FdA Counselling

Summary 2012/13

• Designed to meet the growing demand for listening therapies and the needs of an evolving market;
• An opportunity to develop knowledge, practice and self awareness whatever your background;
• A person-centred counselling focus combined with solution based approaches.

This Foundation Degree in Counselling provides the in-depth understanding of counselling theory and skills required for professional practice, with the opportunity to progress to an Honours degree. It will develop your counselling skills in an ethical and legal context in the work place and embodies reflective practice and personal development.

This programme has been developed following discussions and engagement with a diverse multi-professional group, including counsellors employed in the NHS Psychological services, GP Practices, private and voluntary sectors.

Please note, location of study for individual modules may be at any one of our satellite centres.

2012 Entry Requirements

Typical offer is a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from one A Level, or equivalent Level 3 qualification, in a related subject. Exceptionally, five GCSEs at grade C or above, or equivalent, will be accepted. Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate your ability through accreditation of prior/experiential learning (APL/APEL).

Each candidate will formally apply for a place and if selected will be invited for interview. The interview process, led by the partner college, will focus upon personal qualities along with literacy and numeracy skills, whilst confirming that the candidate meets the specified entry criteria. Where appropriate, applicants will be required to successfully undergo an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check and complete a health questionnaire which is within the remit of Occupational Health which the partner college will organise.

Details

Who is this course for?

This course is for those who currently work, or wish to work, within a variety of settings such as schools, colleges, university counselling services, GP surgeries, NHS Trusts, voluntary and independent sector and Human Resources.

What will I gain from this programme?

In addition to entering higher education, you will develop the knowledge and skills to equip you to practise as a counsellor, contributing to the health and welfare of a range of client groups. The programme encourages your personal development and teaches the theory and skills of Rogers’ person centred model in depth, whilst also considering other approaches. It locates supervised counselling practice firmly within its ethical and legal framework and addresses the setting up of a private counselling practice and recognition of mental health issues. You will learn research skills and apply them to studying an aspect of counselling in your work placement.

How we will support you

As well as a programme leader you will have a named personal tutor who will support you throughout the programme. A work-based learning facilitator will support your development in practice and module leaders will provide support for each academic module studied.

What will I study?

The programme consists of two 30 credit and three 20 credit compulsory modules at level 4 and two 30 credit and three 20 credit compulsory modules at level 5. The module content reflects the ENTO National Occupational Standards for Counselling.

In Year 1 of the full-time programme, you will be supported in developing the study skills required in higher education. You will then be introduced to Rogers’ person centred model and alternative approaches, and you will practise the communication and counselling skills essential to effective practice.

Clinical supervision for the development of the counsellor, as well as for enhancing the clients’ experience of counselling, is a fundamental feature of the course alongside the professional, ethical and legal framework in which counsellors must practise. You will be encouraged to address and share your attitudes, values and motivations in personal development groups and during a residential weekend. While this may be personally challenging, it is a vital part of counsellor training.

In Year 2 of the full-time programme, the philosophy of person centred counselling and associated skills will be explored in depth. A further residential weekend will provide additional training for counselling different client groups and you will consider a range of life events and relevant counselling approaches.

The recognition of some mental health conditions and appropriate referral to other health professionals is examined. The role of alternative brief interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, will be evaluated. The demands of professional counselling practice will be examined in detail and there will be an opportunity for you to undertake your own study in an area of counselling of your choice.

How will I study?

A variety of methods such as seminars, lectures, group work and tutorials will allow you to explore the theory and skills of counselling practice. However, the focus is primarily experiential, with you being encouraged to apply theoretical approaches and to practise their skills in a supportive environment with tutors and peers enabling you to reflect on your performance with the aim of personal achievement and improvement. Video recordings of counselling practice with peers and audio-recordings with clients in the workplace are essential tools in achieving this aim. Some Saturday workshops are used to develop specific skills.

Discussions with mentors in the workplace and clinical supervisors will inform professional practice and enable you to demonstrate competency.

On the full-time route, you will study two evenings a week at the partner college and will need to gain 100 hours of supervised counselling practice with clients as a trainee counsellor. Your current workplace will be used if appropriate. If you are not employed in a relevant workplace, the partner college will work with you to find you a placement area.

The part-time route takes three years in total, with an individual study plan to be negotiated.

Placement

If your current place of employment is relevant to this foundation degree then you can complete the work based learning there. If you require a placement we will help you to find an appropriate setting.

Who will be teaching me?

Academic staff, all of whom work as qualified counsellors in NHS psychological services, GP practices, charitable organisations and in private practice, and as experienced tutors delivering counselling courses at all levels. Their principal counselling focus is in person centred counselling, but they also utilise other approaches depending on client need.

How will I be assessed?

A variety of assessment techniques will be staged throughout the two years to assist you to manage the programme workload. Assessment will include the presentation of video and audio recordings of counselling practice, written assignments, a review of personal learning, supervision reports and portfolios of evidence.

What are my career prospects?

This programme will provide you with the skills to work in a variety of counselling settings and will include NHS, Independent and Voluntary sectors.

Further study at Edge Hill University

Once you have successfully completed this foundation degree you can progress to full honours degree with our BA (Hons) Counselling top-up programme.

How do I apply?

Apply online through UCAS for the full-time programme. For part-time study apply directly to Edge Hill.

