Master of Arts in Integrative Counselling (Top-Up)

The course objectives and learning outcomes are as follow:

1. Demonstrate a reflective and critical awareness of the ethical and professional problems to which psychotherapy and counselling research may give rise.
2. Integrate and synthesise knowledge, theories and concepts from a range of disciplines in the analysis of contemporary social issues and take a critical, evidenced based view to determine ‘best practice’ in psychotherapy and related professions.
3. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, or in groups, problem solve, generating and communicating research-based evidence that supports anti-discriminatory and best practice.
4. Demonstrate the professional capabilities and transferable skills necessary for employment in psychotherapy and related settings and application of inter-professional concepts to the development of professional practice.

The MA ‘top-up’ consists of two core modules: Understanding Social Research and Evaluation (20 credits) and the Dissertation (40 credits). Students will be graduates of a course which is the equivalent to 120 UK Higher Education level 7 credits in the subject area, requiring a ‘top-up’ to a full master’s award.

1. Formulate a research proposal and working hypothesis as part of designing a piece of research.
2. Critically understand some of the epistemological and ontological issues involved in research methodology.
3. Demonstrate a sensitive awareness of the ethical and political problems to which research may give rise.
4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of qualitative methods and ways of assuring validity and reliability within them, thus synthesising different philosophies of interpretation of data and a clear methodological position.

1. Synthesise knowledge and understanding of the wider contexts of professional practice and in doing so demonstrate a critical understanding of local, national and global perspectives.
2. Formulate the contribution that project findings will make to the growth of inter-professional theory through dissemination.
3. Provide a reflexive analysis of the role of 'self' in the research and evaluate the impact of undertaking the project on their personal, professional and academic development.
4. Show highly developed skills in the discovery and analysis of a body of knowledge, which is either an extension of information covered in the course or a topic not previously presented as an assignment.

Assessment will be through coursework, comprising a research proposal and a dissertation.

Students must successfully complete and pass all the stipulated course modules to be awarded the Master of Arts in Psychotherapy.

All students are required to attend the Induction on Tuesday 17 September 2024 from 7pm to 9pm.  The Zoom details will be emailed to you.

Disclaimer: All terms, schedules, and prices are subject to change without prior notice and at the discretion of College of Allied Educators.