Bath Spa University

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Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice

The MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice at Bath Spa University gives you an academic qualification alongside your vocational counselling training which may be helpful when formal registration is established in the UK. The award is modular, based on accumulating credit points (180 are needed for a Master’s), and gives a flexible career track suited to meet the demands of professional counsellors and therapists needing to study part-time.

This award is suitable for counsellors and psychotherapists who have completed a recognised counselling or psychotherapy training qualification, and who are working or who have worked professionally as a counsellor or psychotherapist.

All the courses that are run in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice will give practising counsellors and psychotherapists an academic University based qualification to complement their professional qualification.

Course Structure and Content

You can gain a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) or Master’s Award (180 credits) all in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice to complement your professional qualification. Entrance to the Master’s award requires you to have gained 90 credits linked to Counselling and Psychotherapy, either through APL (accreditation for prior learning, granted within 6 years of gaining your counselling qualification) or through BSU modules (the work-based action enquiry and/or the Independent study) and then to undertake Research and the Professional Parts 1 & 2 and the Master’s Research Project.

Teaching Methods and Resources

The modules are completed through distance learning with individual contact made with a supervisor either through face to face tutorials, telephone supervision or on line supervision.

Modules

The modules offered are:

• Counselling and Psychotherapy Work-based Action Enquiry TT7815-60: This module is for students to gain up to 60 credits and can be used by those outside the 6 years requirement for APL or those who need to make up APL. An alternative to the Independent Study Module, it is specifically focussed on reflecting and writing about clinical theory linked with practice. It can include client work or supervised practice, or a review or conference report linked to clinical practice.
• Independent Study IN7760: This module is for students to gain up to 60 credits and can be used by those outside the 6 years requirement for APL or those who need to make up APL. This is usually a piece of work based either on a literature review or the theoretical aspects of a case study. Students are encouraged to choose a subject linked to their research interest.
• Research and the professional – part 1 PR7103: The aims of this course module are to facilitate participants in the development of their knowledge and understanding of the methods and processes involved in interpretive research, in order to help prepare them for carrying out a small-scale Master’s research project. The assessed assignment is a critique of a piece of published research.
• Research and the professional – part 2: Methods and proposal PR7102: This module introduces various data gathering techniques and the process of data analysis. It further develops the understanding of research design, the research process in general, and how to engage in a relevant literature review. The assessed assignment is a research proposal.
• Master’s Research Project PR7120: A Master’s Research project is a substantial piece of research that requires you to write up a dissertation report at a level appropriate to postgraduate study relevant to your professional concerns and career interests and related to counselling and psychotherapy practice.

Tutors

Current tutors are:

• Award leader and supervisor: Fiona Gardner;
• Affiliated field tutor and supervisor: Jane Whitehead.

Assessment Methods

Assessment for most of the modules is based on completing assignments related to professional learning in the counselling and psychotherapy field.

Entry Requirements

There are direct links to the following courses and qualifications:

• Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling, Diploma in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling;
• Bridgwater College Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy;
• Chichester Counselling Service Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling or Psychodynamic Counselling;
• The Manor House Centre, North London, Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and Therapy in the Community;
• Northbrook College, Sussex, Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Therapy;
• Southampton Counselling Service Advanced and Diploma courses;
• Wessex Counselling Service Advanced and Diploma courses.

Applicants who qualified through other counselling or psychotherapy trainings are invited to apply and accreditation for prior learning (APL) is given according to the level of their counselling or psychotherapy training qualification. This can be discussed on application though in general level 5 qualifications are granted 90 APL and level 4 60 APL. APL is recognised only within six years of a training qualification.

Financial Support and Assistance

• Qualified UK teachers (with QTS) are eligible for discounted fees and can apply for CPD funding and various grants. Further details are available at www.teachernet.gov.uk
• The PMP is recognised under the government’s professional career development loan scheme for working adults wishing to re-train at levels 6&7. Further details can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning
• Those students who enter the programme with relevant academic credits at level ‘M’ can apply for assessment of prior learning (APL) and can also negotiate a pro rata fee reduction.
• For information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact 0800 100 900.