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counselling

Postgraduate Certificate
Postgraduate Diploma
MSc in Counselling

Part time and Full time

Inquiries to the Programme Tutor, Joe Armstrong

The Diploma/MSc Counselling programme provides a learning experience which provides opportunities to develop theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and self-awareness in order to enhance the development of therapeutic relationships.

The programme offers high quality professional training in an integrative approach to counselling, organised around the following core principles:

emphasis on central role of the client-counsellor relationship, as the basis for effective therapeutic work
an assumption that counselling is a conversation, in which counsellor sensitivity to language, narrative and discourse allows the person to engage in forms of talk that generate meaning and possibility
an appreciation of the value of historical schools and traditions of counselling and psychotherapy, as a source of concepts and methods
the importance of cultural resources in enabling the construction of new discourses and positions
an understanding of persons as existing within a culture and society, and engaged in the co-creation of meaning and action in collaboration with others, that finds expression in a social constructionist philosophical stance
a sensitivity to the operation of relations of power and control, in creating and maintaining problems in living, and within the counselling room.

The design of the programme

The programme has been designed to enable a group of participants to engage in an intensive and demanding process of shared learning.

Full-time students complete the MSc programme in two years (21 months minimum), submitting the Dissertation in the summer of Year 2.

Part-time students complete the Diploma in two years, and then have the option of undertaking the Dissertation in Year 3.

Structure:
Stage 1: Postgraduate Certificate: 3 modules (60 credits)
Stage 2: Postgraduate Diploma: 3 modules (60 credits)
Stage 3: MSc Dissertation. (60 credits)

Entry qualifications

All applicants to the programme are interviewed. Overseas applicants are invited to complete a questionnaire and email/telephone interview.

Entry requirements for all applicants are required to fulfil all of the following entry criteria:

degree in a relevant discipline, or professional qualification in a health or social care profession, at a level of achievement sufficient to demonstrate preparedness for study at Postgraduate level. Some candidates may be required to present a portfolio of work as evidence of such preparedness;
completion of introductory training in counselling skills, amounting to at least 120 hours, and covering theory, practice, professional issues and personal development (or equivalent);
evidence of relevant work experience, which includes the use of counselling skills and ability to form a helping relationship;
satisfactory Disclosure Scotland check, (or other appropriate legal evidence, for international students);
evidence of readiness to participate in a course that demands a commitment to personal development and collaborative working;
an understanding and appreciation of the nature of the theoretical orientation of the programme;
personal qualities appropriate to the role of counsellor, including: self awareness, maturity and stability; ability to make use of and reflect upon life experience; capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course; ability to be self critical and use both positive and negative feedback; awareness of the nature of prejudice and oppression;
evidence of engagement in personal development activity (for example, the experience of being a client, spiritual learning, social activism, etc), combined with an awareness that participation in the programme is not grounded in a primary need for personal therapy or personal growth
readiness to enter a counselling placement within three months of commencing the programme.

The programme has been designed in accordance with the training requirements of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is being submitted to BACP for recognition.

Overview of the programme structure

The programme operates on a three term system:

term 1: September-December
term 2: January-March
term 3: April-June.

All modules in the programme are year-long (3 terms):

Stage Term Module Title

1 (PG Certificate) 1 - 3 Professional practice in counselling

1 1 - 3 Counselling theory

1 1 - 3 Counselling skill and personal development

2(PG Dip) 1 - 3 Counselling settings: diversity of practice

2 1 - 3 Conceptual issues in counselling

2 1 - 3 Finding a voice: professional challenge and personal resiliency

Part-time students normally complete Stage 1 (Postgraduate Certificate) in Year 1, Stage 2 (Postgraduate Diploma) in Year 2, and Stage 3 (MSc) in Year 3.

Full-time students normally complete Stage 1 (Postgraduate Certificate) in Year 1, and both Stage 2 (Postgraduate Diploma) and Stage 3 (MSc Dissertation) in Year 2, completing in June of year 2.

If necessary, an additional year may be allowed for completion of the Dissertation.

The mode of delivery in this programme is student centred, participative and reflective. The programme employs a range of assessment formats, including essays, practical work, case studies and a research dissertation. The programme enjoys excellent library and training facilities.

Due to the group-based, professional nature of the programme, there is a 90% attendance requirement.

There are placements, normally in different agencies, in Years 1 and 2, and a 5-day period of observation of a setting in which assistance is given to people with long-term, severe problems in living.

Indicative attendance pattern (details may alter)

Students are required to attend for a total of 68 days (6 hours per day; total 408 hours). The course currently meets weekly on Mondays (9.30-5.00):

Year 1

1 day University induction and registration
1 day: getting to know each other, introduction to the programme
5 day residential
24 weekly meetings
3 day review block at end of year

Year 2

3 day block - coming back together
25 weekly meetings
3 day block looking at mental health/severe and complex personal difficulties (in January)
3 day review block at end of year

Year 3*

3 day research planning workshop
6 individual tutorials
1 day research conference

(*part-time students follow this pattern in Year 3; full-time students begin to engage in research planning toward the end of year 1)

Indicative assessment profile (details may alter)

Stage Title Assessment and weighting

1 Professional practice in counselling Two essays (25% each)
Case study (25%)
Supervision report (25%)

1 Counselling theory Essay 100%

1 Counselling skill and personal development Project 50%
Group project 25%
Learning journal 25%

2 Counselling settings: diversity of practice Case study 75%
Supervision report (25%)

2 Conceptual issues in counselling Essay 100%

2 Finding a voice: professional challenge and personal resiliency Portfolio 50%
Viva 50%

3 Research Dissertation Conference presentation – 25%
Dissertation Paper 1 – 25%
Paper 2 - 25%
Paper 3 - 25%

Fees:

Information about current fees may be obtained from the University Finance office (01382 308000).

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counsellingPostgraduate CertificatePostgraduate DiplomaMSc in Counselling