Masters Programme in Guidance Studies (e-learning)
MA Education: Guidance Studies
My perspectives have been widened in a way I could not have comprehended when I embarked on the course
”The Masters in Guidance Studies provides opportunities for practitioners, managers and researchers to explore key issues relating to guidance theory and practice, with particular emphasis on action research. The overall aim of the programme is to support professionals to develop their practice by encouraging reflection on traditional and contemporary career perspectives.
Central to the programme is a commitment to link theory to practice and explore ways in which new theories can be developed as a result of reflection on practice. Students will gain an improved understanding of the policies and practices that underpin and influence guidance work at local, national and international levels. They will be encouraged to develop a research portfolio relevant to their interests.
This innovative and exciting programme offers more than a traditional taught Masters Programme in that it emphasises:
- practical applications of guidance theory in relation to current and future policy and practice;
- action research techniques to develop experience, knowledge and skills of research approaches;
- links with a vibrant research community at national and international levels; and
- reflective practice related to personal, career and professional development.
This programme is available at three levels of award:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Guidance Studies (60 credits);
- Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance Studies (120 credits); and
- MA in Guidance Studies (180 credits).
The programme consists of two guidance-focused modules: 'Guidance Theory and Professional Practice' and 'Guidance in Context'.
Two guidance modules and a related 'Independent Study' must be completed to be awarded the MA in Guidance Studies. Other modules available include; Evidence Based Practice, Advanced Professional Practice and Negotiated Modules which allow students to undertake a 'mini' research project in preparation for their Independent Studies.
The benefits of e-learning are numerous: materials are up-to-date and cutting-edge, and students can be directed to new and emerging research which supports their intellectual engagement with their individual areas of interest. The programme is delivered through web-based materials, with supporting literature, a discussion forum and tutorial support through email and by telephone. It allows students the opportunity to study at a time and pace that suits them, allowing them to decide when and where they study.
The programme provides a continuing professional development opportunity for guidance professionals to engage with and contribute to the frontier of new knowledge.
The University of Derby operates an equal opportunities policy.
The Masters Programme, MA Education: Guidance Studies provides opportunities for practitioners, managers, researchers and policy makers to explore key issues relating to guidance theory and practice. The overall aim of the programme is to support professionals to develop their practice by encouraging reflection on traditional and contemporary career perspectives. The programme includes international policy and practice developments and encourages students to be inclusive and reflective in their learning and research.
Students gain an improved understanding of the policies and practices that underpin and influence guidance work at a local, national, regional and international level. They are encouraged to develop a research portfolio relevant to their interests.
It is more than a traditional taught Masters Programme given it emphasises:
- practical applications of guidance theory in relation to current and future policy and practice
- action research techniques to develop experience, knowledge and skills of research approaches
- links with a vibrant research community at a regional, national and international level; and
- reflective practice linked to organisational, personal, career and professional development.
The Masters programme has three levels of award:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (60 credits)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education: Guidance Studies (120 credits) and
- MA Education: Guidance Studies (180 credits)
For further information go to the University of Derby online website.
The benefits of e-learning are numerous:
- materials are up-to-date and cutting-edge
- students are directed to new and emerging research which supports their intellectual engagement with their individual areas of interest
- students have the opportunity to become involved in an online guidance community.
The programme is delivered through web-based materials, with supporting literature in hard copy, a discussion forum and tutorial support through email and by telephone. Students are supported by the University's specialist library service.
Students are given the opportunity to study at a time and pace that suits them, allowing them to decide when and where they study.
The programme attracts students from throughout the UK, Europe and Internationally. The current student body consists of practitioners from Malta, Cyprus, the Caribbean and Middle East.
To give a flavour of the Masters programme from an international perspective, here is an interview with Pauline Bartolo a Masters student from Malta who graduated from the programme in January 2009.
Below is the thoughts of Dorianne Gravina who graduated from the MA in 2010 with a distinction.
Dorianne Gravina: experiences of being an online international student studying the MA Education: Guidance Studies.
After a number of years working as a guidance teacher in a state secondary school, I decided that I needed to further and specialise my studies in career guidance. It just happened that the University of Malta in 2003 was offering the first diploma course in occupational guidance and career counselling. This diploma provided me with the professional training and a qualification for work as a guidance practitioner specialising in the area of careers. This specialisation opened up a number of doors in the field of career guidance, amongst them being involved in the writing up of a national career guidance policy for Maltese compulsory schooling, at a time when career guidance in Malta featured prominently amongst governmental priorities.
It soon became evident that new career opportunities in the area of career guidance were increasing in Malta. Moreover, since I enjoyed working with students in the area of career guidance, I decided to further my studies at Masters Level. This time I decided to study outside of Malta mainly for the following reason - I wished to get some exposure to new ideas from foreign lecturers. Derby University especially interested me because it offered an online distance learning programme. This fitted well with my hectic lifestyle - a working mother - especially since this meant that I could conduct my studies at times which were convenient to me. Moreover the course was divided into three levels - at certificate, post-graduate and Masters level - and this meant that if for some reason I needed to stop the course I would still get accreditation for the part followed.
