Quotes:
- As a newly appointed External Examiner, I have been very well informed of the programme and its context. I was initially provided with a thorough overview of the structure of the MA Creative Psychotherapy (Humanistic and Integrative Modality) and then welcomed into my role during a meeting with academic staff and directors, where further course context was provided, along with support navigating access to assessments.
- Educational objectives are clear, appropriate and consistent with the standards of the award. Academic standards are high with an appropriate range of grades. I am satisfied that all Minimum Intended Program Learning Objectives are not only achieved, but exceeded.
- CTC have carefully considered their assessment strategy to reflect the skills required of a child and adolescent psychotherapist, with assessments linked to clinical practice and personal and professional development. Students are required to demonstrate an ability to apply theory to practice, and reflect upon practice, which CTC have found to be an effective strategy for mitigating students’ use of Artificial Intelligence within assessments.
- The Children’s Therapy Centre are constantly striving to provide the best learning experience for their students and to produce excellent Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists. They invest considerably in skilling their staff through both CPD and training to enhance both staff’s clinical practice and teaching. Notably, recent training on Academic Integrity and advances in Artificial Intelligence. Academic Integrity is woven into CTC teaching and learning strategy, including the use of ‘authentic assessments’ that assess students’ learning linked to clinical practice and development. Three members of staff successfully completed the Digital Badge for Universal Design in Teaching and Learning Award 2022 (National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, Ireland).
Conclusions and Recommendations
As the new External Examiner for CTC Master of Arts in Creative Psychotherapy (Humanistic and Integrative Modality) I have been hugely impressed by the high level of professional training provided and the standards of their students and graduates. Thorough evaluation and careful consideration of all aspects of the course result in a robust, highly reputable and comprehensive training of child and adolescent psychotherapists, accredited internationally by the European Association of Integrative Psychotherapy and the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP). Students are fortunate to have such passionate and dedicated experts in the field to learn from.
