DURATION: Two years, part-time    START DATE: Autumn 2024

Please note that Inductions will be held the week before the start date. You will receive full details with your timetable following your acceptance.

AWARD: MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

LEVEL: Level 7 FHEQ (Comparable to Level 9 NFQ)

FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) is the UK National Framework of Qualifications.

TIMETABLE: Weekends  - Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5.30 pm (approx. 1 weekend per month from October to June)   

ACCREDITATION: The course is aligned to meet the accreditation criteria for The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). Upon completion of Year 1 of the Programme, the College intends to engage with BABCP in order to obtain accredited course status. We endeavour to keep all students updated as to the outcome of this process. If you would like further information on the path to professional accreditation, please consult your relevant professional bodies’ websites.

Year 1: Postgraduate Certificate – 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)

• Theoretical Underpinnings of CBT
• Theory, Skills & Research: CBT for Anxiety Disorders
• Theory, Skills & Research: CBT for Depression
• Practitioner Competencies: Teaching & Supervised Skills Practice for Anxiety and Depression

Year 2: Postgraduate Diploma – 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)

• CBT: The New Generation
• Theory, Skills & Research: CBT for Complex Disorders
• Contemporary Applications: CBT in Specialised Areas
• Practitioner Competencies: Teaching & Supervised Skills Practice for Anxiety, Depression and Complex Disorders

Year 2: MSc Component – 60 credits (equivalent to 30 ECTS credits)

•  Dissertation

ADDITIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• 200 hours of clinical placement/client work (50 hours must be completed before the end of Year 1)
• Students are required to attend a BABCP accredited external supervisor for a minimum of 40 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 YEAR 1

• Level 6 FHEQ/Level 8 NFQ accredited degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy (final grade 2.2 or above)

OR

• Accredited Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy plus Level 6UK (or equivalent) degree in a related area plus submission of a clinical portfolio

OR

• A BABCP recognised Core Profession (Psychiatry, Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy) - please see BABCP's list of Core Professions here.

Applicants who do not meet this criterion may be eligible to enter the course 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. Please note that those interested in applying for BABCP accreditation post qualification and who do not have a BABCP recognised core profession will be required to apply to the BABCP for accreditation via a KSA portfolio application. This process is managed via BABCP and PCI College cannot guarantee eligibility.  For information about this accreditation route please click here.

APPLICATION PROCESS YEAR 1

• Send in Complete Application Form and Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)
• Copies of Transcripts (Confirming 2.2 on relevant Level 8 Degree or higher) or Copy of Career Portfolio
• and 500-word written statement on why you believe you are suitable for the course.

 All suitable candidates will be invited to interview

ELIGIBILITY YEAR 2

Students who hold a Postgraduate Certificate in CBT (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. Please note that those interested in applying for BABCP accreditation post qualification and who do not have a BABCP recognised core profession will be required to apply to the BABCP for accreditation via a KSA portfolio application. This process is managed via BABCP and PCI College cannot guarantee eligibility.  For information about this accreditation route please click here.

APPLICATION PROCESS YEAR 2

External Applicants – Graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate CBT:

• Send complete year 2 application form and deposit (online/hard copy)
• All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
• Places are limited (18). Selection is based on application and interview.

External Applicants

• Send complete year 2 application form & deposit (online/hard copy)
• Complete course comparison form including:
• Copy of current/previous course prospectus/course outline
• Transcript of results of all assessments/examinations
• Copy of all relevant qualifications
• Completed course comparison form
• Letter from counsellor to verify previous hours of personal therapy (if applicable)
• Letter from supervisor to verify hours of client work with varying presenting issues (must have completed at least 15% of the overall course requirement in the last 12 months) 

• Statement on why you feel you have met the Learning Outcomes for Year 1. (approximately 1000 words) 

 All suitable candidates will be invited to interview

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. 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

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.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is in demand as the treatment of choice, across a wide variety of settings, from private practice, HSE, addiction, E.A.P. and general mental health settings. In order to practice as an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist in Ireland, an individual must hold a Masters level qualification with accreditation in this area highly desirable. As the population's need is increasing, stakeholders are looking for qualified and accredited CBT therapists.

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 CBT skills are essential if they are to serve their clients in a more truly comprehensive way.

Avenue 2

Graduates may gain employment in Government-funded agencies and other organisations that prize CBT as a method of counselling and psychotherapy, for example, HSE settings, NHS, GP referrals, EAP organisations, etc.

Avenue 3

Graduates may increase their existing private practice services as psychotherapists who specialise in the area of CBT.

Avenue 4

Graduates may pursue supervision status with BABCP or other accredited organisations.

Avenue 5

A number of graduates choose to use their learning from this programme as a stepping-stone to further study in counselling and psychotherapy or the social sciences and participate in practice only insofar as they need to fulfil requirements in more advanced for example doctoral studies.

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.

FEES - Discounted fees for this new course

Year 1: €4,530* (Includes all academic and administration costs and charges)

Year 2: €3,910

Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma Prices available upon request.

*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.

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.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants should complete the online application form including the Initial Deposit of €80, which is deductible from course fees if the application is successful. Applicants are entitled to a full refund of the Initial Deposit if they decide to cancel within 14 days of receipt of their application.  Applications should be completed in full and returned with the appropriate deposit for the programme of choice. Any deposit paid is deductible from the programme fees if the applicant is successful in securing a place on the programme. Applicants are entitled to a full refund of the initial deposit if they decide to cancel within 14 days of receipt of their application, and haven't attended the interview. If the cancellation is before the programme commences, any monies held will be left on account for use for the next course intake. Any monies left on the account exceeding this timeframe will be forfeited. Please note that the name used on your application needs to be the same name that you have on your passport.

The balance of fees is payable in full before the course commences. Fees are non-refundable in all personal circumstances. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort. A full refund will be given to all applicants in the event that the class does not proceed.

Intake interviews will be arranged for suitable applicants. Applicants who are offered a place will be required to confirm acceptance in writing accompanied by an Acceptance Deposit of €1240 (€1220 acceptance fee and €20 Garda vetting fee). When an Applicant has accepted a place all tuition fees, including deposits, shall be fully non-refundable in all personal circumstances.

For more information, please visit our Terms & Conditions page.