MSc in Psychotherapy

The M.Sc in Psychotherapy is a four-year part-time programme at Level 9 NFQ (120 credits). Students may exit after two years with a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy (60 credits). The programme comprises taught modules including the principles and practices of humanistic, cognative-behavioural, psychodynamic and systemic approaches. The M.Sc programme fosters an inquiry based attitude in psychotherapy theory, practice and research. The programme, based on an integrative approach, provides students with an opportunity to work psychotherapeutically with a diversity of clients with complex and multifaceted needs. 

Students will also be able to develop specialist expertise in particular fields of psychotherapy - including couples therapy and psychosexual therapeutic practice. It also includes supervision of research and clinical work to facilitate completion of a research thesis and a professional practice portfolio. The M.Sc programme is designed to equip students to undertake therapeutic practice with individuals and couples. The course is delivered in Dublin City University via block teaching (approximately three days per month) over the academic year September to May.

• To provide students with the opportunity to gain a breadth of knowledge and experience in different therapeutic modalities.
• To develop an in-depth knowledge of an Integrative approach to Psychotherapy.
• To stimulate students to become reflective practitioners who are sensitive to and led by the needs of the client.
• To equip students with the knowledge, common factor skills and core competencies to enable them to establish a good working alliance and practise safely and effectively as psychotherapists.
• To provide a stimulating inquiry based learning environment for conducting a practice based research study that forms the basis of their final thesis.
• To develop and enhance the capacity for a constructive critical awareness and analytical thinking informed by as well as applied to theory, practice and research.
• To stimulate students in disciplined experiential practice and personal inquiry to enhance the capacity to respond to clients at an implicit emotional and relational level.

• Comprehensive Psychotherapy Framework including sequential qualifications at Graduate Diploma, Masters and Doctorate levels.
• Develop expertise in an integrative approach to Psychotherapy.
• Develop specialist knowledge in couples therapy and psychosexual therapeutic practice
• Access to clinical placements.
• Experienced lecturing team comprising experienced and accredited psychotherapists and clinical supervisors.

Career Prospects:

There are career prospects for counsellors and psychotherapists within the Statutory, Education, Voluntary and Private sectors. Due to the programme's specialism, you will find specialist psychotherapeutic practice with individuals and couples. Alternatively, researchers in qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research projects are always in demand.

Entry Requirements:

For admission to the M.Sc. in Psychotherapy, entrants will normally:

• Have a relevant undergraduate degree (for example, though not exhaustively, social science, psychology, nursing, community development, education etc.) or equivalent or have successfully completed the Access Programme
• Have one to two year's recent relevant professional experience (for example, voluntary counsellor/helpline worker, social work, teaching or nursing background)
• Be able to demonstrate personal readiness and suitability for psychotherapy training
• Successfully undertake a selection interview