Blended Learning Programme

Level 9 Master of Science in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy

Developed in conjunction with Visiting Professor John McLeod, this innovative Master’s provides a comprehensive understanding of both Pluralism & Research. (QQI Validated and IACP Accredited)

Professor John McLeod
(Visiting Professor)

  • Award: MSc in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy (QQI Validated and IACP Accredited)

  • Starting: TBC

  • Delivery: This programme is facilitated through monthly three day blocks (usually Friday to Sunday)

  • Language requirement: If English is your second language you are required to submit an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) cert at Level 6.5, or equivalent. For more information please click HERE

  • Duration: 2 Years

  • Annual Fees: €4,350
  • Apply Online: Click here to register your interest

Introduction

Developed in conjunction with Visiting Professor John McLeod, this programme aims to enable existing professionals working within the field of counselling and psychotherapy to achieve a Master of Science in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy.

A pluralistic perspective is an integrative approach to Counselling and Psychotherapy that embraces and considers multiple causes and responses to psychological distress. The aim of the programme is to equip practitioners with an up-to-date, cutting edge training to meet the needs of contemporary society. It also aims to identify and develop leadership and collaborative qualities in those involved in therapeutic practice. Graduates from this programme will have the necessary knowledge, skills and competence to act as research-practitioners.

The programme aims to enable graduates to analyse their own practice and the profession as a whole. We strive to facilitate learners in the creation of evidence-based solutions to the current problems they face as individual practitioners and dilemmas that exist within the profession. As pluralism is the unifying theme in the programme, the programme will foster a spirit of enquiry where learners will engage in the pursuit of multiple truths, drawing from diverse disciples, approaches and orientations.

Who Should Apply

This two year programme will be of interest to practicing therapists who wish to extend their existing qualification in Counselling & Psychotherapy to Master’s Level, or who are progressing from another counselling and psychotherapy training programme.

Entry Requirements

  • If English is your second language you are required to submit an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) cert at Level 6.5, or equivalent. For more information please click HERE
  • An honours degree, Level 8 on The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), in counselling and psychotherapy, or equivalent and evidence of completion of 50 hours of personal therapy and 120 hours of supervised clinical practice.

OR

  • An honours degree, Level 8 on the NFQ, plus a professional diploma in counselling and psychotherapy (or equivalent).

Learners will be invited to an interview with faculty as part of the application process.

Minimum Technological Requirements

For both the fully online and for the blended learning programme, you will need to have:

  • Appropriate broadband to be able to upload and download;
  • A desktop computer or laptop that is capable of using zoom;
  • A webcam and microphone;
  • A web browser; and
  • Word processing package

Overview

This part-time programme consists of nine modules over two years. It is a taught Master’s with a strong research component. The programme utilises a continuous assessment strategy and learners accumulate credits though a variety of assessments over the duration of the programme.

Blended Learning Delivery

This programme is delivered via blended learning, whereby students rotate monthly between onsite and online. Onsite classes take place in our Tallaght Campus. Our blended learning classes are run as tutorials, that involve students and their lecturer logging into our online learning platform Moodle and use the online portal Zoom™ simultaneously.

Zoom™ provides and integrative online environment for students and Lecturers to interact and engage in the learning. This platform facilitates discussion polls, sharing of slides, videos resources and much, much more.

To foster more intimate learning environments the use of breakout rooms is also implemented, allowing for the safe and experiential triadic learning practice that we have found so successful.

All of our sessions are accessible through computer and mobile devices and we have a structured and robust technology department to support all faculty and students through their online learning journey. To encourage flexibility, and the best practice, we also record all our sessions, these are made accessible only to the students in that class to review content whenever is convenient to them!

Student Benefits & Support

We hold that it is not enough to simply teach the skills of counselling and psychotherapy. Learners are given the space to learn, practice and be supported as they develop for themselves a style and model of counselling which is both personal and effective.

Assessment

Learners are assessed through a continuous assessment strategy, which includes a variety of mediums such as individual and group projects, skills training assessments, case studies and process recordings, written assignments, essays and a dissertation.

Validation & Accreditation of Award

This master’s programme is accredited by IACP.

This master’s programme is a major award validated by QQI at Level 9 on the NFQ.

