Play Therapy - Cork

The MA in Play Therapy runs on a 2-year cycle. The next round of applications will be in 2024. Applications will open in February 2024 and interviews will be held in May 2024). The Course will begin in September 2024.

Course Delivery
3 years

The course lectures are delivered on a part time basis on Saturdays. However, 1 day a week is also required for placement (this must be during Social Work Office hours to facilitate child protection reporting). Students also have to consider time involved in Personal Therapy and academic study for course assignments. Students will be required to attend two block weekends – one in November and one in January.

Years 1 and 2 (60 credits) will include clinical training in Play Therapy. Students will study modules which will be experiential and theoretical. They will undertake placements in both years and will require external supervision from MTU approved supervisors. This supervision is not included in course fees and is outside class times.

On successful completion of the taught elements, students will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy, unless they proceed to Year 3.

Year 3 (30 credits) The MA in Play Therapy is awarded to candidates who successfully complete a module in research skills and a research dissertation.

Award
Master of Arts in Play Therapy (Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications).

What is a Module?
A module is a standalone unit of learning and assessment and is completed within one semester. A full-time student will normally study six modules in each semester; part-time and ACCS (Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Subjects) students will have flexibility as to the number of modules taken.

For more information on approved modules for this course go to
https://courses.cit.ie/index.cfm/page/course/courseId/index.cfm/page/course/code/CR_HPLTH_9

Applicants must hold a Level 8 Honours degree (H2.2) or higher, in one of the following areas: Counselling/ Psychotherapy, Early Years Education, Occupational Therapy, Primary Education, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing, Social Care, Social Work, Special Needs Education or a cognate discipline.

Applicants must be 25 years of age or older on 1st January of year of application; and have at least two years post qualifying experience of working with children. Applicants will be required to submit two references with their online application process. Applicants will be shortlisted to attend for interview based on their online applications.

National Vetting Bureau: MTU uses the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) to help assess the suitability of all applicants on this programme. It is important to note that participation in or completion of this programme may be affected by subsequent disclosure/discovery.

Application Closing Date:04/04/2022

Our next intake is September 2022

Applications close Monday 4th April 2022 for next intake.

Applicants will be shortlisted to attend for interview based on their online applications.

Please note that applicants will be required to pay an acceptance fee of €500 online if a place on a course is offered. This fee is deductible from the overall course fee.

Note: You will not be charged for applying for the programme by clicking the 'apply now' button, you are only asked to pay an acceptance fee if a place is offered to you and you wish to accept it.

Additional Information Document: please download and complete this document
(which is to be inserted with your online application form):

• Employment details
• Education and Training
• Personal Development experience
• Experience as a helper using Counselling Skills
• Confidential Personal Statement

Your application will not be processed unless the above document – Additional Information – is completed and uploaded to your application.

Please attach and upload any other relevant documents such as transcripts, CV, that support your application as applicants will be shortlisted based on evidence provided.

Two written references are also required for applicants. References should be completed and returned confidentially by the referees. The referees must email the Reference Form to Karen.OConnor@cit.ie by Monday 4th April 2022.

NATIONAL VETTING BUREAU
CIT uses the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) to help assess the suitability of all applicants on this programme. It is important to note that participation in or completion of this programme may be affected by subsequent disclosure/discovery.

M.A.: 90 ECTS
P.Grad.Dip.: 60 ECTS

2 years part-time.

EU Applicants: €6,900 (€2,300 per annum) Additional costing is outlined below.

Additional Costing

1. Clinical Supervision (from CIT approved supervisors) is not included in the course fees;

2. Personal Therapy - students are required to undertake approximately 50 sessions at their own expense

3. Setting up a playroom/rent a playroom also has to be considered.

Please note that the next intake for this programme will be September 2020.

Private practice as a Clinical Play Therapist
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services within the HSE
Play Therapist within the school setting / early years setting
Play Therapist within the homeless services
Play Therapist in community projects and Family Resource Centres
Expert witness in court proceedings

Graduates who successfully complete the MA in Play Therapy will have the specialised expertise in an emerging field of research, which in turn, will allow for professional supervision in niche areas