Counselling & Psychotherapy - Person Centred

M.A. in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Person Centred Modalities)
The programme is designed primarily for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of counselling and psychotherapy related This Masters programme in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Person-Centered Modalities) is designed for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of Counselling and psychotherapy related programmes as well as disciplines such as nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas.

This programme is suitable for graduates who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition and the contribution of advanced level counselling and psychotherapy practice using Person Centered Approaches that focus on the person’s perceptions of his or her present circumstances and assists the person in identifying his or her own answers to problems or obstacles in life. Please go to the structure section for an overview of the content covered in this programme.

This programme is for people who have a desire to be leaders and agents for change; recognising the special contribution of professional counsellors and psychotherapists using a range of scientifically established paradigms and approaches can make to individuals, their families, and communities in supporting individual recovery, wellbeing and also at policy and preventative levels in terms of public health models, thus enriching the lives of individuals and communities.

This programme enables learners to critically evaluate institutionalised practices and values, and act as agents for challenge and change in their professional contexts. The programme addresses the needs of practitioners and graduates who wish to develop their professional competence in areas of Counselling & Psychotherapy through advanced study in person-centred modalities , and through the professional placement and research elements, develop personal and professional capacity and collaborative problem-solving skills, underpinned by evidence-based practice and reflection.

It also helps graduates to meet international requirements for professional practice as set out by the EAP European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP). as well as provide leaders in professional practice who are capable of engaging with and initiating necessary professional discourse at policy levels.

This programme facilitates graduates of programmes in cognate areas who wish to study towards and meet professional Counselling and Psychotherapy Accreditation requirements of the EAP in relation to Psychotherapy accreditation.

This programme addresses the needs of practitioners and graduates who wish to develop their professional competence in Counselling & Psychotherapy through advanced study, and through the professional placement and research elements, develop personal and professional capacity and collaborative problem-solving skills, underpinned by evidence-based practice and reflection.

The programme is designed primarily for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of counselling and psychotherapy related programmes as well as graduates of disciplines such as, nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition and the contribution of advanced level Counselling and Psychotherapy practice.

It is taught using a combination of classroom-based and skill-based learning in practice settings. The programme utilises Blended learning for theoretic elements of engagement and thus allows the learner to access classes in person or using on-line facilities to allow for a better work/life/study balance while equipping the learner with the confidence, skills and competencies to work in the area of Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Successful completion of the programme provides learners with a QQI awarded Masters qualification in Person-Centred Modalities of Counselling & Psychotherapy. It is especially suited to those who work with (or seek to work with) individuals, families and communities exposed to or experiencing psychological/psychosocial challenges in a range of health or social care environments and enable them to specialise, lead and work for better outcomes for individuals with complex needs.

The programme responds to the increasing and expanding demand for evidence-based practice using recognised modalities of Counselling & Psychotherapy. More fundamentally it also equips leaders in the field of Counselling & Psychotherapy to respond to ever-changing social and cultural needs and to act autonomously in often unpredictable and ill-defined professional contexts.

Moreover, it enables students to employ counselling & psychotherapy competencies as tools for prevention and rehabilitation/recovery, based on person-centred philosophies by creating and modelling learning opportunities where all learners can participate successfully within the context of their own strengths and abilities.

This course will facilitate graduates of undergraduate counselling & psychotherapy related programmes as well as those from cognate areas or applicants with appropriate professional training (through RPL routes) who wish to study towards the completion of Level 9 studies on a programme that has been benchmarked against both the training standards set by the European Association of Counselling (EAC) and the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP).

Completion of the programme will assist graduates who wish to meet professional accreditation requirements for professional practice.

Structure of Course
On acceptance of their place on the course, learners would be required to attend an induction day. This covers all aspects of the programme content, delivery, assessment, and requirements. Induction provides the learner with an opportunity to become familiar with the environment, peers, and faculty members.

All learners complete this course on a part-time basis for over 2 years only. Attendance would normally require attendance in person (either in class or on Zoom) on 1 evening per week (6 pm to 10 pm) and Saturdays (9.30 am to 4.30 pm) over 3 semesters in the academic year.

The timetable has been structured to optimise the utilisation of online learning via Zoom where this allows, but skills-based components do require a certain amount of in-person attendance. This allows the flexibility for learner to access classes in person or using on-line facilities.

The following are the modules that have to be completed on this course which means a total of 90 ECTS have to completed for the Award of MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Person-Centered Modalities).

Mandatory Modules
Semester 1
• Theoretical Perspectives of Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy 5 ECTS
• Knowing Self 5 ECTS
• Applications of Person-Centered Counselling & Psychotherapy 5 ECTS

Semester 2
• Person-Centred Modalities & Therapeutic Group Work 5 ECTS
• Skills & Competencies in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy 5 ECTS
• Understanding Psychopathology 5 ECTS

Semester 3
• Knowing Self 5 ECTS

Semester 4
• Research Methodologies & Design 10 ECTS
• Elective 5 ECTS

Semester 5
• Practicum 15 ECTS
• Dissertation 30 ECTS

Semester 1
Each learner would study and submit for assessment 3 Modules in Semester 1 (15 ECTS). The focus of these modules are designed to provide learners with a fundamental understanding of the Principles and Practices of a range of Psychotherapeutic approaches (5ECTS), Skills and Competency focused learning (5 ECTS), the application of a range of modalities of practice (5ECTS) and are assessed on this work within the same Semester. Learners will also commence their ‘Knowing Self’ Module in Semester 1 and complete it in Semester 4 (5ECTS).

Semester 2
In Semester 2, learners will take a total of 20 ECTS of material, which focuses on Group Work as applied within a range of Modalities (5 ECTS). In addition, learners take a shared module to focus on Understanding Psychopathology (5ECTS) and commence their Practicum (Work-Based Learning) module, in which they are required to engage in 200 Hours of Clinically Supervised (Modality Specific) direct client work. This is a linear Module (15ECTS) and assessment of this occurs on a continuous basis until the end of Semester 5.

In this semester learners are also taught a module on Research Methodologies and Design (10ECTS) to support them with their Dissertation Module which is a Linear Module that commences in Semester 2 for completion in Semester 5.

Semester 3
learners continue to engage in Placements during Semester 3 under Clinical Supervision arrangements.

Semester 4
All students take a 5 ECTS Elective Module in Semester 4, where they can choose a theoretic Module associated with the Other Streams or one 5 ECTS Module from a list of common Elective Modules and submit assessments for the Knowing Self module.

Semester 5
In Semester 5 learners will complete their practice-based learning (15 ECTS) and their Dissertation(30ECTS)

What are the entry requirements for this course?
This programme is designed for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of Counselling related programmes as well as, nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition.

The knowledge, skills and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 Programme will normally require applicants to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Human Science Level 8 degree.

Those who have completed other relevant education programmes or have relevant professional experience etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard can also be considered. If you wish to apply for this programme, please click on the ‘Apply Now” tab. All applicants undertake a selection interview to support applicants to make an informed decision regarding their choice of programme and to ensure suitability.

Applicants should be driven by a desire to be leaders and agents for change; recognising the special contribution that professional psychotherapists using an Integrative approach can make to individuals, their families and communities in supporting individual recovery, wellbeing and also at policy and preventative levels in terms of public health models, thus enriching the lives of individuals and communities. Candidates will be required to attend for interview to ascertain their suitability for the programme.

Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.

2 Years (Part Time)

Available at our Dublin and Limerick Campuses

Start Date: September 2024

Where Can I progress to on completion of the course?
On successful completion of the MA in Counselling & Psychotherapy, learners will be qualified to access Level 10 Programmes on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).