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"where ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference"

Degree Course

Introduction

This four year part-time honours degree course, the BSc(Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy, meets the requirements for pending statutory registration of counsellors.  The degree course is aimed at those who wish to train to become professional counsellors in integrative humanistic counselling and psychotherapy. The next course is starting in October 2023 and applications are now open. The closing date has been extended to 1st Sep 2023 – interviews are ongoing but places will be available to successful applicants up to the closing date.

Course Structure

The course runs on a part-time basis, with the group meeting over nine workshops between October and June each year. The first year introduces students to the particular model of trainnig and is both BSc Year 1 and a Certificate Course. Year 1 and Year 2 happen in an ongoing training group and students will begin seeing clients at the end of year two. To successfully complete each training year, students must have passed all elements of training as outlined in the Student Manual for the relevant year.

Once students successfully complete their second year they will then begin their placement with clients. This takes place either at Cork Counselling Services or at an external placement that has been approved by Cork Counselling Services Training Institute . Other requirements of the four year course include in-depth personal awareness, external personal counselling, the keeping of a personal journal, reading and study of theory, research and ethics, social and cultural awareness, skills and professional development and supervised practice with clients.

All of this is achieved through attendance at workshops, seminars and tutorials, professional presentations, assignments, and other projects.

Accreditation & Award

This course is accredited by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), which is the largest psychotherapy association in Ireland. They are a professional reference organisation who set and maintain training and practice standards and who represent the profession of counselling and psychotherapy both nationally and internationally. They hold registers of recognised therapists and accredited training organisations.

A BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy (validated by Coventry University) is awarded to students on successful completion of their studies. Coventry University (in Cork’s twin city) is a dynamic and outward-looking institution with a tradition of teaching excellence, impactful research and bold international partnerships. Through Coventry’s worldwide network of collaborators in academia and industry, the 50,000 learners studying its degrees in different countries enjoy access to global opportunities, which ensure their employment prospects are enhanced.

Coventry University was Shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 and also received 5 QS Stars Overall Rating in the QS Stars University Ratings. Coventry University’s significant international success has also seen the institution presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise – the UK’s most prestigious business award.  

Course Content

CCSTI, through its humanistic integrative psychotherapy base believes that effective training has to incorporate work in personal awareness, counselling theory and techniques, skills training, supervised clinical practice and research. CCSTI training provides all of the above.

In keeping with the humanistic integrative philosophy, upon which the course is based, the primary mode of training is experiential learning. The topics covered through the modules for each year, include:

  • Applied personal development
  • Social and Cultural Awareness
  • Relational Development
  • Counselling Skills
  • Counselling Theory
  • Professional, Ethical Development
  • Supervised Counselling Practice
  • Professional Collaboration
  • Research

Throughout the training students engage in the very process of self-exploration they are learning to facilitate in others.  Students will also engage in personal therapy, a personal and professional development group, professional supervised practice, individual study and reading, and peer discussion groups.  They will submit a number of written assignments.

Applicant Criteria

Prospective applicants are expected to demonstrate that they

  • are self-aware
  • are able reflect on their life experience
  • can cope with the emotional and the academic demands of the course
  • are able to self-evaluate and give and to be open to constructive feedback
  • have previous experiences of personal development, i.e. group work, personal therapy, etc.
  • are able to be relational and have the potential to develop client therapeutic relationships later
  • have an awareness and interest in diversity and inequality

Assessment

Assessment is continuous and based on submitted assignments, attendance, and feedback on personal development from self, peers and trainers. 

Fees

The current tuition fee per annum for each of Year 1 and Year 2 is €4,950 for applicants post 11th January 2023. The current tuition fee per annum for each of Year 3 and Year 4 is €3,950 for applicants post 11th January 2023. There is a non-refundable application fee of €150.

The €4,950 is paid in two stages. €2,500 non-refundable deposit is paid on acceptance of a training place by a specific date notified in the letter of offer. The balance of €2,450 is due for payment before the first workshop commences. 

Questions?

See here for Frequently Asked Questions and see here for Terms and Conditions. It is important that you read and consider these as you will later be asked to consent to your agreement of these terms as part of your application.

How to Apply

There are three steps for the intake process that have to be passed. 

Step 1: Your Application

Fill out our application form (which will also request a CV) online here . You will also be asked to pay your non-refundable application fee of €150.

Step 2: Your References

Get two referees to submit a reference for you online here by simply emailing them the link.

Please note that after completing step one and two, you will get a confirmation of complete application by email from us. Only at that point are you eligible to progress to next steps (your interviews) which we will lead after the closing date.

Step 3: Your Interviews

Applicants need to attend and pass an individual interview and subsequently to attend and pass a group interview. (Please note that both individual and group interviews generally happen on the same day.)