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Postgraduate Frequently Asked Questions

Graduate Diploma and Master of Social Science (Counselling Studies)

 

Doctor of Counselling

 

Graduate Diploma and Master of Social Science (Counselling Studies)

My Undergraduate work is not in psychology. Will I be able to manage the program?
Yes. If you have completed a degree in a recognized tertiary institution, you will be able to undertake and complete the program. Many of our students do come with degrees in psychology, social work and education, but while prior studies in human behaviour are valuable resources, they are not a requirement. We seek mature adults who have a desire to help others, have some work experience in human service delivery, possess some communication skills, are able to accept others whose values are different, and who wish to expand their helping skills. The academic profile of our students includes not only human service workers (health, education, welfare), but persons with degrees in arts, science, business, law, religion, music, engineering and numerous others. In working together practising the skills of helping we find that there are very few experts, and that all of us (lecturers and students) are learners who need the support and cooperation of others to achieve some level of competence.

What is the theoretical base for this program?
A generic 3 phase counselling model is presented in this program. Counselling Practice represents the first two phases which take the client through exploration towards understanding a broad goal for change. This includes fine tuning skills of listening, responding, challenging and helping clients to undertake changes. This reflects Carkhuff theory and practice as the basis and introduces other theorists’ work which can be applied within the model at various stages. Counselling for Change represents the final phase of counselling, which involves guiding and supporting the client through the change process. There is a strong cognitive-behavioural flavour to this phase. Counselling Theories introduces a range of theoretical perspectives and techniques associated with the three phase model. It includes both classic theories and emerging contemporary approaches. Once students have mastered the core skills, they are encouraged to develop their own style of counselling, which includes the ability to call on a range of techniques where appropriate, within the basic three phases model.

Why do the counselling programs have the non-graded assessment scheme?
Most counselling students are mature adults who are keenly interested in acquiring counselling knowledge and skills to enable them to be competent and effective in their vocation, and generally do not need external motivation to produce their best work. A majority of students report appreciation of the freedom to pursue their interests and needs at depth without having to think and write for a competitive grade.
Counselling is concerned with helping clients learn through cooperative relationships. The teaching / learning approach likewise strives for cooperation. The non-graded pass encourages students to exchange information, perspectives and work together practising interpersonal skills in informal study groups and in the classroom.

How can anyone possibly be an effective counsellor, after such a short period of formal training?
This question rightly indicates the need for counsellors to possess a depth of knowledge and understanding about human behaviour.
In our program we seek mature applicants with some human service delivery experience. After completing the Graduate Diploma and preferably the Masters Degree, those in practice will be encouraged to join an association and continue learning through additional workshops, and counselling under supervision (sometimes referred to as practicum hours). Some will probably go on and supervise other’s practice. Counselling is understood as a short-term process to help people learn to manage life issues through a problem-solving process. It may include appropriate directive strategies, but generally avoids the diagnosis/labelling/treatment process. Counsellors help others to identify what they want, and work with them as they undertake the steps to achieve their goal.

Surely only a person with a Psychology undergraduate degree and then a Masters in Counselling can be qualified to understand human behaviour at the depth required to be a counsellor?
Many participants in the counselling program are already responding to people with worries as part of their job, and are highly motivated to extend their knowledge and skills in helping others achieve a healthy and positive life. Counselling can be viewed as a short-term activity, and counsellors learn to refer appropriately when a person’s issues indicate a need for longer term therapy.

Motivated professionals from any discipline can learn to listen deeply, respond to their clients by working with them in identifying their problems, and help them accept ownership and make appropriate changes in a step by step process.

What kind of job would I be qualified to undertake if I completed the Graduate Diploma in Counselling?
The Graduate Diploma is primarily concerned with helping participants increase counselling knowledge and skills (which can be described as advanced communication), and our graduates have taken jobs in a broad range of areas where communication is a major part of the position. As well as in the human service areas (health, welfare, education, counselling etc.) numerous students have undertaken leadership positions in human resource development, training, public relations, administration and a range of other situations. Some people go on to use the counselling Master as a vehicle for changing their vocational orientation, others to enhance their skills in their existing profession, and some continue their counselling studies by undertaking special placements and further specialized study to achieve their goal of becoming professional counsellors.

