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PCI College

Child & Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy

MSc in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapeutic Skills

This course is designed for students who wish to gain specialist training and a Middlesex University Masters qualification in counselling & psychotherapy for teenagers and children under 18.

It will provide you with the theoretical background and practical skills to work with children and adolescents in a therapeutic setting, with particular emphasis on working through creative approaches.

Exploring creative media such as art, sandplay, therapeutic storytelling, drama, music and other approaches, this course places significant emphasis on experiential learning and the acquisition of key skills for work with young clients. It draws on established and current theory in counselling and psychotherapy, up to date approaches in child and adolescent mental health, lifespan development, family systems and trauma.

Students will also engage in clinical placement work of 100 hours over the duration of the course to put into practice the skills and knowledge gained in the programme. Individual clinical supervision will be required and personal therapy is required for students.

The course is suitable for counsellors/psychotherapists, social workers, guidance counsellors, psychologists, youth workers, teachers and other related disciplines that work therapeutically with those under 18.

Entry requirements

This course is recommended for counsellors, psychotherapists, teachers, guidance counsellors, youth workers, social workers, social care workers, psychologists and others working with children and adolescents.

Garda Vetting:
Students will be requested to participate in Garda Vetting procedures in relation to programme and accreditation requirements.

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 application.

Entry Requirements:
Year One:
Students entering the MSc course must hold a relevant honours degree (Level 7 NFQ or equivalent; Final grade 2.2 or above).

Applicants who do not meet this criteria 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 submitted with your application.

Application Process for Year 1
• Send in Complete Application Form & Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)
• Copies of Transcripts (Confirming 2.2 on relevant Level 7 Degree or higher) or Copy of Career Portfolio
• and 500-word written statement on why you believe you are suitable to the course.
• All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
• Selection is based on application and interview.

Year Two:
Students who hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy (PCI College or equivalent) may apply for entry to Year 2 of the course.

Students who do not meet this 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 submitted with your application.

Application Process for Internal Applicants Year 2
(Graduates of PCI Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy)
• Send in Complete Year 2 Application Form & Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)
• All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
• Places are limited (18). Selection is based on application and interview.

Application Process for External Applicants Year 2
• Send in 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 Children or Adolescents (must have completed at least 15% of 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
• Selection is based on application and interview.

Duration

2 years (24 months) part-time. The course will take place at weekends (Saturday & Sunday, approx. 1 weekend per month from October to June) and the full provisional timetable will be available shortly.

Venue: Dublin West & Limerick

Careers or further progression

Career Path:
Students who graduate from the MSc in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapeutic Skills will be equipped to work with children and adolescents (under 18) in a therapeutic setting. Career opportunities may include working for state and voluntary organisations, schools, community care centres, mental health organisations, youth organisations, integrating the skills with any qualifications that students have already achieved.

Please note that this course does not qualify you as a professional, accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist. As an addition to your existing professional qualification, it will allow you to work with Children & Adolescents in a therapeutic setting.

If it is your intention to become a professional Counsellor/Psychotherapist, accredited by the IACP, please see our BSc (Honours) Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy course for more details.

Validation
Our university validated programmes are developed, delivered and assessed by PCI College and awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University. A qualification from Middlesex University London is internationally recognised both within the EU and outside the EU. Brexit negotiations will have no impact on these facts.

Further enquiries

Interested in finding out more?
You can contact us at (01) 464 2268 or enquiries@pcicollege.ie

Subjects taught

Each module is 30 hours duration. Modules are assessed by written and practical assignments.

Year 1 Modules:
• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy / Therapeutic Play Skills
• Family Therapy and Working with Parents
• Counselling & Psychotherapy Skills
• Creative Therapies Sandplay and Therapeutic Storytelling

Year 2 Modules:
• Theories Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy & Counselling
• The Effects of Trauma and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder on the Child and Adolescent
• Child Development and Mental Health
• Creative Therapies Art, Clay, Music, Drama, Puppets
• Case Study & Dissertation

Additional Course Requirements:
• 100 hours clinical placement / client work
• Students are required to attend an external supervisor for a minimum of 20 hours one-to-one supervision
• 25 hours of Personal Therapy is a requirement for all students. A minimum of 15 hours Personal Therapy must be completed by students who are not qualified counsellors/psychotherapists before commencing Client Work.

Comment

Award: Middlesex University MSc In Child And Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapeutic Skills

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

This programme was developed and is delivered and assessed by PCI College, awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University. FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) is the UK National Framework of Qualification.

Assessment method

Written and practical assignments.

Application date

Application Deadline: 25th August 2018

Course fee

Fees:
PCI College tuition fees for the MSc in Child and Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapeutic Skills beginning in September 2018 are as follows:
• Year 1: 3,670* + Middlesex University Registration Fee 1,200**
• Year 2: 4,250

*Please note that fees include a 20 charge for Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry.

**Once off fee paid in first year

Additional Course Costs
Course fees do not cover costs associated with Additional Course Requirements (Personal Therapy & Supervision). Fees for Supervision and Personal Therapy are decided by negotiation between you and your Supervisor and Therapist. The average cost for supervision is approximately 60. Personal therapy may also average about 60 per session.

Application Process
Applicants are invited to complete and return the online Application Form. Applications must be accompanied by an Initial Deposit of 250, 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. Should an application be unsuccessful or cancelled by the applicant following this 14 day period, an administration fee of 60 is charged and the balance of 190 refunded. 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.

Enrolment and start dates

Next Start Date: 22nd September 2018

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