Master of Science in Diabetes Management

MScPostgraduateMedicine

About This Programme

Create a stimulating environment for research, teaching, and education about diabetes, and an enthusiastic and supportive community of medical healthcare professionals with an interest in diabetes health care, linked via a learning environment. The mission of the Diabetes program is to produce competent diabetes educators with a level of expertise to positively impact the health of people with diabetes while progressing in their career and professional lives. Program Objectives • Analyze the classification, presentation, and diagnosis of diabetes, pre-diabetes, and disorders of glucose metabolism and evaluate the implications of these diagnoses. • Appraise past, current, and emerging therapies in Diabetes. • Provide efficient and personalized health education to people with diabetes. • Evaluate the design, development, and implementation of local clinical practice guidelines for diabetes and their alignment with the health system resources and health teams. • Critically appraise research evidence in the diagnosis, management, and prognosis of diabetes to inform and support clinical and lifestyle management for people with diabetes.

Course Highlights

33 credit hours
Taught in English
College of Medicine
Study system: Courses and Research Project
Full-time study
AED 3,200 per credit hour

What You'll Study

Year 1, Fall semester

9 credit hours

Module 1Science of Diabetes3 credits
This module is designed to introduce students to the basics of diabetes as a science. Students will learn about the physiology and pathophysiology of insulin secretion and use that knowledge to understand the clinical presentation of diabetes. Learning in the module will be linked to recent advances in research related to this science and the possibility to apply the research methodology in the local context.
Module 2Principles of Diabetes3 credits
The main focus of this module is the general principles of diabetes. Students will learn about the etiology of diabetes and different types of diabetes. The latter will be studied with a focus on the pathophysiology that underlies each type of diabetes. Students will also learn about the most recent updates in the principles of diabetes.
Module 3Psycho-Social aspect of Diabetes3 credits
This module highlights the importance of psychosocial aspects in the development of diabetes. Students will learn about the influence of psychosocial factors, economic growth, and stressful events on glycemic control. Students will also explore and evaluate the relationship between anxiety, stress, and depression, and the progression of diabetes.

Year 1, Spring semester

9 credit hours

Module 4Management of Diabetes3 credits
This module focuses on the national and international guidelines of diabetes care and management. Students will learn about different management strategies for diabetes, including pharmacological therapies, bariatric surgery, and beta cell transplantation. Students will also explore new advances and updates in the management of diabetes.
Module 5Complications of Diabetes3 credits
This module focuses on the complications of diabetes, including short-term and long-term complications. Students will be introduced to different aspects of complications associated with diabetes. Students will learn about the risk factors associated with certain diabetes complications and the management strategies that prevent and delay these complications.
Module 6Diabetes Subspecialties3 credits

Module 6, Diabetes Subspecialties, lists six sub-specialties:

Diabetes in Pregnancy
This module focuses on one of the most important aspects of diabetes. Having diabetes during pregnancy is one of the most challenging health issues affecting both the mother and the child. Students will learn about the risk factors, management, and complications of diabetes in pregnancy. Students will explore the short- and long-term outcomes of diabetes in pregnancy.
Diabetes and Lifestyle
This module focuses on the study of lifestyle changes that may contribute to the development of diabetes. Students will be able to evaluate the pre-existing evidence of the relationship between lifestyle factors and diabetes. In addition, students will have an opportunity to describe various lifestyle interventions to prevent, treat, and control diabetes.
Diabetic Septic Foot
This module focuses on one of the most important complications of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy. Students will learn about short-term and long-term complications of diabetic neuropathy. Students will explore the management guidelines for diabetic foot.
Diabetes and Ophthalmology
This module focuses on the adverse effects of hyperglycemia on the eye and vision. Students will learn about the pathophysiology and causes of diabetic retinopathy and the clinical presentation of this condition. Students will also identify the guidelines and models for screening and management of diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetes in Children
This module focuses on the full spectrum of factors and elements involved in pediatric diabetes. Students will learn about the genetic predisposition to diabetes and obesity. Students will also learn how to diagnose, treat, and follow up with children, adolescents, and young adults with diabetes.
Diabetes and Surgery
This module focuses on the postoperative and perioperative aspects of glucose management. Students will learn the principles of care for patients with diabetes before and after any surgery. Students will also learn how to appreciate the significance of having a multidisciplinary team to monitor the required therapeutic adjustments before and after surgery in patients with diabetes.