What further study can I undertake after I complete the Graduate Diploma and the Masters in Social Science?
Depending on your particular circumstances and career goals, there are several of potential study paths:
1. You may apply to continue with the Doctor of Counselling program – a three year full-time equivalent program, in which the Master provides credit for the first year.

2. You may apply to a specialist Association (Gestalt Therapy: Behaviour Therapy: Family Therapy, etc.) and participate in that group’s particular process of accreditation and professional development.

3. A significant number of our students have undertaken another Masters Degree, either in a related field or in their own basic discipline area (e.g. Psychology, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Social Work; etc.). They have used the Masters to enhance their skills in working with people, and are now interested in developing further expertise in their first profession.

4. A few of our students have developed an interest in specializing in depth in a chosen area of counselling and have sought entry to a School in a University which is willing to admit them to a Ph.D. program and supervise their thesis.

All scholars and practitioners are learners and it is expected that all our students will continue to read, reflect, consult with others, and either formally or informally continue to expand their knowledge and skills throughout their life.

 Can students who apply to undertake a Ph.D. gain entry with a NGP Masters?
Different Universities have their own criteria for entry to a Ph.D. program. Usually a high grade point average is a central criterion. A number of Counselling Masters Graduates have gained entry to a Ph.D program on the merit of their Masters Research Project and referee reports. It is always wise to keep all assignments together in anticipation of further study.

 

Doctor of Counselling

How does the Master relate to the Doctorate in Counselling?
The Doctor of Counselling has been developed as a professional doctorate, not a PhD, so it will have a combination of coursework and supervised experience as well as a research component. There will be opportunities to extend from the master’s degree in Counselling in three areas – additional supervised experience, additional content courses, and a research component, all building on the existing structure. The additional courses are exclusive to the doctoral program. Research will be of an applied nature, involving more than one piece of work and brought together in a portfolio.

How long will it take to complete?
The complete doctoral program will be a 108-unit course, that is, equivalent to three years of full time study. However, graduates of the MSocSci (Counselling) can count 36 units towards the doctorate and complete a further two years (72 units). The structure will assume most students will want to enroll part-time and continue in their workplace. For more details go to www.unisa.edu.au and type IPCG into Programs.

What are the pre-requisites?
Completion of the Master’s course is the basic prerequisite. It will also be necessary to demonstrate enough experience to be eligible for membership of a PAFCA accredited program (e.g. CASA). Referees reports will be sought with preference going to mature counsellors who can develop to become leaders in the newly emerging profession.

Are there options I should prefer while completing the Masters, in order to make myself more eligible for a place?
The doctorate will require all three of the current research options, together with additional research work, so it will help to select those three, rather than just two. Having to leave out a content course to achieve this can be offset by picking it up as a doctoral option. Please note that Doctoral students taking Diploma or Masters level courses will be required to complete an extra assignment for course credit, if the course is to be counted towards the doctoral program. In addition, doctoral students will be graded in their work for these courses.
To meet CASA standards it helps to accumulate as much supervised experience as possible. Credit for that is obtained via Counselling Supervision (30 hrs) and lesser hours through Counselling Practice (6hrs), Counselling for Change (6 hrs), Crisis and Trauma (6 hrs), Introduction to Family Therapy (6 hours) and Integrative Studies (3 hrs).

Is a doctorate going to become the career level training for counsellors?
No. For the foreseeable future the Masters will be fine for most practitioners. The Doctorate is intended for those who wish to pursue a career in teaching at tertiary level, and to provide training in supervision skills for those who move into senior positions in agencies. It will also provide additional training in areas that currently do not find a place in the Masters program.

How much will it cost?
The program is HECS supported. The basic charge for 2006 is approximately $5,000 per year.
 

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