students conduct original research or in-depth scholarly work, acquiring superior skills for innovation and leadership (Target 4.4). |
SDG 5: Gender EqualityAlignment Summary: The program actively promotes gender equality by including a dedicated course on the mental health needs of individuals with gender diversity. This ensures that graduates are equipped with the knowledge and sensitivity to provide inclusive, non-discriminatory, and affirming care to all individuals, and to address violence and mental health issues within family contexts.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PC53 802 | Nursing Care for Persons with Gender Diversity Issues and Family and Community | Directly supports Target 5.1 and 5.2 by focusing on ending discrimination and violence, and providing care for individuals with gender diversity issues, ensuring equitable and sensitive mental healthcare for all genders. |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: The program works to reduce inequalities by training nurses to provide care to diverse and often marginalized populations. The curriculum's focus on mental health care for children, adolescents, the elderly, and individuals with gender diversity issues ensures that graduates are prepared to empower and promote the social and psychological inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, or other status.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PC53 703 | Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing Assessment and Intervention II | Directly aligns with Target 10.2 by focusing on the specific mental health needs of vulnerable age groups, including children, adolescents, and the elderly, promoting their inclusion and well-being. |
| PC53 802 | Nursing Care for Persons with Gender Diversity Issues and Family and Community | Promotes social inclusion (Target 10.2) by equipping nurses with the skills to provide affirming and competent care to individuals with diverse gender identities, a group often facing significant health disparities. |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: The curriculum helps to build effective and accountable healthcare institutions by grounding its graduates in the ethical and legal aspects of nursing practice. The course on advanced practice nursing roles and health policy prepares nurses to be effective advocates and leaders who can contribute to creating responsive, inclusive, and just health systems.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PC50 704 | Advanced Practice Nursing Roles and Health Policy | Directly supports Target 16.6 by developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions through training in health policy, ethics, and laws, preparing nurses for leadership and advocacy roles. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships by requiring students to engage with the broader scientific and professional community. The research, seminar, and independent study components necessitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing, preparing graduates to work in multi-stakeholder partnerships to advance mental health and contribute to the global knowledge base for sustainable development.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| PC50 702 | Advanced Nursing Research | Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by equipping nurses with the skills to conduct and disseminate research, contributing to the international body of scientific knowledge. |
| PC53 897 | Seminar on Selected Issues in Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing | Promotes multi-stakeholder partnerships (Target 17.16) by requiring students to analyze and discuss complex issues, fostering the skills needed for collaboration between academia, healthcare institutions, and communities. |
| PC53 998 / PC53 994 | Thesis / Independent Study | Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.17) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical health challenges. |