MSt: Written Assignments

As the current cohort of MSt students breathe a collective sigh of relief at having submitted their first assignment, let’s take a look at the written assignments which make up the MSt.

There are five assignments to complete throughout the course: two essays, a reflective analysis, a dissertation and a teacher training project. The first essay, completed by the end of the second term, is on neuroscience, and gives students the opportunity to delve into the science behind MBCT. Since this is an important area for current research in MBCT, it also makes for an exciting topic, as the literature is constantly developing and evolving. This essay gives students ample opportunity to look into recent developments in the field and to critically evaluate a topic of their choice.

The second essay, due at the end of the first year of study, asks students to investigate the relationship between Buddhist psychology and MBCT. Students will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of psychological processes from a Buddhist perspective whilst simultaneously developing their understanding of the theory and praxis of MBCT.

In the second year, the pace of the course picks up and students are expected to devote at least one full day per week to private study. The reflective analysis, due at the beginning of the second year, gives students the opportunity to think about what they have achieved so far and to consider the path ahead. This assignment is designed to allow students to reflect upon their personal experience of meditation practice, and to consider this in conjunction with the theory, research and clinical principle covered on the course.

At the beginning of the second year, students will also need to start thinking about the dissertation. Most students find the dissertation a particularly stimulating assignment, as it provides an opportunity to explore an area of interest in greater depth. Previous cohorts have completed chosen topics from a wide range of areas related to MBCT, with many seizing this chance to engage with recent research in their field of preference. Titles and abstracts need to be put forward at the beginning of the year, but the assignment is not due until the summer of Year II, so students have plenty of time to really explore in depth and to incorporate their learning from across the two years of the course.

Finally, there is the MBCT teacher training project. This assignment asks students to describe the development, delivery and evaluation of a programme of MBCT suitable for their chosen client group along, with copies of instructional materials (i.e. hand-outs, guided meditation other teaching resources). In addition to the written project report, all visual recordings of each session of the MBCT course, evaluated for adherence to protocol and competence as an instructor, form part of this assignment.