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

Full-Time Study

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £6,000pa for full-time foundation degrees. Eligible full-time students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Eligible full-time students can also apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships for prospective full-time students. These include £2,000 Entrance Scholarships rewarding determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering. Eligible entrants with outstanding grades are recognised through the £1,000 High Achievers Scholarship.

The University will also be offering awards, worth £3,000 in cash benefits and fee/accommodation waivers for academic year 2012/13, to eligible prospective full-time students through the National Scholarship Programme.

For more information on scholarships, including eligibility criteria for each award, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for full-time students in academic year 2012/13, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/foundationfees2012.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only.

Part-Time Study

Tuition fees for part-time study on this foundation degree are £50 per credit for academic year 2012/13; i.e. £500 per 10 credit module, £750 per 15 credit module, £1,000 per 20 credit module and £1,500 per 30 credit module. A total of 240 credits are required to complete a foundation degree.

Eligible part-time students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000 a year.

For more information on the financial support available for part-time foundation degree students in academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/foundationfees2012pt.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only.

Not got the entry requirements?

Candidates who wish to enter the programme, but who do not fulfil the specified entry criteria, may, via prior learning or experience (APL/APEL), demonstrate their ability to study at the appropriate academic level.

Candidates will be required to demonstrate appropriate literacy and numeracy skills as part of the interview process.

If you do not have the GCSEs required for this programme, Edge Hill offers equivalency tests in English and mathematics.

Where can I find out more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask about this course, please contact your preferred partner college:

• King George V College, 01704 530601, email adulted@kgv.ac.uk
• Preston College, 01772 225522, complete Preston College's course enquiries form
• Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology, 01743 342342, email prospects@shrewsbury.ac.uk

Modules

Level 4 (Year 1 of Full Time Programme)

FDH 1156 Person Centred Theory (30 credits) offers an introduction to the principles and practice of person-centred counselling described by Carl Rogers. Other theories from the humanistic school, such as Maslow, and alternative approaches will also be considered. The focus on person-centred theory will enable you to appreciate Rogers' Personality Theory and to reflect upon and analyse the key concepts in relation to self. You will enhance your understanding of the importance of internal and external influences on a person’s self-concept, which affects the way in which individuals perceive and define themselves. Factors contributing to individual self-worth will also be explored within this context.

FDH 1157 Personal Development (30 credits) focuses upon the exploration of personal attitudes and values, their origins and potential impact upon the individual with regards to life choices. The module will develop your ability to become a reflective practitioner as you consider the influences and perceptions of life experiences and how they impact upon the individual.

FDH 1158 Professional Ethical Practice (20 credits) considers the professional, legal and ethical frameworks that underpin practice within counselling. Issues related to professionalism, such as confidentiality, boundaries and legal responsibilities will be explored. In addition, you will explore the principles, process and value of supervision within the counselling relationship, and as such, be equipped to engage with the process of consultation.

FDH 1159 Communication and Counselling Skills (20 credits). The counselling relationship is dependent upon the facilitation and support of the counsellor. Of particular importance is the counsellor’s enhanced and sensitive range of communication and counselling skills. This module offers an introduction to the basic skills essential in the counselling relationship and which underpin much of person centred theory within counselling. The opportunity to practise these skills will be provided within a supportive environment.

FDH 1176 Essential Skills for Learning (20 credits) will develop your study skills to ensure you make effective use of every learning opportunity, both theoretical and practical, and develop appropriate communication skills. The module provides opportunities to consider and develop reflective practice and as such supports the initial process of Professional Development and Practice and working with clients in placements.

Level 5 (Year 2 of Full Time Programme)

FDH 2207 Advanced Counselling Skills (30 credits) allows for the process of enhanced personal development and introduces the use of more advanced skills such as challenging, focusing and use of metaphor. You will be facilitated in acquiring the expertise to assess those clients who will be able to participate in and benefit from the counselling relationship and to structure the counselling session appropriately. These skills are crucial in enabling the counselling session to be managed in the most effective manner.

FDH 2208 Developing Person Centred Theory (30 credits) re-examines person centred theory and explores new developments which have enhanced and developed knowledge and practice with a wide range of clients. The module will enable you to analyse and evaluate theory to enhance practice and ensure your knowledge is relevant and up-to-date.

FDH 2209 Personal Development (20 credits) focuses upon the developing independent reflective practitioner. Building on personal development work earlier in the programme, this module will enable you to identify and work with differences within your clinical practice to enhance the client experience and relationship. This module will focus on the individual’s ability to be open, honest and completely involved within a personal development group, which will enhance your ability to develop a person centred way of being relevant to your core model of practice.

FDH 2210 Cognitive Behavioural and Solution Focussed Interventions (20 credits) investigates the principles, concepts and practice of cognitive behavioural therapies, alongside two other solution-focused therapies. The module provides a thorough grounding to pursue further study of these approaches in preparation for their use in practice. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach, in relation to the core approach of person centred theory, will be examined.

FDH2077 Work-Based Learning (20 credits) allows you to negotiate with academic staff, and the workplace if appropriate, to focus on an area of study of particular interest. This may be for the enhancement of practice or for the achievement of more in-depth knowledge and skills. It involves identifying the chosen area for study, developing and negotiating a learning contract. The module will provide a rigorous framework for the approval of such study, ensuring the necessary academic level and assessment is fulfilled.