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Queen's University Belfast

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Overview
This Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) provides theoretical and skills training to meet the minimum training required by British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) for accreditation to practice as a CBT therapist. PG Diploma trainees may apply to proceed to the specialist MSc which is offered over a further six-month period.

Why Queen's?
The Postgraduate Diploma has been accredited by the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy professional body, The British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) to Level 2 (meeting BABCP minimum training standards criteria for individual therapist accreditation on successful completion of the course).

Course Details
The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) consists of 4 x 30 credit modules, which are linked to the BABCP Minimum Training Standards for therapist accreditation (Level 2) and the Specialist Level award for social workers.

In Year 1, the Application of CBT Models and Skills for Depression and Anxiety module is the supervision module that runs in parallel with the first two modules, CBT for Depression and CBT for Anxiety Disorders.

CBT for other Specific and Complex Orders in Semester 1 of Year 2 incorporates both teaching and supervision.

Each module is taught one day per week over 3 x 12-week semesters at Queen's campus. Students must attend small group training supervision sessions at Queen's. Where possible, these will be delivered during the teaching days. They are designed to facilitate the integration of research and theory with practice, and the development of skills in CBT. Clinical accountability for CBT clinical practice remains with the agency responsible for the patients.

Entry requirements

A 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a cognate area or equivalent professional qualification(s) and at least two years clinical practice experience in a statutory or independent mental health or related setting. All applicants must:
Provide evidence of prior basic knowledge of psychological therapies preferably Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and
Be currently employed in a clinical or practice setting within an organisation providing therapeutic or counselling services, and
Be in a role for the duration of the Programme to access a suitable client group for practice and supervision purposes.

Applicants from a non-core profession will be expected to provide a portfolio of evidence and references to demonstrate suitable core knowledge, skills and attitudes in line with KSA guidelines produced by The British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). All applicants will be interviewed.

Please note: The closing date for applications to this programme is Tuesday 1st August 2017 at 4pm. Applications received after the closing date will be regarded as LATE and will be considered only if vacancies exist when all applications received by the closing date have been processed.

International Qualifications
For information on international qualification equivalents please select Your Country from the list on our International Students website. International students will need local placements to access clients for clinical training. Whilst these placements should normally be arranged by the applicants the university will try to negotiate a limited number of placements with local H&SC agencies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes. Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this programme, our partner INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability to entry to this programme.

English for University Study - an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level

Pre-sessional English - a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English

Duration

18 months part-time.

Learning and Teaching
The four PG Diploma modules are provided one day per week (2 per semester). Small group supervision is provided in the morning followed by workshop teaching for the remainder of the day.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy services are an expanding area of mental health services due to an increasing demand for evidence-based psychological therapies. The award of the PG Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will enable students to apply for professional employment as fully accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Further enquiries

School Postgraduate Office
School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work
Tel: 028 9097 3082
Email: pgsoc@qub.ac.uk
WWW: http://www.qub.ac.uk/soc

Lead Academic
Dr Michael Duffy

Comment

Special Features
This programme is jointly provided by the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work and the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

This programme has been accredited by the CBT professional body BABCP to Level Two (meets complete criteria for therapist accreditation).

Where students are also seeking Social Work Post-Qualifying awards for this pathway, there will be restricted access to relevant data by employers, the NISCC, the DHSSPS, HSC Boards and any successor bodies.

Assessment method

Essays, case studies, case presentations, supervision, DVD-recorded clinical sessions, portfolio.

Application date

Postgraduate Taught

In general, there are no closing dates for the majority of courses (those with closing dates will be highlighted in the Course Finder). However we advise you to apply as early as possible, particularly for those courses where there is a high demand for places. Early application is also important for international applicants to allow sufficient time to obtain a student entry visa.

Postgraduate Research

There is no standard closing date. You should however check both the Universitys website and refer to the relevant School/Institute webpage for information on deadline dates for postgraduate funding applications, as these will also determine when your application for admission should be submitted.