The two courses, when combined, aim over a four-year period to educate students in the principles and practices of humanistically-orientated integrative psychotherapy. This involves critical engagement with relevant theories of psychotherapy, the development of therapeutic skills, awareness of and engagement with personal process, practice to high ethical standards and the undertaking of a research project relevant to the practice of psychotherapy. Experiential learning in an individual and group-work setting, reading literature at a level appropriate to postgraduate studies, reflection on practice are hallmarks of this course, and emphasis is placed on integrating these elements.
Contacts: Department of Education & Professional Studies, Course Directors: Gerry Myers: gerry.myers@ul.ie, tel. +353+061+213374 , mobile: 087-8170380 Tom Geary: tom.geary@ul.ie tel. +353+061+202701
Graduates have been accredited as psychotherapists by various professional bodies and work in a variety of public, private and voluntary agencies, they also work in private practice.
Programme Content
Programme Content - Graduate Diploma
Semester 1: Therapeutic Relationships 1, Therapeutic Group Process 1 Semester 2: Therapeutic Relationships 2, Therapeutic Group Process 2, Therapist Factors in Psychotherapy (Summer School) Semester 3: Professional & Organisational Issues, and Psychosocial Crisis, Client Factors in Psychotherapy Semester 4: Research Methods in Psychotherapy , Advanced Therapist Factors in Psychotherapy, Client Factors That Influence Psychotherapy (Summer School
Programme Content - MA
Semester 1: Research Methods in Psychotherapy 2, Professional Placement 1 Semester 2: Psychotherapy Integration, Professional Placement 2, Therapeutic Relationship - The Transpersonal Experience (Summer School) Semester 3: Dissertation 1, Professional Placement 3 Semester 4: Dissertation 2, Professional Placement 4
Entry Requirements
Intake will normally be limited to a maximum of 16 students. Candidates will be expected to possess:
A minimum of an approved one-year training in counselling skills at foundation level and either
An appropriate Bachelor's Degree (Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland), normally 2.2 or higher, in the human sciences, such as social science, philosophy, psychology, the health sciences, education etc.or
An equivalent professional qualification at level 8: candidates in this entry group must be able to demonstrate an ability to study and write at Graduate Diploma level. All candidates will be subject to a competitive selection process involving short-listing, individual and group interviews. The UL policy on Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied.
Applicants should upload a 500 word personal statement in support of your application and indicating how you meet our requirement of having a foundation in counselling skills
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than two years prior to application):
Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:
Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
Irish Leaving Certificate English –Ordinary Level Grade D or above
IELTS – Minimum score of 6.5* for Business, Arts, Humanities or Education programmes. Minimum score of 6.0* for Science, Engineering, Informatics or Electronics programmes *with no less than 6 in any one component.
English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) – Grade C1
GCE ‘O’ level English Language/GCSE English Language – Grade C or above
University of Cambridge ESOL –Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English Grade A
GCE Examination Boards – Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations – Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate – School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council – School Certificate Pass 1-6
Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.
