Course Catalogue

To provide a programme of learning which enables students to critically engage with the various theoretical frameworks and concepts relevant to the context and practice of counselling work. To enhance life-long learning skills and personal development in order to contribute to society at large and to prepare students for a career in the field of counselling work or further academic study. To facilitate students work towards the relief of psychological suffering and to enable them to support clients in developing their self-awareness, self-worth and self-confidence in order to manage their lives more effectively. To promote critical reflection which independently applied will lead to improved counselling practice. To develop relevant transferable skills such as critical enquiry, argument and analysis, and capacity for independent learning. To develop proactive and flexible graduates who can respond to rapidly changing environments thereby enhancing their employment prospects. To provide a supportive and collaborative learning environment which is sensitive to the needs of all learners. To develop students’ knowledge, understanding and application of the principles which underpin counselling practice. To facilitate students to engage with employability skills by completing a self-awareness statement.

The acquisition of knowledge & understanding is promoted through a variety of methods including lectures, seminars, presentations, case studies, group work, group tutorials, project work, work placement/s, observation and demonstration and independent self-directed study and research. Lectures present relevant subject information in a structured manner in order to outline key themes, issues and debates and thus provide students with the underpinning knowledge from which to conduct further self-directed learning. Seminars, group work and group tutorials offer more potential for a purposely student led interactive forum for knowledge sharing and acquisition. Individual tutorials facilitate student learning by addressing specific knowledge and understanding needs on an individual basis and remains an integral aspect of the relationship between staff and student in respect of the Professional Practice modules and the Research Methods modules. Throughout the learner is encouraged to undertake independent reading and research using both printed and electronic material to complement, widen, deepen and consolidate their knowledge and understanding. Knowledge and understanding are assessed via both oral and written coursework (such as essays, projects, seminars, poster presentations, counselling portfolio, practice sheets, case studies, examination. Formative assessments will also be undertaken throughout the course in the form of supervision reports, contact hours with clients, classroom observations with tutor and peers and individual tutorials. Within the programme students demonstrate intellectual skills in a variety of ways including through interactional lectures, seminar presentations, coursework and preparatory reading & research involves evaluation and interpretation of salient issues and/or empirical data. Constructive feedback on both coursework and examinations also enhances students' intellectual development by confirming areas of intellectual acumen and outlining scope for further development. Intellectual skills are assessed via both oral and written coursework (such as essays, projects, seminars, poster presentations, counselling portfolio. Written examination. Within the programme students demonstrate professional practical skills in a variety of ways including through work-based learning, interactional lectures, seminar presentations, coursework and preparatory reading, experiential activities and workshops. Constructive feedback on practice will be given orally and written format throughout the course enabling students to assess and evaluate own development. Professional practical skills are assessed via both practical, work based placement, supervision, written work, oral communication within group settings and one to one practical based workshops Students are taught and provided with opportunities to develop/practise transferable/key skills during the Personal & Academic Development module. However such skills are also embedded throughout the entire programme via a range of strategies including the use of written and oral presentations, training in how to obtain information from a variety of paper based and electronic resources, via group work activities and via the student's counselling voluntary or paid work. Relevant numerical and statistical skills are taught in the programme and students use these in certain modules such as in Research Methods. Transferable skills are assessed through coursework at all levels in all modules. In addition students will be required to complete exercises, for example on the use of IT or the presentation of bibliographies and references, as part of the Personal & Academic Development module.

An important element of any counselling foundation degree programme is practical experiential learning which is achieved and demonstrated through an engagement within college and a work based placement. Students are normally employed within a statutory, private or voluntary human services agency/organisation or service provider. Students will fulfil the learning outcomes through their own counselling placement. Work-based learning is not restricted to work experience or placement learning. It also includes relevant and appropriate assessed theoretical learning which links academic study with work situations and issues.