Credits

90 ECTS

Start Dates

  • Starting: TBC
  • The programme is facilitated through monthly three day blocks (usually Friday to Sunday)

Programme Lecturers

We have a large faculty team, including:

Protection for Enrolled Learners

This programme is covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of IICP College ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded. Current PEL arrangements consist of a 2% levy on course fees. IICP do not pass the cost of this on to learners.

Programme Structure

The programme allows learners to engage in an in-depth analysis of pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy. Pluralism holds that different clients will want and need different things at different times. It considers that there is no one approach.

The programme entails training pluralistic theory and skills, engagement in learning in other approaches (i.e. CBT, ACT). There is a strong focus in practitioner research and an exploration of philosophical and sociological concepts.

The programme contains the following nine modules over the duration of two years.

A Pluralistic Framework For Counselling And Psychotherapy

  • This module examines the philosophical assumptions underlying a pluralistic approach to counselling. This module aims to facilitate the development of:
    • A structure which provides a new approach to conceptualising counselling and psychotherapy in the context of fundamental debates within social science;
    • A framework which facilitates the undertaking of empirical research to directly inform practice;
    • A depth of understanding of, and ability to apply the Pluralistic Framework to guide practice in a coherent and meaningful way; and
    • An acute awareness of cultural diversity in clients and therapists, and the importance of embracing the range of beliefs which endure regarding healing and change.

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach. ACT balances acceptance and mindfulness-based skills with commitment strategies aimed at helping us move towards what matters most, while practicing acceptance of what is outside our control. The objective of the module is to provide specific training in a contemporary approach to counselling and psychotherapy and to explore its fit with pluralism, neuroscience and client treatment. Learners will be exposed to the six core processes of ACT and, using the framework of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), they will explore how the therapeutic relationship can be a primary vehicle for change.

Pluralistic Clinical Skills

  • This module aims to provide learners with the opportunity to develop the pluralistic clinical skills which can be applied in their clinical practice. Learners will be required to demonstrate application of these skills in a real-world setting.

Pluralism in Psychotherapy: Multiple Perspectives, Multiple Possibilities

  • Psychotherapy continues to evolve and change rapidly, with new ideas and interventions challenging and changing conceptions about what therapy is and should be.  Practitioners are faced with the sometimes-daunting task of learning about, evaluating and putting into practice an expanding array of psychotherapeutic theories, practices, and technologies.  In addition, Psychotherapy increasingly draws on frameworks of knowledge from outside the boundaries of the profession – sociological, philosophical, psychological, psychiatric, and political, as well as creative and cultural, understandings and practices. Concurrently, societal changes impact on how psychotherapy is practiced, from legal and regulatory requirements such as confidentiality and note taking, to technological possibilities for engaging and communicating with clients. The purpose of this module is to grapple with the messiness of pluralistic practice, where there are no truths or certainties, but there are multiple valuable, if partial, perspectives. The range of areas that are included in this module include:
    • Understanding identity. Sociological, psychological, psychiatric, socio-political andsystemic understanding of mental health and wellness
    • Understanding society: Social justice and critical perspectives
    • Understanding professional frameworks of practice: multi-disciplinary approaches to health care; technological innovations in clinical practice, and legal and regulatory requirements.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

  • The purpose of this module is to equip learners with the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to integrate CBT into their pluralistic practice with clients. Learners will be able to intervene, utilising this framework, applying it to clinical work in a real-world setting.

Advanced Research Methods

  • The module provides training in practitioner research that will help develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of research methods, research skills and the research literature. It will give students a practical hands-on introduction to the process of counselling and psychotherapy research and an opportunity to develop and refine some of the core skills. It will provide the learner with the knowledge, skills and competence to enable them to carry out master’s level research investigations. A key objective of the module is to provide learners with the knowledge, skills and competence to both critically evaluate complex research studies; and to plan and design counselling and psychotherapy research.

Philosophical Underpinnings To Counselling And Psychotherapy

  • Counselling and Psychotherapy draws upon wider philosophical debates and theories to derive and formulate specific client interventions – this module aims to both inform learners with regard to key relevant philosophical arguments, and also to stimulate debate and in-depth thinking amongst students.

