Career Info | Counselling Studies and Skills (Not a License to Practice) University Diploma

Course Description:

Course code: UB9AY Level: 5

A one year introduction to counselling is an ideal starting point if you are interested in becoming a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist. It’s the first step towards becoming an accredited counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or just a perfect entry level course to help you understand more about this subject.

This qualification alone will not give you a licence to practice but may help you decide if counselling is a career you wish to pursue. You can continue your studies at Derby with our BACP accredited MSc Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy course.

It attracts a wide range of people

Counselling skills are particularly useful for nurses, teachers, pastors, police officers or anyone dealing with vulnerable or distressed people. You may have no experience of counselling but have a degree in a related subject, plenty of counselling experience but no formal qualifications or a job in which some counselling knowledge would be a real aid. Whatever your situation, this is an excellent foundation and a recognised qualification which allows you to move on to further study and broaden your career.

Plenty of opportunities to practise

You might be surprised to learn that counselling can be studied online. But through our use of specially designed, interactive teaching methods you’ll participate in virtual classrooms and online discussion forums where you can discuss and debate relevant topics with fellow online students. So in many ways it’s a ‘safe’, less daunting environment in which to learn.

Studying online gives you the flexibility to study at the most convenient time and place for you. Course modules still operate within a fixed trimester but you can choose to study during the day, in the evenings or at the weekend rather than having to attend fixed lectures.

You will need to complete all of the modules below.

Modules:

Stage 1

Counselling in Context
- Code:5CL500
- Info:
  This module will give you an insight into specific counselling approaches within various organisational contexts which may include both statutory and voluntary agencies. You'll explore the philosophical and theoretical principles that underpin the particular context and consider how the counselling context might impinge on counselling practice. You will explore the skills required to work within the counselling context and consider ethical practice.
  On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate an understanding of:
  - Organisational culture within a context
  - Counselling skills required to function within a counselling context
  You will also be able to identify and demonstrate personal, professional, organisational and ethical strengths and limitations.
  Areas you will cover may include:
  - The theoretical and philosophical perspectives that underpin the context
  - Procedures and policies within the context
  - Counselling theory and skills required to function within the context
  - Impact of organisational, structural, and situational context on counselling practice
  - Cultural context.
- Credits:20
- Stage:Stage 1
- Core:Core module
Counselling Skills
- Code:5CL501
- Info:
  In this module, we will explore and develop the counselling and communication skills that form the foundation of counselling and psychotherapy. You will be given the opportunity to consider how these verbal and non-verbal skills can improve personal communication and enhance self-awareness.
  On completion of this module you will be able to:
  - Demonstrate the skills involved in listening, responding, questioning and engaging
  - Evaluate your own performance in relation to a role play interaction, by examining what skills they employed; why they were employed and the impact this had on the interaction and how you could improve these skills
  - Demonstrate an understanding of a range of approaches to learning including the ability to evaluate and reflect.
  Topics covered may include:
  - Core conditions – empathy, warmth, unconditional positive regard, genuineness and non-verbal communication
  - Questioning skills
  - Paraphrasing
  - Ethics and confidentiality
  - Clinical supervision and support
  - Maintaining boundaries
  - Learning through reflection
  - Learning log.
- Credits:20
- Stage:Stage 1
- Core:Core module
Theories of Therapeutic Intervention
- Code:5CL502
- Info:
  This module introduces you to three major theoretical models of counselling. It addresses these with regard to the particular socio-cultural context from which they were written and their philosophical positions on the nature of being human. This module also aims to increase effectiveness and confidence in using academic resources, particularly sourcing and reviewing journal articles related to counselling.
  On successful completion of this module you will be able to discuss the contribution of the three major theories: Person-Centred, Cognitive Behavioural and Attachment Theory to Counselling. You will also develop a range of academic competencies in studying and learning, including the ability to reflect on a range of peer-related journal articles.
  Topics covered may include:
  - Major theories viewed as significant to therapy: Person Centred Theory, Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Theory, Behavioural Theory, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Attachment Theory
  - Academic competencies: reflective learning, effective use of libraries, conducting a literature review, reviewing, analysing and evaluating written material.
- Credits:20
- Stage:Stage 1
- Core:Core module

Entry Requirements:

This course attracts people of differing abilities so admission criteria vary.

You may have a first degree, but no experience of counselling or you may not have a degree but experience of counselling and want to increase your knowledge and skills. You'll be assessed on your ability to study independently, articulate the ways in which this course can be used, your self-awareness, IT skills and computer literacy.

You need to provide a CV/ Resume detailing your academic and work experience.

You will normally need one of the following English Language qualifications:

GCE O level English Language C
GCSE English C

If English is not your first language you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:

IELTS 6.0
TOEFL 550 (paper based) 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based)
Pearson Test of Academic English: 51
Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass
London Tests of English: we accept level 4 for undergraduate courses
International GCE O Level English Language: Grade C
International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C

Other English Language qualifications may be accepted and you should provide full details of these with your application.

Course Fees:

	Per module	Modules	Total	Start
UK/EU	£620	3	£1,860*	Sept/Jan/May
Overseas	£660	3	£1,980*	Sept/Jan/May

*Prices correct for 2013/2014. Subject to annual increase in September 2014.

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from three options:

Pay only for the modules you are studying
Pay your full course fees upfront, receive a 5% discount and avoid annual increases
Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)

Find out more

Funding options for undergraduate UK students

Depending on where you are from in the UK, you may be eligible for a part time student loan towards the cost of your undergraduate degree. Find out more about the options available to you.

Career Information:

This course can be a first step towards a career in counselling. When you have successfully completed this Diploma you will have a variety of opportunities open to you:

Train to be a counsellor: If you want to train as a counsellor, you can apply for our MSc Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy programme, which is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). It’s available to study part-time at our Derby campus.
Learn more about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or become a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist by taking our Advanced Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Skills and Studies, and then our British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP) accredited MSc Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy.
Enhance your current role as a nurse, doctor, teacher or youth worker for example, by learning skills that enable you to better understand and engage with your patients or clients. You can also claim CPD points.

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