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Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Systemic Therapy)

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Systemic Therapy) Programme codePTS2PSYPSY10
Study mode(s)Part Time
Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

The MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Systemic Therapy) programme has been developed to equip you with the ability to assimilate and understand psychological therapeutic practise in general and in your chosen therapeutic modality in depth. This includes an appreciation of the relationship between different forms of psychotherapeutic practice. The programme is designed to constitute a qualifying programme for you to become independent professional practitioners in family/systemic psychotherapy. As long as all requirements are met the programme will give you eligiblity to apply for registration with the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice as a family/systemic psychotherapist with the United Kingdom Council on Psychotherapy (UKCP).

The programme is split into academic and clinical sets of modules. The clinical modules will enable you to become a competent family/systemic psychotherapist and run alongside the academic modules. All modules must be passed for you to complete the programme successfully.

After successful completion of two years you will be eligible to register with UKCP as a family/systemic psychotherapist. During this two year period you will be training, and supervised, as family/systemic therapists in clinics. You will undertake academic study and research concurrently.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

In this programme we aim to help you develop a range of competencies in family/systemic psychotherapy. We also aim to encourage you to develop your intellectual capabilities within an institution that is committed to advancing research, scholarship, learning, and to disseminating knowledge.

We also aim to provide an education of high quality relevant to a range of psychological therapeutic approaches in a stimulating and supportive environment that is enriched by research and/or innovation in current practice; to provide training in scientific skills of problem analysis, research design, evaluation of empirical evidence and dissemination in the context of psychological therapeutic practice; to provide a range of academic and key skills that will be useful in your employment, future study, or training for professional practice; to equip you with a range of methodological skills, advanced specialist knowledge, and experience in communicating the results of research, which can allow you to function as an effective research student or as a researcher in academic and or applied settings.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

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

Stage 1


75 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
PYCM015 Family Therapy and the Family of Therapies 15Yes
PYCM051 Psychological Therapies Research Methods 15Yes
PYCM052 Evidenced-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence in Family Therapy 15Yes
PYCM053 Key Concepts and Skills in Systemic/Family Therapy Practice 15Yes
PYCM054 Systemic Clinical Practice: Part 1 15Yes

Stage 2


105 credits of compulsory modules

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
PYCM001 Psychological Therapies Research Project 60Yes
PYCM055 Systemic Clinical Practice: Part 2 15Yes
PYCM056 Issues in Contemporary Family Therapy Practice 15Yes
PYCM057 Couple Therapy 15Yes

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. Develop working therapeutic alliances with clients: this may include families, couples, individuals, referrers, and other service providers, in order to carry out assessment, develop a formulation based on psychological theories and knowledge, carry out psychological interventions, evaluate their effectiveness and appropriateness, and communicate effectively and actively with clients, referrers and others, orally, electronically and in writing.
2. Work effectively with clients from a diverse range of backgrounds, understanding whilst respecting the impact of difference and diversity upon their lives; conduct research that enables the development of psychological therapy practise and to develop its knowledge base and monitor and improve the effectiveness of its work.
3. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of psychological theory and evidence, including knowledge required to underpin clinical and research practice and a level of conceptual understanding and critical capacity that allows independent evaluation.
4. Demonstrate a professional and ethical approach to psychological therapeutic practice that is consistent with, the relevant professional guidelines, including the ability to analyse and manage ethical dilemmas and issues of anti-discriminatory practise.
5. Demonstrate evidence-based practice through clinical work with clients and research.

Workshops; lectures; seminars; tutorial and discussion groups; clinical placement and supervision; presentations. Assessment: essays, video and critical commentaries; oral presentations; clinical linking papers (linking clinical work to research and theory), research proposal and project; supervision reports and assessments.

Practice portfolio including supervisor feedback (ILO 1-5).

3000 word Evidence Based Theory Essay (ILOs 2-5).

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:

6. Make an independent, critical methodological analysis of research and theory and produce coherent argumentation, both written and oral.
7. Show competence in the general management of research, in the use of a range of methodologies and analyses for clinical research, and in various ways of reporting clinical research.

Workshops; lectures; seminars; tutorial and discussion groups; clinical placement and supervision, presentations. Assessment through essays, clinical linking papers, oral presentations, video presentations and commentary; research proposal and project; clinical supervision reports and assessments.

3000 word essays. (ILOs 6-7).

Practice portfolio including supervisor feedback (ILOs 6-7).

Extended case reports (ILOs 6-7).

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:

8. Search key literature effectively.
9. Work in a constructive and responsive way both independently and in collaboration with others.
10. Demonstrate skills in listening, summarising and critical analysis through seminar and tutorial discussion, the writing of clinical linking papers and through essay-writing.
11. Demonstrate professional competence relating to personal and professional development and awareness of the clinical, professional, and social context within which psychological therapy work is undertaken.
12. Work effectively in groups.
13. Critically reflect on your skills showing a self-awareness which also enables the transfer of knowledge and skills to new settings and new clinical problems.

Workshops; lectures; seminars; tutorial and discussion groups; clinical placement and supervision, presentations. Assessment through essays, clinical linking papers, oral presentations, video presentations and commentary; research proposal and project; clinical supervision reports and assessments.

3000 word essays in each module (ILOs 8-13).

Supervisor’s reports (ILOs 11).

Presentations to students (ILOs 12 and 13).

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.

Programme-specific Award Rules

You are not permitted to exit with a PGCert or PGDip on passing 60 credits or 120 credits, respectively.

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

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

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding 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.

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.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

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 (Systemic 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

16/06/2015

Date of last revision

06/07/2017