Year 2, Fall and Spring semesters

15 credit hours (programme total: 33)

Module 7Research Project6 credits
This module is designed to enable learners to acquire knowledge of research methods, including quantitative and qualitative methods, and the required skills to conduct a research project that leads to evidence-based practice in the field of diabetes.
Module 8Clinical Practice9 credits
This module includes a comprehensive clinical training program in diabetes. Students will gain adequate clinical knowledge in the field of diabetes and will experience all aspects of multidisciplinary clinical settings in diabetes.

Modules and credit hours from the study plan document linked on the page. The page's course descriptions number Management of Diabetes as Module 3 and Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes as Module 4; the study plan numbers them 4 and 3, as shown. Titles follow the study plan; the descriptions call three of them Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes, Complications of Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Foot.

What You'll Learn

In this MSc, you will acquire deep knowledge and comprehensive intellectual integrity on the different types of diabetes and associated complications, pathophysiology, and diagnosis, as well as understanding up-to-date therapeutic approaches. The program is suitable for healthcare professionals, researchers, and intercalating medical students. You will develop the skills required for literature searching, and critical appraisal of scientific literature and translate that into evidence-based practice. We aim to develop your research and scientific writing skills so that you will be able to augment and expand your professional development.

Entry Requirements

Academic: In accordance with the University requirements for graduate degrees (Appendix 14), a candidate to be admitted into the Master's program in Diabetes must fulfill the following minimum requirements: • Hold a Bachelor's degree from a UAE-recognized university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3 out of 4 or its equivalent. Students with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 may be admitted conditionally provided that they register for 6-9 credits hours in the first semester of their study and obtain a "B" average. Otherwise, the student will be expelled from the program. • The undergraduate degree must have been achieved by attending no less than 75% of the required period. Students with degrees obtained by distance learning will not be considered. • Achieve the required English Proficiency score. A minimum of 550 in TOEFL or 6 in IELTS (or its equivalent) is required. A student may be admitted conditionally if they obtained 530 points or better on the TOEFL, provided that the student enrolls in an English language course and receives a TOEFL score of 550 at the end of the first semester of study. The student will be expelled from the program if these two conditions are not met. • The undergraduate degree should be in a subject that qualifies the student for the graduate major they want to pursue. Students with different majors in their undergraduate degrees may be admitted upon the recommendation of the department after studying the prerequisite courses assigned by the department. • The student must submit a letter of approval from their employer if they are employed. • Candidates should be health professionals or allied health professionals. Admission requirements for master programs: • The student must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized university with a CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00. • Students with a CGPA between 2.5 and 2.99 may be admitted conditionally. • The degree must be in a major that qualifies the student to study the master's program. • Students must meet the English language proficiency requirement. • Attachment of ‘no objection of study certificate’ from the authorities responsible for national service for male Emirati students (ages from 18 to 30 years old). • Attachment of a letter of study approval from the Kuwait Embassy Cultural Office for Kuwaiti students only. • Attachment of People of Determination card (if applicable). • In case the student works in a certain place, please attach a letter from the employer stating that the student is working for this agency. • For individuals with foreign qualifications, it is necessary to provide a Certificate of Equivalency.

English: For programs taught in English, a score of 550 in TOEFL (ITP) (or its equivalence), or 6 in IELTS must be obtained. Native English speakers are exempt from the English proficiency requirement if the language of instruction for their undergraduate studies was English. Additionally, students who graduated from academic institutions where English is used as the primary medium of instruction for bachelor’s studies are also exempt. Equivalent scores (EmSAT / paper-based TOEFL ITP / IELTS academic): 950-1075 / 450 / 4.5; 1100-1225 / 500 / 5.0; 1250-1375 / 530 / 5.5; 1400-1525 / 550 / 6.0. The paper-based TOEFL ITP is offered only by the University of Sharjah, AMIDEAST Dubai, and Abu Dhabi head offices. The UoS reserves the right to require students to attend an interview in the Languages Institute. Students may be required to take a further in-house test to ensure their scores are consistent with their English Language proficiency.