MSc Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Year 2 Pathway
This course pathway only applies only to applicants who already hold relevant qualifications
This Year 2 pathway is for experienced practitioners and prior learners who meet the Postgraduate Certificate entry criteria or can demonstrate equivalent professional learning and clinical experience. On this route you begin the MSc Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy programme directly at Year 2, completing both the Postgraduate Diploma-level modules and the Master’s research component within one academic year.
This pathway acknowledges your existing skills and positions you to progress efficiently through advanced clinical studies, deepen your theoretical and therapeutic competence, and complete a research dissertation that reflects your practice.
Who is this course for?
Ideal applicants are counsellors, psychotherapists or other allied practitioners who:
- Hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy (PCI College or equivalent).
- Have substantial, relevant professional experience and can submit a robust portfolio of evidence demonstrating prior learning and clinical capability.
If you do not hold the formal postgraduate certificate but believe your experience meets the standards for progression, you can apply through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by providing evidence of your knowledge, skills and clinical practice.
What are the benefits of doing this course?
When you enter at Year 2, your study comprises two key components:
Postgraduate Diploma-level modules
These build on foundational knowledge and focus on advanced clinical theory and practice with children and adolescents. Core areas include understanding family systems, contemporary approaches to child psychology and mental health, trauma-informed practice, and creative therapeutic competencies.
MSc Research Component
Alongside these modules, you complete the dissertation, a piece of independent research that integrates theoretical insight with clinical understanding. This is a significant part of the Master’s award and supports your development as a reflective, evidence-informed practitioner.
Practical experience is a central part of the programme. In Year 2 you continue your clinical placement hours and work under external supervision, strengthening your ability to apply theory to real therapeutic contexts with children and adolescents. Minimum clinical placement and supervision requirements help ensure your practice is grounded, ethical and reflective.
What will you learn?
By completing Year 2 on this pathway, you will:
- Deepen your understanding of child and adolescent developmental and mental health theory.
- Build advanced therapeutic skills for working creatively and reflexively with young clients.
- Produce a substantial piece of research that demonstrates your ability to integrate clinical insight with academic rigour.
- Strengthen your readiness for autonomous practice and future professional recognition.
Year 2
Postgraduate Diploma – 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)
- Family Systems – An Integrative Approach
- Theories of Child Psychology & Mental Health (Contemporary approaches)
- Introducing Trauma in Childhood and Adolescence
- Competencies in creative practice with Children and Adolescents (Trauma Specialism)
Additional Course Requirements
- 100 hours of clinical placement/client work (25 hours must be completed before the end of Year 1)
- Students are required to attend an accredited external supervisor for a minimum of 20 hours of one-to-one supervision
- 20 hours of Personal Therapy is a requirement for all students
Assessment
Assignments
There are no formal examinations, giving students more opportunities to concentrate on their assignments and their own self-exploration throughout their journey.
Eligibility
Students who hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy (PCI College or equivalent) may apply for entry to Year 2 of the course.
Students who do not meet these criteria may be eligible to enter Year 2 on the basis of prior learning and experience in the area. Students applying on the basis of prior learning must provide evidence of their knowledge, skill and ability to pursue this programme of study. This should be in the form of a career portfolio outlining and demonstrating your career path as is relevant to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must be submitted with your application.
Language Requirements
All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 6 at the undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate level or an equivalent score of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Cambridge, which denotes a very good skill level of English. Language certifications must have been issued within the last two years at the time of application. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.
Garda Vetting
Students will be requested to participate in Garda Vetting procedures in relation to programme and accreditation requirements.
IT Skills
Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course
Additional Entry Requirements
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.
Fees
Applicants should complete the online application form including the initial application fee of €80. This application fee is separate from the tuition fees, should your application be successful. This application fee is non-refundable if it has been longer than 14 days after the application has been received, or if you have been interviewed and deemed to be an unsuitable candidate for the programme you applied for.
*Please note that there is an additional charge of €20 for the Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry and it is not included in the above fees.
**PCI College BSc Counselling & Psychotherapy Graduates Student Discount*** €350 Off Year 1 Fees
Course Fees – Republic of Ireland
Course Total
Payment Plan
Pay in 18 monthly instalments, through the monthly payment plan. Please note that this plan will operate by direct debit only and is inclusive of a €100.00 administration fee. Each student must pass the progression board to enable them to move into the next year of study and the payment schedule outlined below.
Additional Course Costs
Course fees do not cover costs associated with additional course requirements (personal therapy and supervision). Fees for supervision and personal therapy are decided by negotiation between you and your supervisor and therapist. The average cost of supervision is approximately €60. Personal therapy may also average about €60 per session.
Career Path
On successful completion of this programme, graduates can decide on the course of action most appropriate to their needs and ambitions. The following avenues are open to them:
Avenue 1
Graduates may choose to continue working in employment settings where a child and adolescent psychotherapy skills are essential if they are to serve their clients in a more truly comprehensive way.
Avenue 2
Graduates may choose to specialise in an area of helping that appeals to them for their own particular reasons, for example working specifically with adolescents, working in the area of creative practice, etc.
Avenue 3
Graduates may increase their existing private practice services as psychotherapists who specialise in the area of children and adolescents.
Avenue 4
Graduates may provide services to court proceedings by way of experts in assessment and report writing.
Avenue 5
Graduates may take employment within child and family government agencies, such as TUSLA.
Avenue 6
Graduates may take employment within school settings where counsellor positions are available.
Please note that this course is a supplementary qualification. On its own, the course won’t enable you to work as a counsellor. If you seek a professional qualification as a counsellor and/or accreditation, we would advise you to first complete our BSc (Honours) Degree Counselling & Psychotherapy. After completing the degree course, you could then specialise in an area of interest with this MSc course. On the other hand, you could enrol in this course, if eligible, and incorporate what you have learnt into your daily working life.
If it is your intention to become a professional counsellor/psychotherapist, accredited by the IACP, please see our BSc (Honours) Degree Counselling & Psychotherapy course for more details.
Validation
Our university validated programmes are developed, delivered and assessed by PCI College and awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University. A qualification from Middlesex University London is internationally recognised both within the EU and outside the EU. Brexit negotiations will have no impact on these facts.
Application Process
Year 2 applicants should complete the online application form within the comparison course table, including the application fee of €100.
Intake interviews will be arranged for suitable applicants. Applicants who are offered a place will be required to confirm acceptance accompanied by an Acceptance Deposit of €1270. When an Applicant has accepted a place all tuition fees, including deposits, shall be fully non-refundable in all personal circumstances.