Irish College of Humanities & Applied Sciences

Introduction
Mental health interventions and appropriately qualified individuals trained to oversee those interventions continue to grow in importance in Ireland. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is generally seen as one of the best psychotherapeutic approaches to support and treat individuals to cope with a range of mental health issues. This Master’s in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is regarded as one of the most innovative programmes of its kind in Ireland. The programme sets out to develop professional practitioners who can work individually in professional practice or as part of multi-disciplinary team in a range of settings using CBT approaches

As part of this Masters programme, you will study the fundamental theories of cognitive behavioural therapy as well as advanced cognitive behavioural skills. There is also a module specifically supporting you to understand psychopathology. In addition you will study evidence based practice and research methods and design.

All of these modules are designed to support you to apply all these elements of learning during the 200 hours of client work you are required to engage with in a practicum module as well as in the completion of a dissertation. The programme combines both theory and practical skills in a way that supports the academic and professional development of the learner.

The course was revised in 2015 and is validated by Quality and Qualification Ireland (QQI) who have overall responsibility for the quality of 3rd level academic programmes in Ireland.

The course commences each September and can be taken on a full time or part-time basis. Likewise, individual modules may also be taken on a stand alone basis. Taught Modules are taken across two twelve week terms through a combination of classroom based modules as well as some that are blended. Blended learning combines face to face and web based teaching and learning, which allows the learner to access classes in person or using on-line facilities to allow for a better work/life/study balance. In certain modules mandatory attendance is a requirement.

How can I complete this Course?

Students can complete this course on either a full-time or part-time basis. Class participation for classroom based teaching normally requires attendance on 1 evening per week (6pm to 10pm) and Saturdays (9.30am to 4.30pm) over 2 semesters in the academic year (September to December and January to April).

Full-time students commit to the programme for one year and complete their taught modules including the Practicum and Dissertation in that period of time.

Part-time students commit to the programme for two years and they normally complete their taught modules in the first year and spend their second year working on their Practicum and Dissertation. Please refer to timetables for exact times and dates.

The programme is taught using a combination of classroom based and blended learning techniques. This allows the learner to access classes in person or using on-line facilities. In certain modules attendance will be a mandatory requirement.

Features
There are numerous avenues for the application of expertise in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, with new areas of employment opening up all the time. Traditionally it has been seen as a one to one profession but in the last decade this has changed hugely. Now graduates of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can be found in areas such as schools, colleges, prisons, hospitals , palliative care and of course in Private Practice.

The Government has committed to increased funding of mental health initiatives as part of the national counselling service.For many the opportunity to work in private practice as a professional Cognitive Behavioural Therapist is hugely important.

This qualification offers many opportunities for employment and with the introduction of statutory regulation, the importance of QQI element of this programme should not be underestimated.