MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioural Modalities)

Program Overview

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MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioural Modalities)

Overview

This programme helps practitioners and graduates enhance their professional competence in counselling and psychotherapy through advanced study, professional placement, and research. It fosters personal and professional growth, collaborative problem-solving skills, and evidence-based practice.

Course Details

• Type: Postgraduate
• Duration: Two Years Part-Time
• Validated by: QQI (by ICHAS)
• Mode: Part-Time
• Campus: Dublin Main Campus / Limerick
• NFQ Level: 9

Course Overview

This programme addresses the needs of practitioners and graduates who wish to develop their professional competence in counselling and psychotherapy, with a particular focus on cognitive behavioural approaches.

The overall aims of the MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioural Modalities) are to:

• Successful completion of the programme provides learners with a QQI-awarded Master's qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Modalities of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
• Provides a modularised and scaffolded developmental structure across the study duration, designed to contribute to the requirements of relevant Professional Associations for professional Accreditation.
• Meets the requirement of professional accreditation with the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists (APCP) and the National Association for Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy
• This programme has been mapped against the training standards for Psychotherapy issued by the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP).
• This programme is congruent to provide accessible and flexible programmes to adult learners. It has been designed with particular emphasis on using blended learning technologies to support traditional classroom learning.
• This programme supports learners to develop personally & professionally to enable them to achieve a Master's Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy focusing on Cognitive Behavioural Modalities.
• Develop learner's knowledge, skills & competence to an appropriate level of ‘Higher Order Practice’
• Modules within the programme are designed to build personal capacity, collaborative problem-solving skills and an understanding of the systems and context within which individuals may be best supported.
• The programme provides a progression opportunity to complete various Programmes at Level 10 nationally and internationally.

Intake Dates

• Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
• Limerick - Part-Time - September 2025
• Dublin - Part-Time - September 2026
• Limerick - Part-Time - September 2026

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy

Related Article

• Why study a Counselling and Psychotherapy Course in Dublin?

Module Outline

Theories of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

The aim of this module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of Cognitive Behavioural approaches to Counselling & Psychotherapy necessary to work with clients. Learners will focus on theoretical basis for Cognitive Behavioural approaches over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for the range of explanatory theories and practices associated with this modality of Practice.

Research Methodologies & Design

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the differing approaches and methods used for the generation of evidence.

Skills & competencies in Cognitive Behavioural Modalities

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate skills and competencies used in Cognitive Behavioural Counselling & Psychotherapy. Learners will focus on the central place of the Therapeutic Relationship and the role of the practitioner in supporting and facilitating change over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for Cognitive Behavioural approaches.

CBT Modalities & Therapeutic Group Work

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate the use of Therapeutic Group Work in Cognitive Behaviouralal Counselling & Psychotherapy. Learners will focus on the central place of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy based Groups and the role of the practitioner in supporting and facilitating change over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for Group Based Cognitive Behavioural approaches.

Understanding Psychopathology

The aim of this module is to help the learner achieve a higher order understanding of the importance of mental illness and disorder in the context of psychotherapeutic activities.

Knowing Self

The Module will focus on the development of in-depth ‘personal’ knowledge through structured forms of psychotherapeutic engagement. This module will offer an experientially orientation introduction to personal psychotherapeutic experience.

Applications of Contemporary Cognitive Behavioural Approaches

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in differing contexts and with differing populations.

Practicum

The aim of this module is to support learners to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitude to work within applied settings at a higher order level using a defined structure to enhance ongoing performance. The fields of Counselling & Psychotherapy have dimensions that extend beyond the acquisition of theoretic knowledge alone and the professional Practicum placement affords the opportunity for learning to take place in appropriate professional contexts. This module aims to extend the professional experience of learners through exposure to varied counselling and psychotherapeutic approaches and philosophies, and allow them the opportunity to experience a range of service provision models. This experience will allow learners to reflect critically on issues relating to quality and delivery of practice. The module will further explore the concepts of professionalism, ethical practice and continuing professional development, enabling learners to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes for dealing with issues both personal and professional.

Dissertation

As a capstone module, the aim is to facilitate students to complete a research project, drawing on their own learning within the programme and enabling them to focus on an area of specialism that is of particular interest and relevance to their own practice. The Dissertation module (30 ECTS) will be a culmination of the research-based practice/independent practice and in the form of an Academic Dissertation.

Entry Requirements

• 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.
• Applicants will normally have 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.
• All applicants undertake a selection interview to support applicants to make an informed decision regarding their choice of programme and to ensure suitability.
• Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.
• If English is not your native language, you must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement. The minimum English language proficiency requirement for this programme is B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The College is committed to the recognition of prior learning attained both formally and informally. It may be recognised either to facilitate access to a higher education programme or to allow an award of credit as in the case of allowing exemption from a module.

It is the responsibility of the learner to make a formal written application to the College requesting an exemption and supplying all appropriate supporting evidence, i.e. transcript of results and module descriptor/syllabus including intended learning outcomes. Recognised prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis with an emphasis on academic and clinical experience.

Tuition Fees

Irish/EU citizens, living In Ireland

• Dublin Main Campus: €7,800.00
• Limerick Campus: €7,800.00

This includes a 2% PEL levy.

Additional Requirements and Costs

• Please be aware that Personal Therapy and Clinical Supervision have to be completed as part of the programme and the costs associated with these are extra and not included in tuition fees.

Flexible Payment Options

Students wishing to avail of an instalment plan should contact the College.

Students who opt for an instalment plan will incur an extra annual fee of €150 to avail of this facility.

Progression

• Progression: 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).
• Career Options: This programme is designed to meet the requirement of professional accreditation with the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists (APCP) and the National Association for Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy. Graduates from this programme can be found working in various settings across the caring profession and can be found working in such as:
  • Private Practice
  • HSE
  • Addiction Treatment Centres
  • Pieta House
  • Aiseiri
  • My Move Counselling Services
  • Tusla
  • Social Care
  • Mental Health Nursing