The Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a part-time programme running for 9 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

Completion of the certificate programme does not permit individuals to practice as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, interested candidates will need to progress to diploma / masters level to obtain a licence to practice.

Applicants for the Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy should normally:

1. hold a Honours Primary Degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. Nursing, Medicine, Social Work, Clinical Therapies, Education or other allied disciplines)
2. be a practising professional (Nursing, Medicine, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Education or other allied disciplines)
3. applicants who are practising health care professionals must provide evidence of current registration with the relevant professional regulatory body (e.g. the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (formerly An Bord Altranais), the Irish Medical Council, the Health & Social Care Professions Council (or equivalent regulatory body for pharmacists, occupational therapist, speech and language therapists etc.)) or be eligible for such registration. Applicants from allied disciplines or teachers must provide evidence of professional certification.
4. have a minimum of twelve months post registration experience working within a health care or education setting.
5. applicants must provide a 250 words statement as to how this programme will be useful in their work
6. In cases where the number of suitably qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available, preference will be given to practicing healthcare professionals in the field of mental health.

Students must complete modules to the value of 30 credits as follows:

MH6134 Theories of Human Development including Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy Theory (5 credits)
MH6135 Therapeutic Relationship in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) (5 credits)
MH6136 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) models of Mental Health Problems I (5 credits)
MH6137 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) models of Mental Health Problems II (10 credits)
MH6138 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) models of Mental Health Problems III (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
Students who have successfully completed and passed the Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and who satisfy the additional entry requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma (including the requirement from 2015/16 to have achieved 60% in MH6138 on the Postgraduate Certificate) may apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. A student must do so within 5 years from the date of first registration for the Postgraduate Diploma. Applicants who have passed the Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy but achieved less than 60% in MH6138 will be required to attend for interview.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate and apply a detailed knowledge of the key principles of developing and maintaining a collaborative therapeutic relationship within a CBT framework.
• Understand and critically evaluate human development, cognitive, and behaviour theory.
• Apply principles of human development, cognitive, and behaviour theories when working with people experiencing mental health problems.
• Critically appraise and evaluate the treatment rationales for the various CBT models.
• Critically evaluate the evidence base for utilising each CBT model for the specified problem.
• Critically appraise different CBT models of mental health problems.
• Apply the principles of each CBT model when working with people experiencing mental health problems.