The focus of the MA is to qualify practicing teachers and other professionals to become qualified guidance counsellors.  The professional Guidance Counsellor brings to bear specific skills in counselling individuals in the areas of personal, social, educational and career development.  In order to fulfil their roles as Guidance Counsellors effectively, participants on the programme will be educated in a broad range of knowledge, skills and competencies within the context of a lifelong learning framework. The strong focus on personal development on the programme strives to promote self-understanding and insight for a deeper appreciation of the counselling process.  Consequently, participants are required to avail of external supervision provided by an accredited counsellor, psychologist or psychotherapist in each academic year.  Details of which will be explained to participants on the programme.

 

The focus of the professional MA in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development is to qualify practicing teachers and other professionals to become professionally qualified Guidance Counsellors competent to practice in a range of settings.  The professional Guidance Counsellor employs specific skills with individuals in the areas of personal, social, educational and career counselling.  To fulfil this role, trainees on the programme are educated in a broad range of knowledge, skills and competencies in the context of a lifelong learning framework.   

 

There is a very strong focus on the trainee’s personal development on the MA programme which aims to promote self-awareness and insight for a deeper appreciation of the guidance counselling process with clients across the lifespan.  Therefore, it is a requirement of the programme that trainees avail of external counselling provided by an accredited counsellor, psychologist or psychotherapist in each academic year of the MA programme.  Details of which are provided to trainees when they commence on the programme. 

 

Programme Delivery
The programme is offered over two academic years on a part-time basis. It consists of a combination of seven taught modules, professional practice placements in Year 2 and a research dissertation in Year 2.  The average class contact time per week for each of the first three semesters of the programme is 6 hours, with a reduction in Semester 2 of Year 2 to take account of the demands of undertaking a research dissertation. It is important to note that this professional programme requires a significant level of personal commitment from participants in terms of attendance, contribution, self-directed learning, assignment work and their own time management.