FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions - What You Need to Know
1. Q : Is this program an online program ?
A : No, it is on campus. However, online program is allowed for the first semester of the first year.
2. Q : When am I supposed to come to Chiang Mai?
A: All students must attend the some courses onsite. Students should be present in Chiang Mai in October before the 707 course starts.
3. Q: I do not have English test score when sending application, how soon should I submit the English test score if I am accepted as an iMMH student?
A: The importance of the valid Eng result is that it will change the student status from 'conditional/temporary' to 'unconditional/full-time'. The condition of the students affects the order of the thesis development process. Now we put the non-conditional students in the earlier orders followed by the students with conditions. By the end of the first semester (early October), all students must have their concept proposals ready. Students under 'conditional admission' will not be able to request thesis supervisors. That's why we encourage all students to change their status as soon as possible.
4. Q: Will I become a professional in Mental Health after graduating?
A: This program will not make you a professional because this is an academic degree. Unlike a professional degree that helps students prepare for careers in specific fields, such as law, pharmacy, and medicine, an academic (or research) degree concentrates on a particular study area. Courses provide the technical knowledge that is learned throughout the curriculum, and students have to plan, organize, and conduct research to accomplish their coursework.
iMMH is developed to fit many different higher education/programs and career opportunities as it is a degree in an 'academic' type. Our program is unique; iMMH will give you the Master of Science, not the Master of Arts. It is a mental health program, which is multidisciplinary based, not a psychology program, which is an element in mental health.
Here's the Prospective professions after graduation
- School
counselor
- Industrial
counselor
- Human
resource manager
- Social
worker
- Head of
public health department, sub-district administrative organization
- Director of
health promotion hospital or primary health care setting
- Physician specialized in mental health
- Hospital
nursed specialized in mental health
- Hospital
pharmacist specialized in mental health
- Hospital
physiotherapist specialized in mental health
- Occupational
therapist specialized in mental health
- Engineer
specialized in mental health
- Architect
specialized in mental health
- Academia in
the fields related to mental health
- Entrepeneur
in the mental health field
- Researcher in mental health
-
5. Q: Would I be able to do any clinical counselling after this program? And/or what kinds of careers would most students pursue with this degree?
A: As far as we know, a counsellor doesn't require a license issued by a specific professional society to perform counselling. If your BA background and current career are in clinical counselling, you are able to continue it. An academic degree like iMMH will not grant you any new license for your professional competency.
As this program provides knowledge and skills in research on mental health, you can definitely apply your knowledge and skills on mental health issues to your current work. As we know, mental health exists everywhere and is everyone's business. Therefore, you will be able to design how to integrate your plan concerning "mental health" into your current job. For example, for those who are teachers, you might want to organize how to screen your students for stress or anxiety or depression. Then, you might assess how severe the symptoms they have; then, you might design a management plan for students at risk of depression. Finally, you may create a decision tree- how they should be further managed. For example, see a school counsellor or psychiatrist (if you think psychotropic medication should be added), or you can provide them with education and counselling regarding their depressive symptoms. If you are already a professional such as a medical doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, you should become a professional who is specialized in mental health. You will surely deal much better with a person with mental health issues in terms of early detection, early intervention, and better management.
In addition, you can pursue a higher level of education (i.e., Ph.D. or postdoctoral) to focus more on some specific area and acquire more skills in research. Much more options will be open for you after you receive your Ph.D.
6. Q: I have no experience doing scientific research. What can I expect when doing research or a thesis on mental health?
A: We welcome students from diverse backgrounds, including both health science and non-health science fields. Here are some guidelines for new students:
Comprehensive Guidelines for Master’s Students in Mental Health: Developing, Executing, and Disseminating a Rigorous and Ethical Thesis Research
These guidelines ensure that the research is academically rigorous, ethically sound, methodologically robust, and impactful for the mental health field. They provide a structured framework for students to develop, execute, and share their research effectively.
- Commitment to the Two-Year Program: Students must commit to completing the program within two years. The thesis advisor team will provide vigorous support to help students stay on track and graduate within this timeframe. Full-time study and dedicated effort are required to meet the program’s academic and research demands.
- Topic Selection Based on Interest and Background: Students should initiate their research by selecting a topic that aligns with their personal interests and academic background in mental health. The chosen topic should be relevant to the field and have the potential to contribute new knowledge or address existing gaps.
- Development of Research Concept through Evidence-Based Clinical Practice (EBCP): Students will learn to refine their research concept through the Evidence-Based Clinical Practice (EBCP) module, guided by professors. This process ensures that the research is grounded in evidence-based approaches and aligns with current clinical and scientific standards.
- Comprehensive Consideration of Research Feasibility: While personal interest is important, students must also consider other critical aspects of their research, such as the feasibility of the research procedures, availability of expert advisors, potential contributions to mental health knowledge, generalizability of findings, and replicability of the study. These factors ensure the research is practical, impactful, and scientifically rigorous.
- Assignment of Thesis Advisors: Once the student has developed a clear research concept and outline, the program chair will assign a thesis advisor team. Advisors are carefully selected based on their expertise, availability, and compliance with university regulations for serving as thesis advisors. This ensures students receive appropriate guidance and support throughout their research journey.
- Ethical Considerations and Approval: Students must ensure their research adheres to ethical guidelines and obtains approval from the relevant ethics review board or institutional review board (IRB). This includes obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring confidentiality, and minimizing potential harm or risks. Ethical considerations are particularly critical in mental health research due to the sensitive nature of the topics and populations involved.
- Literature Review and Theoretical Framework: Students are expected to conduct a thorough literature review to identify gaps in existing research and build a strong theoretical foundation for their study. The review should critically analyze previous studies, highlight the relevance of the proposed research, and justify its necessity. A well-defined theoretical framework should guide the research questions, hypotheses, and methodology.
- Methodological Rigor and Data Analysis: Students must design a research methodology that aligns with their research questions and objectives. This includes selecting appropriate research designs (e.g., quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods), sampling strategies, data collection tools, and analysis techniques. Methodological rigor, including validity, reliability, and transparency, must be demonstrated throughout the research process. Training or consultation with experts in statistical or qualitative analysis may be required.
Quantitative methods are generally preferred over qualitative methods due to the limitations of qualitative research, such as subjectivity, limited generalizability, time-consuming processes, and difficulty in replication. However, qualitative methods may be considered if there is a strong justification, such as exploring complex, context-specific phenomena or generating in-depth insights that quantitative methods cannot capture. - Dissemination and Contribution to the Field: Upon completing their research, students are encouraged to disseminate their findings through academic channels, such as publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at conferences, or sharing results with relevant mental health organizations. The research should aim to contribute meaningfully to the field by addressing knowledge gaps, informing clinical practice, or influencing policy. Students should also reflect on the limitations of their study and propose directions for future research.
