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.

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

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Year I
AP6205 Psychological Principles of Human Development (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6206 Psychological Perspectives on Counselling Theories (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6211 Theories of Career Development (5 credits) (not on offer in 2018-19)
AP6220 Career Skills (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6221 Career Information Management Skills (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6222 Counselling Skills for Guidance Counsellors (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6223 Psychological Intervention Skills for Guidance Counsellors (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6224 Group Work Theory and Skills 1 (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6225 Group Work Theory and Skills 2 (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6215 Professional Issues in Guidance Counselling (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6226 Theory of Psychological Testing (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
AP6227 Practice of Psychological Testing (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module here.
Year II
AP6228 Guidance Counselling Field Practice (10 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
ED6212 Project Portfolio (10 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
ED6213 Educational Disadvantage and Multiculturalism: Learning and Identity (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)
ED6214 Inclusion of Learners with Special Educational Needs: Identity and Disability (5 credits) (not on offer in 2019-20)

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 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

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 Applied Psychology (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.