Course Summary
This programme is designed to provide comprehensive education and advanced skills training for Health and Social Care Professionals working in mental health settings. Its overarching goal is to develop and enhance their competence in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP), enabling them to develop into autonomous and highly skilled Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists. Upon successful completion, graduates will be fully equipped to practice independently across a range of mental health care settings, delivering evidence-based interventions to support diverse client needs.
The programme is approved at Category 2 level by the NMBI and at level 9 fulfils the CNS criteria as laid out by the HSE. The HSE CNS career pathways was developed in line with the DoH (2019) A Policy on the development of Graduate to Advance Nursing and Midwifery Practice. As part of the HSE Interim CNS pathways candidates are required to be required to demonstrate that they have completed the required postgraduate education or agree and are supported to undertake the required postgraduate education, at level 9 qualification (equivalent to 60 ECTS or above) relevant to the specialist area.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) a minimum of 2.2 classification in a relevant Health Care Profession (e.g. Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy).
Professional Experience:
- Applicants must provide evidence of current registration with the relevant professional regulatory body (e.g. NMBI, the Health & Social Care Professions Council etc) and have post-qualification experience for a minimum of minimum of 3-5 years with clients presenting with a variety of mental health challenges.
- Currently employed in OR have access to an area of practice (500 hours during the calendar year Jan-Dec) where Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP) is employed as a treatment modality.
- Be able to provide evidence of support from their line manager/ director of services stating their support for the applicant to undertake the programme.
- Be able to provide a named CBP therapist within the area where placement will take place and their signed agreement to act as the students’ supervisor throughout their clinical placement.
Application Details
Flexible learning courses are popular, and they fill on a first come, first served basis. There are two major intake periods throughout the academic year, September and January.
For January start courses, applications typically open in October, and for September start courses, applications typically open in February. Closing dates for applications are listed on the individual course webpage.
Start Date: September 2026.
Fees
Total Fees: €14,000
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
Many of our Masters programmes are structured in a way that includes recognised entry and exit awards. This means that you can apply for part of Masters first and learn at your own pace or if you are unable to complete the full programme, you can still gain a recognised qualification. Our entry and exit awards typically include Postgraduate Certificate award and a Postgraduate Diploma award.
Duration
Study Hours
The course consist of 7 modules with a recommendation of 250-300 hours of study per module.
On-Campus Attendance
On-campus attendance is required on average once weekly throughout the academic year in Year 1 along with an additional days attendance once per month. Approximately 40 days attendance requirement Year 1 and minimal attendance required in Year 2.