Description
Programme Specification for the 2021/2 academic year
PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) | Programme code | PDP1PSYPSY05 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time |
Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) programme is aimed at clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and other professionals with experience of delivering mental health such as nurses and counsellors. It provides intensive skills training in accordance with British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (BABCP) guidelines: BABCP Standards of conduct, performance and ethics; BABCP Minimum training standards; and BABCP Core Curriculum Reference Document, available at: http://www.babcp.com/documents.
High intensity therapists assess and treat primary care patients with common mental health problems (principally anxiety and depression) using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is recommended in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines as part of the stepped-care approach. The approach works to alleviate symptoms and have a positive impact on social inclusion, employment and productivity. Practitioners will work closely with other agencies to assess and maximise employment opportunities for each client.
The programme prepares you to provide high-intensity CBT within Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services. It adheres to the national curriculum published by the Department of Health (2008). The School maintains a firm commitment to evidence-based clinical practice and as such we endeavour to ensure all of our training programmes are firmly embedded within current research.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The programme will have a cognitive-behavioural theoretical base with preference for approaches with the soundest evidence and where cognitive and behavioural techniques are integrated in therapy and fully compliant with High Intensity IAPT curriculum. In addition to providing practical intensive and detailed skills training to facilitate skill development to a defined standard of competency, the programme will aim to increase your knowledge base of therapy and research in CBT and to promote a critical approach to the subject. It will aim to equip you to become a skilled and creative independent High Intensity therapist, in accordance with BABCP guidelines for good practice and to contribute to the further development of CBT.
The programme will provide opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:
- To develop practical competencies in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for common psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety
- To develop critical knowledge of the theoretical and research literature relating to CBT.
The programme is suited to those pursuing a career as a High Intensity therapist, defined under the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies initiative.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
http://cedar.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/
Stage 1
120 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PYCM037 | The Fundamentals of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | 30 | Yes |
| PYCM038 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Depression | 30 | Yes |
| PYCM039 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety Disorder | 30 | Yes |
| PYCM040 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - Clinical Practice | 30 | Yes |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Construct maintenance and developmental CBT conceptualisation for depression and anxiety disorders. | Lectures and group tutorials based at the University. Guided independent study. Clinical practice placement. Group supervision of practice incorporating analysis of recorded practice and written supervision feedback. | 20-minute assessment and formulation case presentation. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Practice as a scientist practitioner, advancing your knowledge and understanding and develop new skills to a high level. | Lectures and group tutorials. Guided independent study and clinical practice. Group supervision of supervision practice incorporating analysis of recorded practice and written supervision feedback. | 20-minute assessment and formulation case presentation. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Take personal responsibility for clinical decision making in straightforward and more complex situations. | Group supervision and tutorials. Practice-based peer review and self-directed learning. Clinical practice placement. | 20-minute assessment and formulation case presentation. |
7. Programme Regulations
Programme-Specific Progression Rules
You must pass all the modules in the table above. The pass mark for these modules is 50% with an additional requirement to pass all individual assessments within individual modules. If you fail any modules you will not be permitted to continue with the programme and your registration as a student will be terminated with immediate effect.
Following successful completion of the PGDip, you will be permitted to progress onto the MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). For progression to the MSc component there is an additional requirement to pass the module PYCM002 Methodological Approaches in Psychological Therapies Research. If successful, the marks will not be included in the MSc award calculation.
Following successful completion of the PGDip, you will be permitted to progress onto the MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research.
Programme-Specific Award Rules
You are not permitted to exit with a PGCert on passing 60 credits.
Classification
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
WithinPsychology there is a well-equipped suite of PCs dedicated for postgraduate use, with further support provided by a dedicated IT and statistics helpdesk.
A range of services is available to support your study both from within Psychology. These include:
- Team development programme.
- Personal and professional development planning.
- Student handbooks and programme guides.
- Range of specialist advisors, including for: women students, non-school leavers, and overseas students.
- Computing and Statistics Help Desk.
- Virtual Resource Room and other web-based learning materials.
- Clinically focused seminars, the ‘Think Tank’, provided by the Mood Disorders Centre.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
Applicants must normally have completed a recognised professional clinical training or relevant undergraduate degree. Non-standard applications will be considered where applicants can demonstrate the required academic ability alongside existing knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace, relevant to this programme. Please contact the Programme Director if you would like to explore whether your prior learning, experience and skills would be acceptable. Candidates will need to undertake an interview and confirmation of appropriate registration to practice (eg Health Professions or Nursing and Midwifery Council Registration) and evidence of a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Candidates must also be able to fulfil the BABCP accreditation standards for cognitive behaviour therapists following training and continued supervised practice. Candidates should therefore meet the following criteria:
- Have a relevant professional training to degree level or equivalent (clinical psychology, educational psychology, social work, nursing, psychiatry, counselling, medicine, teaching) whose current professional practice involves working with individuals, families and/or couples;
- In most cases applicants will have to already possess an undergraduate qualification and a professional qualification relevant to their profession;
- In exceptional circumstances, unqualified candidates, through an APEL procedure, who can demonstrate the equivalent of such can be considered.
Specific admission criteria that should be met by applicants include the following:
- Successful completion of a foundation level course or equivalent in CBT;
- Regular and ongoing participation in clinical work involving the practice of a cognitive behaviour therapy.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
On successful completion of this programme you may be able to submit your practice portfolio and other assignments towards accreditation by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), subject to additional requirements as necessary.
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
College of Life and Environmental Sciences (CLES)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
19. UCAS Code
N/A
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 25/11/2014 |
Date of last revision | 17/03/2021 |
|---|