Course description
Part-Time study
Introduction
Keele University, along with the University of Reading, was the first higher education institution to offer counsellor training and has been delivering programmes in counselling since the 1970s. We are delighted to reintroduce a Masters course into the programme we currently offer. It is available on a full-time or part-time basis, and provides a professional training in counselling. The course contact hours may, at the British Association of counsellors and Psychotherapists’ (BACP) discretion, be counted towards meeting part of criterion 4 of the BACP’s accreditation requirements.
This MSc/Postgraduate Diploma programme in Counselling Psychology is founded on a core theoretical model derived from an acceptance of Carl Rogers’ belief in the ‘self-therapeutic capacity and wisdom of clients’, based in humanistic psychology and person centred practice. The philosophical traditions of existentialism and phenomenology are used to illuminate understanding of humanistic practice through lectures and small group work. With that foundation, students are introduced to a wide range of practice, which includes Rogerian, Transpersonal and Imagery-based work. The concept of ‘integrated practice’ is used to help students establish a sense of coherence in their own position. The centrality of a secure and constantly reviewed ethical position, based on the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, is presented to the programme members as a major personal responsibility.
We accept the overwhelming evidence of the theorists that the major factor in helping human beings change in desired, positive directions is a relationship in which they feel safe, valued and challenged.
Course Structure and Content
The course is taken full-time over one year or part-time over two years. All students take all taught modules in year 1. Part-time Masters students take the research methods module and the dissertation in year 2.
All Masters students are required to take four 30-credit taught modules (120 credits at level 4), plus a research training module (15 credits) and a 60- credit dissertation. All modules must be passed for the award to be made (total of 195 credits).
Students who successfully complete only the four taught modules (120 credits) will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma, and those successfully completing only the two modules indicated * below (60 credits) will be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate.
Course Modules
Taught Modules
• Exploration in counselling (30 credits)*
• Understanding in counselling (30 credits)
• Integration in counselling (30 credits)
• Practicum (30 credits)* – In addition, all students have tutor-led training in the practical skills of counselling, as well as access to
video for counselling practice with peers and the production of case material for critical analysis. Students may apply for exemption from the four taught modules if they have previously been awarded a Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from Keele University. Students must complete 100 hours of supervised counselling practice and have minimum of 8 hours of
persona therapy.
Additional Requirements for Masters
• Research methods (15 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits) 15,000-20,000 words – The preparation and submission of a dissertation will give students the opportunity
to research, in depth, a counselling topic or issue which is of interest to them.
Assessment
All modules are assessed on the basis of coursework. The pass mark for a module is 50%. The dissertation is a piece of independent research written up in 15,000-20,000 words. Masters students attaining exceptional performance (average of at least 70%) may be awarded a Distinction.
Funding
Most students will be self-funded, though some may receive a contribution to their fees from their employers. Students should be aware that in addition to their fees they will also be responsible for the payment of their counselling practice supervisor and therapist.
Career Destination information
Successful Masters students will seek professional counselling posts in a wide range of fields such as the NHS, private industry, public service and private practice. The course contact hours may, at the British Association of Counsellors’ and Psychotherapists (BACP) discretion, be counted towards meeting part of criterion 4 of the BACP’s accreditation requirements.