I was provided with a lot of initial support with regards to the filling in of the application form, course clarification, information regarding access to course material, etc. This was very helpful especially since the start of a new course is always difficult and in this case being an online student was a totally new experience to me. The first few weeks were a bit difficult and consisted of new experiences - getting used to the course resources, the discussion boards, 'Athens', following a personal schedule of studies, sending assignments electronically through UDO - however with the support of lecturers and administrative personnel at Derby I settled down and started to enjoy the course.
The course resources were very useful and provided a very structured and valuable guide to my studies. Access to online journals through the electronic library opened up doors to readings I never had access to in Malta. All lecturers were very helpful and available to answer any queries I put forward. The only disappointment was the discussion boards - although at the beginning of the course I was very enthusiastic about the possibility of sharing my ideas with other fellow students, the lack of participation by other students discouraged my enthusiasm and after the second term I stopped my contributions. Another disadvantage associated with online learning was that at times being an online student can be a rather lonely experience. However, on reflecting on the overall experience, I feel that despite those disadvantages associated with online learning, in my case the advantages outweighed the disadvantages due to the flexibility of the programme (I was able to stop the course for a term when I changed my job), the ability to combine work, family life (I have two teenage children) and my studies and the exposure to new ways of learning especially since I am a mature student who has always been exposed to the traditional classroom based learning.
One of the biggest assets of the course was that since I was working in the area of career guidance and at the same time I was furthering my studies I could apply, evaluate and be critical of the knowledge I was gaining. Since the course mainly focused on career guidance in the UK, I did my utmost to relate the theoretical knowledge I acquired to the local situation. This was especially reflected in the assignments I undertook which always revolved around some aspect of my professional practice.
The final year of the Masters programme involved the writing up of a dissertation - the independent studies module. This time I decided to travel to the University to discuss my proposal face-to-face with my tutor. This experience was very fruitful - not only did I manage to clarify some issues regarding the topic I chose for my dissertation but I also visited a number of educational institutions/organisations in Derby which provided career guidance organised by lecturers on the course - but finally I was able to see the University and meet the lecturers, librarian and administrative staff - people who had supported me throughout the two years. This helped to put faces to names and made it easier to relate to them in the remainder of the course.
Dorianne Gravina graduated with an MA in Education: Guidance Studies with a distinction at Derby's Award Ceremonies in January 2011. She also won the award for the highest overall academic achievement across all MA Education students graduating in 2010/11. Dorianne is a College Career Advisor responsible for co-ordinating career guidance at St. Ignatius College - one of the ten State Colleges in Malta and she completed her MA through online distance learning at Derby in 2010.
Quotes from MA students:
"Completion of each module increased my confidence, not just in my ability to complete the course, but in my professional stance as a Personal Learning Advisor (PLA). Gaining an understanding of the different guidance theories and modules provided an informed insight as to how to assist my clients with their enquiries, and how to deal with their different attitudes to guidance. I was asked by my managers to assist with new PLAs acting as a mentor during their initial settling in period. Completion of the course has provided me with the skills to widen my outlook relating to guidance and an increased interest in providing guidance to adult learners returning to a learning environment.
Although at times I felt that I had taken on something that I was not academically capable of achieving, at times felt that I would not continue it is only now that I have completed the course that I am so glad that I did preserver. It has been one of the most rewarding personal learning experiences I have had." Val Bromage, PLA, Ministry of Defence, MA Student graduated January 2009.
"As I am coming towards the end of my fourth module on the MA Guidance I just felt inspired to write to say what a transforming experience the last two years have been. I won't deny the amount of time and effort the course has demanded, but I have received terrific support from the staff who have helped me develop my ideas for assignments and aided me in meeting my deadlines.
Each module has been supported by accessible and engaging study materials. That they are equally effective across a range of settings is evidenced by the wide range of students enrolled on the modules I have been studying. This has included students working in a variety of settings and in different countries as well as with diverse client groups.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time studying. My perspectives have been widened in a way I could not have comprehended when I embarked on the course. My understanding of theory, processes and policy has led to improvement in my general practice, my ability to support colleagues and even my ability to embrace change. When I started, I resented having to organise and pay for my own Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Now I use my experience as an example to encourage my clients to free themselves from the constraints of workplace career management and to consider embarking on the learning they want to undertake in order to achieve their own personal aims and ambitions.
For me, this whole adventure has been a major undertaking and although I am now anticipating the final effort to take me through to achieving my qualification, I don't want the journey to end. It has been a privilege to be a student with iCeGS and I am still enjoying the learning 'journey'." Kerry Wiggins, Careers Adviser
iCeGS does not offer initial training in career guidance. The Institute of Career Guidance can signpost you to recognised qualifications.iCeGS specialises in high quality, customised learning and teaching delivered to student and organisations particular needs.
View further information or contact Siobhan Neary(s.neary@derby.ac.uk tel: 01332 591580 to discuss further.
