Role: Programme Leader – MSc Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Reporting to: Head of Postgraduate Programmes
Purpose of the role:
The Programme Leader for the MSc CBT is responsible for the overall management of this programme. The role encompasses leading the Lecturing Team and ensuring the programme meets the quality standards required by PCI College and any respective regulatory, validating and accrediting bodies.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Leadership and Faculty Management
- To provide academic leadership and guidance to the faculty and lecturing teams allocated to the CBT programme.
- Oversee programme support structures (e.g., module leaders, clinical management, etc.), ensuring effective communication and addressing academic and staff/student-related issues.
- To chair relevant lecturing team meetings and encourage collaboration and team building.
- To oversee the management of MSc Appeals, Fitness to practice/Study.
- To provide relevant guidance to the Clinical Manager.
- To monitor the CPD needs of the MSc lecturing team and recommend CPD where necessary.
- To directly manage the MSc Faculty team, including monitoring of annual leave, time in lieu and management of the appraisal process.
Quality Assurance
- To have knowledge of all PCI College Quality Assurance Policies and Procedures.
- To ensure the high quality of all relevant programme documentation in conjunction with the Academic Administrator.
- To ensure that clinical practice elements, including placements, meet the minimum standards of best practice as applicable to accrediting, validating, regulatory bodies and PCI College.
- To provide advice on programme matters, including attendance at all validating body meetings, accrediting body meetings and Assessment Boards.
- To input into the RPL application decision making process for MSc applicants.
- To advise on the recruitment and deployment of MSc teaching staff in conjunction with the Head of Postgraduate Programmes.
- To communicate and liaise with PCI College Senior Management team and report as required.
Course Development and Delivery
- To have overall responsibility for programme content and course materials, working closely with the Academic Administrator to ensure all module materials are relevant, up-to-date, and follow copyright laws.
- To ensure the programme continues to meet the needs of stakeholders within the changing context of Statutory Regulation etc.
- To lead revalidation cycles of the programme as they arise, aligning to PCI College strategy, regulatory, validating and accrediting bodies requirements.
- To organise academic webinars where required, ensuring they align with programme objectives and provide valuable learning opportunities for students.
- To be responsible for engaging with Student Voice Leaders, ensuring their feedback is responded to and actioned.
Relevant academic and administrative duties
- To take a role on the interview panel ensuring all entry requirements are met and assessed as per college, validating and accrediting body standards.
- To assist MSc Faculty, Student Services and Programmes Office with the resolution of student issues as needed.
- To attend any meetings where MSc Programme Leader input is necessary.
- Contribute to any annual updates required for the programme handbook and narratives in collaboration with the Academic Administrator.
- Contribute to the moderation and delivery of assessments.
- Manage the operational aspects of annual and cyclical programme reviews, including preparing documentation, scheduling review activities, ensuring timely submissions, and coordinating responses to feedback from accrediting and validating bodies.
- To communicate and liaise with PCI College Senior Management team and report as required.
- To jointly provide guidance and information on entry requirements to Student Recruitment & Marketing for RPL applications and exemptions.
Student Support and College Representation
- Endeavour to answer student enquiries by ensuring full knowledge of policies & procedures and refer to other departments within the College when the information is not readily available.
- Regularly review and address student feedback or issues, ensuring a proactive approach to resolving concerns and enhancing their overall experience at the College.
- Work closely with the Clinical Manager in the sign off and approval stages of student client work.
- Support the Placement Strategy and Development Manager in identifying appropriate student placements.
- Monitor student readiness for client work and oversee each student’s progress with client work for the duration of their studies.
- Conduct 2 Progress Review Meetings (PRMs) annually with students and the Clinical Manager.
- Hold reviews annually with clinical supervisors regarding student progress and to provide support.
- Provide two CPD sessions each year for clinical supervisors by way of maintaining BABCP standards.
- Advocate for the programme as a brand ambassador, becoming the face of the programme and the main point of contact for public engagements.
- Engage with the Marketing team for advertisement purposes.
- Attend PCI College Events, e.g. open evenings, taster days, public lectures, class visits and external events.
Teaching and personal continuing professional development
- To lecture across a number of modules on the MSc CBT and other relevant programmes.
- To maintain own continuing professional development.
Experience & Qualifications – Essential
- BABCP Accredited
- Minimum MSc level qualification in CBT
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience in higher education, ideally within a counselling or psychotherapy context.
- Strong understanding of academic frameworks, including quality assurance, curriculum development, and assessment strategies.
- Demonstrable experience in managing academic teams or departments.
- Ability to oversee programme compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and validation standards.
- Ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders, including accrediting bodies, faculty, students, and industry professionals.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Proven experience in producing engaging curriculum with meticulous attention to detail.
- Strong IT Skills including Microsoft Office packages and good research and editing skills.
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
Experience & Qualifications – Desirable
- Experience in Programme Development.
- Experience developing and implementing quality assurance frameworks and addressing gaps in compliance.