Cognitive Therapy

DPhil in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (part-time)

Course Code | 000015

The part-time DPhil in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy provides an opportunity for students to carry out significant research into Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that might lead to new developments in theory and practice.

Applicants are likely to have significant professional experience relevant to the subject they wish to study. As a minimum, they should possess a good first degree (upper second or first) and have some experience of and demonstrated commitment to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, such as having completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Advanced Cognitive Therapy Studies, or meeting the BABCP's criteria for accreditation as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy practitioner.

The programme can completed in a minimum of five years and maximum of eight years.

Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Introductory Level) (part-time)

Course Code | 000095

This programme provides an intensive one-year, part-time introductory course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is widely recognised as a major method of psychological treatment.

The course offers a thorough grounding in the fundamental theory and skills of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to health professionals from all disciplines, and forms a starting point for students wishing to acquire more in-depth knowledge and skills by progression to the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

• Length of programme: One year, part-time study over three terms (fourteen days’ teaching, which includes two three-day and four two-day teaching blocks, with additional supervised study in small groups). 
• The Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy is awarded on the basis of regular attendance at the appropriate classroom-based courses including small group case supervisions, and upon the successful completion of various forms of assessment, including:
  
  • two essays, each of no more than 4,000 words, to assess critical appreciation of theory, research and practice on topics provided by course tutors and approved by the examiners;
  • one written case report of up to 4,000 words;
  • one audio/visual tape (or digital equivalent) recording of a therapy session;
  • close clinical supervision of three 'training clients' as evidenced by a log book of  supervised clinical practice
    
• Programme specification
• We reserve the right not to run all or part of the programme if the number of successful applicants falls below a minimum threshold.

Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (part-time)

Course Code | 000025 

This course provides an intensive one-year, part-time post-qualification course in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which is widely recognised as a major method of psychological treatment.

The course covers fundamental concepts and methods of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and their application to common mental health problems (anxiety, depression and eating disorders) and to more severe and complex difficulties including personality disorder and severe mental illness.

• Length of programme: One year, part-time study one day per week over three twelve-week terms
• Core and optional courses: The Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is awarded on the basis of regular attendance at the appropriate classroom-based courses, including workshops and small group supervision, and upon the successful completion of various forms of assessment. These include:
  • supervised treatment of at least three patients by cognitive therapy;
  • six audio or videotape presentations of therapy sessions;
  • three written case presentations of up to 4,000 words;
  • a dissertation of no more than 10,000 words.
• Programme specification
• We reserve the right not to run all or part of the programme if the number of successful applicants falls below a minimum threshold.

Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychological Trauma (part-time)

Course Code | 000096

The course is designed to offer in depth training and supervision in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for traumatized populations and is aimed at healthcare professionals who have basic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy skills and require specialist training in working with psychological trauma. 

The 16 days of training are spread over an academic year in intensive four-day teaching blocks, and provide a strong grounding in current theories and the up to date evidence base. 

Details of the generic impact of psychological trauma on brain function, memory and psychological development are covered as well as techniques for working effectively with developmental and adult trauma and a range of trauma populations. 

• Length of programme: One year, part-time study in four-day teaching blocks over three twelve-week terms
• Core and optional courses: The Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychological Trauma is awarded on the basis of regular attendance at the appropriate classroom-based courses, which included workshops and small group supervision, and upon the successful completion of various forms of assessment, including:
  • one written case presentation of no more than 6,000 words;
  • one essay of no more than 4,000 words;
  • one audio or videotape presentation of a therapy session..
• Programme specification
• We reserve the right not to run all or part of the programme if the number of successful applicants falls below a minimum threshold.

Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Advanced Cognitive Therapy Studies (part-time)

Course Code | 000020 

The ACTS course is delivered in modular format. Students can enrol on the PGDip in ACTS and complete all five modules. The modules can also be taken independently as stand-alone short courses.

The course provides training for practitioners already experienced in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) who wish to become effective disseminators. The one- or two- year, part-time Diploma/MSc course covers clinical updates, supervision and training skills, research skills for the practising clinician, and organisational development.

• Length of programme: The diploma will be awarded on the basis of attendance at a number of two- to four-day teaching blocks spread over one year (thirty-six days in all). Following successful completion of the PGDip, students may progress to MSc status in the second year when they will attend additional research meetings and clinical update training (an additional six days).
• Core and optional courses: In addition to the above, students will be required to complete a number of written assignments:
  • extended case studies, covering theory and practice in relation to different problems areas and levels of difficulty;
  • an essay on supervision theory and practice;
  • a written design for a CT training event;
  • a business plan for developing CT services;
  • a brief research proposal.
    
• In addition, clinical performance and competency as a supervisor will be directly assessed from videotapes, and training skills will be assessed during a teaching session. The MSc will be awarded on completion of the above assignments and in addition a short research project, to be completed in the second year of the course.
• We reserve the right not to run all or part of the programme if the number of successful applicants falls below a minimum threshold.

MSt in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (part-time)

Course Code | 003850 

This course offers experienced clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds a unique opportunity to develop in-depth specialist knowledge and skills in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

Our aim is to foster a community of practitioners with the expertise to deliver high quality MBCT to patients, and to contribute to the development and dissemination of this innovative approach to mental and physical healthcare.

The course is offered by the Oxford Mindfulness Centre at the Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with the Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.

• Length of programme: Two years, part-time
• Core and optional courses: Ten three-day teaching blocks (held in Oxford) and two residential training retreats (five days in Year I and seven days in Year II) are required. In addition to the taught component, students will need to set aside six to seven hours per week for private study, personal practice of MBCT, completion of written assignments, etc.
• Programme specification
• We reserve the right not to run all or part of the programme if the number of successful applicants falls below a minimum threshold.

The department has a library of cognitive therapy books, papers and training tapes available to students

Information on academic staff profiles

College affiliation is not required for students studying for the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma

Students who complete the course are normally already working in clinical roles within health service contexts, and continue to do so after completing the course. They may go on to take on roles involving training and supervising in Cognitive Therapy.