Taught course

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Institution
University of Cumbria · Counselling
Qualifications
MA

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a first or second class honours degree.

Months of entry

September

Course content

If you're interested in supporting people and the world of the psyche intrigue you, you can make an immense impact on the lives of others by becoming a counsellor or psychotherapist.

You can combine your compassionate character with the academic knowledge and practical skills you need to competently and compassionately help people explore their difficulties, express their feelings and work towards deeper self-awareness and understanding.

COURSE OVERVIEW

On this course, you will explore how to work with others as they explore and experience pain/trauma. Throughout, you will consider mental health and illness and work with clients presenting with a wide range of issues – including those who are suicidal, experiencing grief, loss, or trauma.

You will learn to fully comprehend the processes your clients go through and will train to become emotionally and psychologically resilient– a key trait required for your future as a therapist. Our aim is to see you become an ethically competent practitioner who can positively transform the lives of clients and alleviate their personal distress in both a professional and reflective way. During the course, you will need to complete 100 supervised counselling practice hours.

ON THIS COURSE YOU WILL...

    • Explore and apply counselling and psychotherapeutic literature to current issues, contexts and experiences with a specific focus on the person centred modality.
    • Be given high quality support and guidance by our lecturing team who are active in their research and practice.
    • Learn valuable transferrable skills in PG research, which are highly sought after by employers.
    • Have the opportunity to choose topics and areas that you want to learn more about to tailor your learning experience through your assessments e.g. ethical dilemmas, literature reviews an case studies.
    • On graduation, you will be eligible to apply for individual membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and may also apply for registration, subject to passing the BACP Certificate of Proficiency.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

You will learn to adopt a person-centred approach to your work, with the opportunity to learn about and critically evaluate other approaches such as CBT, solution-focused and systemic ways of working. Though the focus is on adults, you will also be introduced to working with couples, children and families. Emphasis is placed on developing research skills and your understanding of evidence-based practice.

During the course, you will need to do 100 supervised counselling practice hours. You will be expected to make arrangements for your own placement but will be offered support from the counselling team.

In the first semester, you will attend a weekend residential that focuses on your personal and professional development, and you will also be expected to have 10 hours of your own personal therapy.

Year one
  • Theory and Practice 1
  • Theory and Practice 2
  • Personal and Professional Development 1

Year two

  • Personal and Professional Development 2
  • Attachment and Adversity
  • Understanding Therapeutic Diversity

Year 3

  • Research Methods
  • Undertaking and Presenting Research

Fees and funding

UK students
£2,634
International students
£8,833

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MA
    part time
    36 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Enquiry Centre
Email
enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk
Phone
0330 057 2396