University Advanced Diploma in Systemic Thinking and Practice

Start date: September

Course length: part time: one year

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

Number of students: 20

The course is aimed at multi-agency and multi professional participants who work with a range of client groups presenting a range of challenges, symptoms, issues or difficulties.

This course will provide you with essential knowledge of the use of systemic ideas in practice with individuals, families and agencies. You'll develop an understanding of the connections between your personal history, beliefs and ideas and your current practice within your agency and professional contexts.

During this course we'll encourage you to build upon your knowledge, beliefs and experiences within your own work context and develop a theoretical understanding of systemic thinking and practice. You'll also explore a range of presenting problems and contexts spanning the lifecycle from birth to old age.

We use a range of teaching methods to help you achieve your full potential including lectures, seminars, experiential exercises, skills practice work, group work and self supported study. You'll be assessed through assignments, which will demonstrate you're ability to apply the ideas and theories you learn, to the workplace. 

This is a foundation level course which will prepare you to go on to study at masters level later on. It marks the first step of a four year pathway to become a qualified systemic psychotherapist.

During this course you will:

Identify a range of systemic models and approaches, both historical and current, and relate these to your own practice.

• Develop your self reflexivity where you can openly reflect on your own processes and a range of systemic practice skills.
• Promote anti-discriminatory thinking and practice and develop an ability to consider ethical issues in your work.
• Become familiar with the research debates in the field and the evidence base.

You'll study these modules:

• The Reflective Systemic Practitioner
• The Development of Systemic Theory and Practice
• Personal and Professional Development

You'll usually need a professional qualification at Diploma in Higher Education level, such as social work, nursing, youth work, teaching, psychology or medicine. If you don't have the relevant qualifications you might still be able to study this course, so contact us to find out. You'll also be assessed by references and an interview.

Please contact us for details of the fees for this course.

How you'll learn

The course is delivered via lectures, tutorials, seminars, discussion groups and self study. It's usually delivered on a fortnightly basis, with a requirement to attend the university between 9.30am-4.30pm every two weeks. The course is estimated to take 150 hours per module (300 hours for the double module).

You are encouraged to develop knowledge of how systemic thinking and practice skills may be employed within your specific work context. 

How you're assessed

The course is assessed via written assignments.

Our staff are qualified practising psychotherapists and they're up to date with what's going on in practice. They'll use lots of clinical examples in their teaching, ensuring that what you're learning will help you in your workplace, and will keep your career moving forward.

You could go on to study for a masters degree such as our PG Cert Systemic Thinking and Practice course, subject to you satisfying the entry requirements. You could then move on to our MSc Systemic Psychotherapy, which will enable you to register as a systemic psychotherapist or family therapist when you've completed the course.

'It was extremely hard, but at the same time, has been an enriching experience.'
'The support of the group and the lecturers has been excellent.'
'The course has left me with many areas I want to explore further.'
'Serious discussion but lots of laughter too.'