These programmes are designed for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who wish to proceed to an MA degree. They are open to those who have completed training which is assessed as the equivalent of 90 M-level credits in the field of counselling or psychotherapy.
Accreditation of Prior Learning regulations at UEA allow for a maximum of 50% of credits for a postgraduate award to be in the form of APL. This means that students with relevant prior qualifications (eg a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling) would be eligible to apply a maximum of 90 credits of APL, and would need to undertake a further 90 credits of prescribed study in order to amass the 180 credits necessary for the award of an MA in Counselling.
Guidance on how to apply for accreditation of prior learning (APL) can be provided on request. Full details of how to apply may be obtained from Mrs Jane Ramsbottom at the following address:
Centre for Counselling Studies
University Counselling Service
University of East Anglia
Norwich NR4 7TJ
United Kingdom
or via telephone:
01603 592656
or via email:
j.ramsbottom@uea.ac.uk
The programmes may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. If studying on a full-time basis, the Dissertation must be completed by 31st March. If studying on a part-time basis, the Dissertation must be completed by 31st August.
The programmes consist of two units:
Unit One can be either:
Unit 1a - the 30-credit module Creative Thinking for Research – Thinking at the Edge (click for further details).
or:
Unit 1b - the 60-credit module Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy (click for full details).
Unit Two is a 60-credit module ‘Research Methods and Dissertation’ consisting of an introduction to research methods and the writing of a 20,000 word dissertation.
The remainder of the 180 credits required for the MA needs to be supplied by accredited prior learning, which will be assessed individually for each applicant.
Candidates who satisfactorily complete both Units will be awarded an MA in Counselling.
Unit Two (Research Methods and Dissertation)
Aims of the Unit
- To provide knowledge, skills and understanding in qualitative research
- To develop skills in understanding, analysis and appropriate application of research findings to professional focusing practice
- To deepen and consolidate knowledge and understanding through carrying out research into professional practice
- To encourage the view that doing research is integral to good professional practice
Unit Structure
In preparation for carrying out the research and writing the dissertation there will be a research methods module taught between September and December, in three blocks of two days each (Friday and Saturday).
The 2009 dates for the Research Methods Unit are:
11/12 September
23/24 October
20/21 November
Thereafter, during the second semester, students will meet regularly with an academic supervisor.
Unit Content
- introduction to the methods of qualitative research
- key skills and processes of research design, negotiation, data collection and analysis and the writing of research reports
- the ethical dilemmas of research
- issues arising from the needs and concerns of the students as they carry out individual research projects for the dissertation
- critical analysis of literature on methodology and on current research
- the personal and professional impact of doing research
- introduction to the methods of philosophical enquiry
Learning Approaches
Teaching methods during the research methods module will include
- reading and writing workshops
- reading and discussion of methodological or research papers
- large and small group work
- lectures and seminars
Students will meet with an academic supervisor during the writing of the dissertation.
Assessment
A dissertation of 20,000 words to be submitted at the end of the course, by 31st August.
Award of MA
The award of the MA will be made following a meeting of a Board of Examiners consisting of internal examiners and at least one external examiner.
The Board will make its recommendations after consideration of:
a) Evidence that student has fulfilled all the requirements for Unit One.
b) Evidence that the candidate has completed the Unit Two Research Methods and Dissertation. Completion of this Unit will be deemed to include:
Regular attendance at Research Methods sessions
Regular meetings with academic supervisor
Submission of a 20,000 word dissertation
c) Tutors’ formal assessment of the dissertation
d) An oral examination where the Board wishes to hold one.
The Board may require that further objectives be met, and the applicant’s work will then be re-assessed in the light of whether the further work has been satisfactorily completed. Re-assessment must be completed within one year of the end of the course.
External Examiner
An External Examiner to the Course will be appointed who holds a senior position in the field of counselling and psychotherapy education.
Course Fees
Home/EU students:
Unit 1 see fees for the relevant module
Unit 2 £1,130
International students:
Unit 1 see fees for the relevant module
Unit 2 £3,325
Selection
Applications will be welcomed from practitioners who already possess a Diploma or equivalent qualification in counselling or psychotherapy. Applicants will normally be expected to be graduates but those with other professional qualifications or who can demonstrate appropriate academic skills will be considered. Full details of your qualifications must be presented on the application form so that assessment of accredited prior learning can be made.
Selection will take place on the basis of a completed application form, two references and in some cases an interview.
Applications
Applications are invited from 1st November for the Course commencing the following September. There is no closing date but early application is recommended.
Full details of how to apply may be obtained from Mrs Jane Ramsbottom at the following address:
Centre for Counselling Studies
University Counselling Service
University of East Anglia
Norwich NR4 7TJ
United Kingdom
or via telephone:
01603 592656
or via email:
j.ramsbottom@uea.ac.uk
Staff
The core tutors are:
Unit One: See the relevant module for details
Unit Two: Anne Cockburn
Anne is a Reader in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. Over the past 25 years she has been involved in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research projects. Her research interests involve teacher stress, recruitment and retention, and she has recently begun to explore the use of mediation in primary teacher education.