Practice Based Issues In Counselling And Psychotherapy

  • The aim of this module to facilitate learners in the identification of practice-based issues that arise in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, as well as the development of practical and research-based solutions.

Research Portfolio

  • This module aims to afford learners an opportunity to conduct a piece of independent, self-directed research under supervision. This module is designed to foster and develop a high level of independent research ability and skill, and to further develop student skills in the conduct, presentation and reporting of research. This module also assists students with the intellectual process of conducting a research project by promoting their ability to read widely on a subject, to analyse various arguments and to relate them to their own work.

IICP understand that while partaking in further education is an incredibly rewarding experience it can also be a financial challenge for some students. In order to minimise the financial impact caused to students, IICP strive to keep our course fees as competitive as possible. We also provide payment plan options to facilitate learners paying the balance of their fees throughout the duration of their course.

Overall Programme Fees

(Inclusive of QQI registration fee of €200 and the annual Professional Knowledge Seminar Fee)

  • Application Fees: €100 (non – refundable)
  • Year One Fees: €4,350*
  • Year Two Fees: €4,350

*Following successful interview a deposit of €1,305 is required to secure your place.

Year One: Payment Options

(1) Pay in Full before Start of Course

Deposit

€1,305On acceptance of course offer

Balance of Fees

€3,045

Total

€4,350

(2) Payment Plan Options Available (administration fee incurred*)

  • Flexible Payment Options Available.

Please Contact the IICP office to find out more!

Extra Costs

  • Except where stated, course fees cover tuition only. Learners on this programme must also complete clinical work and engage an individual supervisor for this work. Supervision fees are negotiable between learners and individual supervisors.
  • Students entering the MScPCP under RPL and seeking IACP accreditation must complete the full personal therapy and clinical placement requirements. Personal therapists and individual supervisors must be fully accredited with IACP, IAHIP or BACP. (Please see the BSc overview ‘additional costs’ section for further details).
  • Those seeking IACP accreditation via the Masters, will also be required to successfully complete IACP GV, which incurs a fee. Please note, successful Garda Vetting is required to complete the course.
  • An additional cost of the programme is student professional indemnity insurance, which ranges from €90-160 per annum. Learners who are IACP student/pre-accredited/accredited can avail of the IACP discount scheme.

Getting Started

The dates for the next intake are to be confirmed. Please register your interest here and we will notify you as soon as the next intake is confirmed. Thank you.

Register Your Interest

If you have any trouble at any stage of the application please click here to get in touch and we will be happy to help.

Why choose this Programme?

  • Ideal course for anyone looking to pursue a career in counselling and psychotherapy.
  • Co-developed by internationally renowned expert, Professor John McLeod.
  • Competitively priced course fees with payment plans available.

  • QQI validated, ensuring the highest quality content and delivery.

  • Incredibly high levels of student support, ensuring that learners are continually guided and supported.

What former students say about this Programme

The huge support offered by Professor John Mcleod and all at IICP was so invaluable as I progressed through this programme.

Josie Gough, MA Student

I really enjoyed this course and learning. The journey provided valuable new learning and insights both on a personal and professional level. Thank you – it has been a fantastic journey

Siobhan Quinn, MA Student

This course has challenged me on a personal and professional front. I’m left with more options for further work but also left me feeling confident to pursue these goals. Words don’t do this justice and I imagine as time moves on I’ll have an even deeper appreciation for it down the road

Allen Gilhooly, MA Student

Doing the MA has been a fabulous experience. The level of support offered has been so helpful. I have learned so much in a wonderful environment. While it has been challenging, the facilitators and my peers have been a constant source of support, encouragement, information and fun. Thank you!

Ann Marie Bourke, MA Student

I found the flexibility shown in relation to the workload very useful. The academic support given throughout the course was excellent

Shay Hogan, MA Student

The whole programme was fascinating. Support could not be improved upon. There was always a sense that support was readily available with no sense of judgement or pressure. John is an incredibly inspirational teacher!

Caroline Burke, MA Student

Immense learning, every module taught in a clear and open manner. Thanks to the lectures and college staff I kept going. There was so much support, care and guidance. Amazing experience. Thank you!

Anne Fitzgerald, MA Student