Regulations for Diploma/MSc in Cognitive Therapy for Severe Mental Health Problems

Admission
  1. The programme requires supervised practice of cognitive therapy with specific client groups, and applicants must therefore be practising mental health professionals, who have opportunities to undertake appropriate clinical work during their period of study.
  2. The academic entrance requirement is a first degree in psychology, medicine, social work, occupational therapy, nursing, or an equivalent professional qualification, from an approved university, of 2:2 standard or above. Applicants with a nursing qualification must have the equivalent of an undergraduate diploma. Experienced mental health professionals who do not meet these entrance requirements, may sometimes be individually considered for admission on a discretionary basis.

  3. Candidates should have at least one-year post-qualification experience in mental health, that must include knowledge and supervised practice of cognitive therapy. This will be assessed on the basis of the application papers, and a supervisor's reference.
  4. Suitability for the programme will also be assessed by interview. Candidates who wish to proceed to the MSc will be offered an extended interview, to cover research as well as clinical skills.

  5. Accreditation of prior learning is possible. Up to a maximum of 40 CATS points at Master's level may be transferred, where people have completed equivalent training. This will usually only apply to the first unit of the Diploma.

Scheme of Study
  1. Candidates may enrol for the Diploma/MSc or the Diploma only. Students may only proceed to the MSc if they have successfully completed all assessed work for each Diploma unit.
  2. The programme is part-time, with a substantial time commitment to independent study, supervised clinical work (Diploma) and research activity (MSc) required in addition to the attendance at taught elements. The Diploma consists of 3 compulsory units of 40 CATS points each, delivered over one academic year. The MSc comprises in addition the completion of a supervised research project, over one academic year, and submitted by the September after completion of that year.

  3. The minimum period of enrolment is one year (Diploma) or two years (MSc). MSc candidates will usually proceed straight from completion of the Diploma into the research year but may, at the discretion of the Programme Director, suspend for a maximum period of two years. The maximum period of candidature, including any period of suspension or extension and any resubmissions, will be 5 years.

  4. There is a minimum attendance requirement of 70% of all teaching in each unit of the programme. Candidates who fail to meet this requirement will normally be deemed to have failed the programme.

Assessment and Award
  1. As a professional practice qualification, the Diploma/MSc will receive an overall grade of pass or fail: no distinction will be awarded.

  2. Assessments will cover a range of methods appropriate to the measurement of both academic and clinical skills. All assignments must be successfully completed for award of the Diploma/MSc. Individual assignments which are initially graded as 'fail' may be resubmitted and re-assessed. Where only minor corrections would redeem the work, candidates will be required to revise and resubmit their work. Where the assessor and Programme Director agree that the work cannot be redeemed, a new assignment will be undertaken. If a re-submitted assignment still fails to achieve the pass grade, no further re-submission will be permitted.
  3. Where candidates complete all formal assignments successfully, but are rated as unsatisfactory by their clinical supervisor, they may be required to successfully complete a further period of supervised practice before being awarded the Diploma/MSc. This will be at the discretion of the Examination Board.
  4. Candidates who complete the Diploma year but are graded as 'fail' may be eligible for a certificate of attendance.