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Description

Programme Specification for the 2022/3 academic year

MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder)

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder) Programme codePTS2PSYPSY14
Study mode(s)Part Time
Academic year2022/3
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

This programme has been developed to enable you extend your PGDip, into an MSc by undertaking a piece of empirical research. The research dissertation will allow you to follow your research interests in a topic related to clients with psychosis and bipolar disorder using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or a project related to a service-based development need in this area. Supervision is provided by a clinical/psychological therapies researcher with provision available to support project supervision over the telephone or through internet-based software applications to improve access to the programme. Prior to starting this programme, unless you can evidence completing a previous Masters level research module, you will be required to complete the research module PYCM002 Methodological Approaches in Psychological Therapies Research (that will not be used in the calculation of your award).

The MSc will follow successful completion of the PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (CBT for Early Intervention in Psychosis) or the PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder) programme available within Clinical Education, Development and Research (CEDAR) or an equivalent programme of study that includes specialist training in clinical psychology/mental health research methods and statistics.

The MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder) programme can be studied flexibly on a part-time basis, taking up to two years to complete, dependent upon your and/or your services ability to commit to the programme.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

In this programme we aim to help you consolidate your previous training as an effective and evidence-based practitioner applying CBT with clients with psychosis and bipolar disorder by undertaking a research dissertation in this area. We aim to provide you with a high quality and stimulating learning experience in a supportive environment that is enriched by an internationally-recognised research environment, nationally-recognised innovative clinical teaching approaches and current clinical practice.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

http://cedar.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/

Stage 1


60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules

a for progression to the MSc you must pass this module (the module will appear on your transcript as “transcript only” meaning that it will not count towards progression or award).

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
PYCM002 Methodological Approaches in Psychological Therapies Research [See note a above]20Yes
PYCM001 Psychological Therapies Research Project 60Yes

Stage 2


 


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. Describe in detail a particular research design/methodology.
2. Apply many of the general research and analysis skills covered in the taught part of the programme through managing a relatively substantial research project (i.e. conceptualise, design, carry out and communicate the results of research that is relevant to the concerns of the patients, providers and commissioners of health services).
3. Demonstrate a reflective, ethical and professional framework in your research work.

Research supervision, tutorials, seminars and discussion which can be provided over the telephone or by internet based software applications. Guided independent study and research work.

8000 word (with appendix of up to 2000 words) written dissertation (ILO 1-6).

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:

4. Use research to solve complex problems.

Research supervision, tutorials, seminars and discussion which can be provided over the telephone or by internet based software applications. Guided independent study and research work.

8000 word (with appendix of up to 2000 words) written dissertation (ILO 1-6).

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:

5. Work innovatively, persistently, independently and confidently and exercise personal responsibility and autonomous initiative.
6. Work and communicate effectively with others.

Research supervision, tutorials, seminars and discussion which can be provided over the telephone or by internet based software applications. Guided independent study and research work.

8000 word (with appendix of up to 2000 words) written dissertation (ILO 1-6).

7. Programme Regulations

 

The Academic Dean for Students has determined that the credit expiry period is, exceptionally, ten years for the pre-requisite PGDip modules required for entry to this MSc programme.

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.

For progression to the MSc component there is an additional requirement to pass the module PYCM002 Methodological Approaches in Psychological Therapies Research. If you take this module as part of the 120 credits for the PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), the module will count towards your overall degree. However, if you do not take this module as part of the PGDip, you will be required to take PYCM002 as an additional module; if successful, this module will not be included in the MSc award calculation. The award of MSc will be achieved upon successful completion of the programme.

Classification

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

Within Psychology 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, health visiting, 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 the PGDip element 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. The MSc component is not accredited.

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

MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis and Bipolar Disorder)

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

05/09/2018

Date of last revision

07/09/2018