The MA in Applied Psychology (Guidance Counselling) is a part-time programme running for 18 months over two academic years from the date of first registration for the programme.

This programme is consistent with the current requirements of the Department of Education and Skills as an initial qualification in Guidance Counselling.

Please note that graduates of this programme do not qualify to become graduate members of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) unless they have a PSI accredited undergraduate degree.

Applicants will be short listed for the programme based on the following criteria:

1. The programme is open to applicants with a second class honours degree. Graduates who do not meet this requirement and have a minimum of 5 years relevant experience in teaching, industry or community work will also be considered.

2. Personal Statement:
Each candidate will supply a personal statement outlining:
i) Your professional experiences and personal qualities relevant to undertaking training in guidance counselling
ii) Reasons for applying to the course.

Short listed candidates will be interviewed and will be selected on the following criteria:
i) Enthusiasm and interest in guidance counselling.
ii) A thoughtful appraisal of guidance counselling and their own orientation within it.
iii) A well thought out plan of where the course fits with their career development.

3. All applicants must arrange for one Referee's Report form to be posted directly to the School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork. The reference must be a professional reference from someone who has experience of the applicant in a professional capacity, whether paid or voluntary work.

Applications must be completed electronically via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (www.pac.ie) not later than the advertised closing date.

All students on the MA in Applied Psychology (Guidance Counselling) undergo Garda/Police Vetting.

Note: A minimum intake of 10 students will be required to run this programme.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Year I
AP6205 Psychological Principles of Human Development (5 credits)
AP6206 Psychological Perspectives on Counselling Theories (5 credits)
AP6211 Theories of Career Development (5 credits)
AP6220 Career Skills (5 credits)
AP6221 Career Information Management Skills (5 credits)
AP6222 Counselling Skills for Guidance Counsellors (5 credits)
AP6223 Psychological Intervention Skills for Guidance Counsellors (5 credits)
AP6224 Group Work Theory and Skills 1 (5 credits)
AP6225 Group Work Theory and Skills 2 (5 credits)
AP6215 Professional Issues in Guidance Counselling (5 credits)
AP6226 Theory of Psychological Testing (5 credits)
AP6227 Practice of Psychological Testing (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Year II
AP6228 Guidance Counselling Field Practice (10 Credits)
ED6212 Project Portfolio (10 credits)
ED6213 Educational Disadvantage and Multiculturalism: Learning and Identity (5 credits)
ED6214 Inclusion of Learners with Special Educational Needs: Identity and Disability(5 credits)

Note: The orientation of the programme is evidence based. Learning formats include lectures, tutorials, seminars, group work and participant observation in schools and industrial settings.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Guidance Counselling) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Students who successfully complete and pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits in Year 1 and opt not to complete Year 2 may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance Counselling.

Programme Learning Outcomes MA in Applied Psychology (Guidance Counselling) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Foster the personal, social, educational and vocational development of the individual;
• Assess the needs of clients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds;
• Counsell clients at appropriately on vocational, educational and social/personal issues in both one-to-one and group settings;
• Evaluate relevant theory/ and empirical findings, and apply these to practice;
• Use career information to help individuals make good career choices;
• Perform and interpret psychometic evaluations using approved tests;
• Keep appropriate records;
• Perform the guidance counselling function within established ethical and professional boundaries.

Programme Learning Outcomes Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Guidance Counselling) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Understand the value of fostering the personal, social, educational and vocational development of the individual;
• Justify the importance of understanding the needs of clients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds;
• Evaluate relevant theory and empirical findings in the area of guidance counselling;
• Advocate for the importance of using career information to help individuals make good career choices;
• Explain the rationale behind the use of psychometic tests.