DURATION: Two years, part-time    START DATE: 5th October 2024 (Orientation), Lectures Commence 12th October 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). The college has commenced the accreditation process and will endeavour to keep 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
• Students must join the BABCP as student members whilst undergoing CBT training within the programme.

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, Occupational Therapy, and others) - 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.

APPLICATION PROCESS YEAR 1 FOR GRADUATES OF LEVEL 9 SPA CBT

• Send in Complete Application Form and Deposit.
• Copies of Transcripts including completed certificate for level SPA in CBT
• And, a 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.

REGISTATION WITH BABCP

We require that all successful applicants to MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy course must register as student members of the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), as it is an integral component of their enrolment. This affiliation with BABCP ensures that our students have access to a wealth of resources and professional support, allowing them to excel in their studies and future careers. As a member of BABCP, students will benefit from networking opportunities, cutting-edge research, and industry insights, all of which are invaluable in the field of behavioural and cognitive psychotherapies. 

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 highly desirable area. As the population's needs increase, so does the demand for qualified and accredited CBT therapists by organisations and stakeholders.

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 €80. 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 €1270. 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.

The MSc CBT is a comprehensive professional training course focused on the acquisition, refinement and application of CBT skills across a variety of presenting issues and settings. The course is designed to enhance trainees’ existing qualifications. Applicants include counsellors and psychotherapists and those from a BABCP recognised core profession (Psychiatry, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Art Therapy, and others). See the full list below:

Core Professions List

The professions listed here have had a substantial amount of mental health training and meet accreditation requirements for knowledge and experience in mental health. If you don’t have one of these professions and fully meet these criteria, you should complete a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes KSA Portfolio.

Core Professions List and Criteria

• Arts Therapists – Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Registered
• Counselling – Accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Accred),  Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA), Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals’ National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate (FDAP NCAC) or National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (previously National Counselling Society) - Accredited Professional Registrant (PNCPS Accred)
• Medicine – Psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MBChB or MBBS, and usually PG training with membership of MRCGP, MRCP or MRCPsych
• Nurse - NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse, or NMC Registered Learning Disability Nurse
• Occupational Therapy – BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, or Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists (DipCOT) and HCPC Registered
• Psychotherapy/ Psychotherapeutic Counselling – United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered
• Social Work – Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW), Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), MA Social Work, or BA/BSc Hons Social Work. Registered with one of four UK regulators - Social Work England (SWE), Social Care Wales (SCW), Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) *or previously registered with HCPC
• Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology - Post-graduate doctorate in clinical or counselling psychology and HCPC Registered as Practitioner Psychologist
• Educational Psychology - Doctorate or Qualification in Educational Psychology Stage 2 (QEPS) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
• Health Psychology – Qualification in Health Psychology Stage 2 (QHP) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
• Forensic Psychology – Qualification in Forensic Psychology Stage 2 (QFP) - must have BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist

Core Professions prior to 1 October 2020

If you were admitted on to a Level 2 accredited course before 1 October 2020 using the criteria below, you can still apply for Accreditation without completing a KSA.

If this applies to you and you were offered a place in 2020, please keep evidence of the date you were offered a place on the course. You will need to submit it with your Level 2 Provisional Accreditation. Students admitted to any other courses after this time should use the new list above.

• Arts Therapists – HCPC Registered
• Counselling – Accredited with the BACP, IACP, COSCA, or FDAP (NCAC), or Registered Member CPC
• Medicine – Psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MBChB or MBBS, and usually PG training with membership of MRCGP, MRCP or MRCPsych
• Occupational Therapy – BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, or Dip C.O.T and HCPC Registered
• Probation Services – DipPS
• Psychotherapy / Psychotherapeutic Counselling - UKCP Registration
• Registered Nurse – Mental Health (RMN), or Learning Disability (general nursing and enrolled nursing is insufficient)
• Social Work – CQSW, DipSW or BA/BSc Hons Social Work
• Teacher of Special Education / Needs – CertEd, B.Ed, or BA/BSc with PGCE, plus additional specialist training in Special Education, with additional counselling / psychotherapy training
• Psychology – 1st degree plus a post-graduate qualification (MSc or Doctorate) in an applied area such as clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health psychology –evidence of the applied element is required (placements etc within the training). If you have practiced as an applied psychologist in the UK, you will also be HCPC Registered as a Practitioner Psychologist.