MA Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice

Post Graduate Diploma in 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. This is beneficial when applying for
work, (the qualification is nationally and internationally recognised) and will be helpful if formal
registration is established in the UK. The award will give you skills in evaluating theory and your own
practice, and will enhance cognition, communication skills and reflection, and increase personal
knowledge.

The award is modular, based on accumulating credit points (180 are needed for a Master’s, 120 for a
Post Graduate Diploma), 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 qualifications at counselling qualification level 4 or level 5, and
who are hoping to work, 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 higher degree
qualification to complement your professional qualification.

Course Structure and Content

You can gain a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) or Master’s Award (180 credits) 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/or specific interest counselling and psychotherapy modules available from 2013) 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. Your
supervisor will give you advice on your work and on the necessary writing skills in the academic
setting.

Modules

The generic Counselling and Psychotherapy modules

All the following modules are for students to gain 30 credits and can be used by those outside the 6
years requirement for APL, or those who need to make up APL. It can also be used as part of the
Postgraduate Diploma qualification.

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Counselling and Psychotherapy Independent Study IN7760This module usually involves 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.

Counselling and Psychotherapy Work-based Action Enquiry TT7860

This module is offered as 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.

The specialist Counselling and Psychotherapy modules

All the following modules are for students to gain 30 credits and can be used by those outside the 6
years requirement for APL, or those who need to make up APL. It can also be used as part of the
Postgraduate Diploma qualification. It is also for others from counselling and other helping
professions who already have a first degree (or a professional counselling qualification or the
equivalent) and wish to develop their understanding and skills. All credits can contribute towards a
University qualification.

Reflecting on Clinical Practice PL7201-30/PL6201-30

This is usually a piece of work covering the theoretical underpinning and professional contexts of the
reflective practitioner working within situations of clinical practice.

Counselling Ethics and the Law PL7202-30 / PL6202-30

This is usually a piece of work based on practical counselling and psychotherapy knowledge in the
context of ethical codes of practice with reference to current UK law affecting areas such as
employment, mobility, diversity and children.

Counselling and Multidisciplinary Practice PL7203-30 / PL6203-30

This is usually a piece of work based on developing practical interdisciplinary knowledge in the
context of multidisciplinary working environments.

The Counselling and Psychotherapy research modules

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

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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
The current tutors are:
Fiona Gardner: Award Leader and supervisor
Jane Whitehead: Affiliated field tutor and supervisor

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 and we encourage students who
have completed counselling courses at these trainings to apply and receive advanced standing:
Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling, Diploma in Humanistic and Integrative
Counselling
Bridgwater College Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy
The Counselling Foundation, St Albans, Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and Advanced
Diploma in 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 also invited to
apply for our programme. Currently, qualifications from counselling and psychotherapy courses are
examined on an individual basis by the award leader to determine an individual’s advanced standing
in the form of waiver of required credit, known as accreditation of prior learning (APL). APL is
recognised within six years of a training qualification and is applied for upon first entry to the
programme.

Student Profiles
Doing the MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy gave me the opportunity I had been looking for to
study my specific area of interest, that of dream analysis, within a professional context. Doing the
degree was an engaging and enjoyable experience that I’m glad I didn’t miss out on.
Sam Lucas 2011 MA Graduate

The modules on the course are thoughtful and highly structured. The tutor's input and support
assisted students in developing the knowledge that research and its findings are able to complement
and contribute to the counsellor's/psychotherapist's work, as they become more open to
clients' unique needs and experiences.
Sara Cole 2012 MA Graduate

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Fees
The fees quoted below are for the academic year 2012-2013 and may be subject to change. Please
visit http://www2.bathspa.ac.uk/schools/education/cpd/prospective-costs.asp for the latest
information on fees and adult professional and career development loans for this and next academic
year.

UK fees: £385 per 15-credit module, plus £1,535 for the final MA dissertation.

Financial support and assistance

Qualified UK teachers (with QTS) can apply for CPD funding and various grants. Further details
are available at http://www.education.gov.uk/b00208025/national-scholarship-fund
The PMP is recognised under the government’s professional and 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 Masters level ‘7’ (or
equivalent) can apply for assessment of prior learning (APL) and can also negotiate a pro rata fee
reduction.
For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit
www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact 0800 100 900.

Snapshot
Awards
MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice
PG Dip in Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice

Course Length
The MA can take up to six years part-time though normally completed in two to three years
The PG Dip can take up to 4 years part-time though normally completed in one to two years

Course Location
The course is run through distance learning with potential face-to-face tutorials at present held
either in central Bath or the Newton Park campus, Bridgwater or North Devon.
Key Features
flexible study arrangements allowing you to choose from a range of accredited short modules or
longer programmes of study
flexible learning linked to your specialist interest in counselling and psychotherapy practice
pay-as-you-learn flexible modules with staged payment scheme available via our finance office
Applications
Applications are completed via the CPD office. Please contact the CPD Administrator for an
application form, admissions procedure and for all other enquiries.

Enquiries Please contact the CPD admin office T: 01225 875593 E: cpdadmin@bathspa.ac.uk
Address: CPD Admin, School of Education, Bath Spa University, Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BN.

Counselling2013_course_flyer_21Jan13

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