2. MASTER OF ARTS in GUIDANCE COUNSELLING AND LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT 2014Dr. Lucy Hearne, Course Director Lucy.hearne@ul.ie

3. MA in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development 2 year part-time initial training qualification at QQI Level 9 Award: 90 ECTS credits Currently in approval process by the DES, and being reviewed by Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) Does not provide a recognised teaching qualification as required by the Teaching Council. Quality assured through evaluation throughout curriculum delivery Requires a high level of personal and professional commitment from participants in terms of attendance, contribution, self-directed learning and time management

4. Programme Entry Requirements A Degree in Education at 2.2 or above from a concurrent undergraduate programme, or a Higher Diploma/Masters in Education, or an approved equivalent professional teaching qualification or An Honours Degree at 2.2 or above in a cognate discipline such as psychology, social and community work, human resources and health sciences. Consideration will also be given to candidates in line with UL's Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Where candidates are non-native English language speakers, they must also satisfy the English Language requirements of UL. Selection is a competitive process and shortlisting will take place prior to an interview (group and individual in last week of April).

5. Programme Aims To provide practicing teachers and other relevant professionals with a recognised professional qualification in Guidance Counselling To support the development of a range of knowledge, skills and competencies for practitioners within a lifelong learning framework of delivery To promote self-understanding and personal insight in order to deliver an effective guidance counselling service to clients

6. Core Learning Outcomes of MA Theoretical knowledge, skills and competencies needed to support clients within a personal, social, educational and vocational guidance counselling framework Critical awareness of ethical and professional issues Personal leadership in management of an effective, contemporary guidance counselling service Practitioner-based research methodologies to contribute to the growth of evidence-based research Independent learning, critical thinking and integration of theoretical concepts within everyday practice and specific research contexts

7. Programme Delivery Total delivery: Location: Carrick on Shannon Education Centre 13 modules = 9 class contact modules + 2 placement modules and 2 dissertation modules 2 modules in Autumn and Spring semesters for two years (a 12 week semester): involves 8 weekends out of 12 (Friday evening 6.30 – 9.30pm and Saturday 9.00 – 4.00pm) 1 full weekend residential (off-campus) in Spring semester Year 1, 2 Summer School modules (5 days per module) in Summer semester Year 1, approx at end of June/early July Classes begin around second week in September (based on UL academic calendar, not available yet).

8. Programme Curriculum Year 1: Semester 1Semester 2Summer Semester EN5311 Counselling Theory & Practice 1 (6 ECTS) EN5331 Psychology of Human Development (6 ECTS) EN6091 Advanced Research Methods (6 ECTS) EN6141 Professional Practice in Guidance Counselling (6 ECTS) EN6142 Theory & Skills of Experiential Group Learning (6 ECTS) EN5320 Theory & Practice of Psychological Testing (6 ECTS) Year 2: Semester 1Semester 2Summer Semester EN5313 Counselling Theory & Practice 2 (6 ECTS) EN5321 Guidance in Adult & Continuing Education (6 ECTS) EN6143 Dissertation 2 (18 ECTS) EN6093 Contemporary Perspectives on Vocational Development & Progression Across the Lifespan (6 ECTS) EN6034 Practicum 2: Educational Practice Placement (3 ECTS) EN6133 Practicum 1: Educational Practice Placement (3 ECTS) EN6044 Dissertation 1 (12 ECTS)

9. Programme Curriculum Second Year Educational Placement of 72 hours under mentorship of a qualified Guidance Counsellor on site in the placement. Students secure this placement themselves. Can be in secondary, further education, third level, adult guidance sector. Students need to complete 6-10 personal counselling sessions with accredited Counsellor, Psychologist or Psychotherapist in each academic year in line with best practice in the profession

10. UL Student Learning Supports Student Handbooks: UL and programme specific UL Library Facilities: Textbooks, Online Journals/Databases, Induction by library staff, Faculty Librarian Programme Moodle site for uploading documents Harvard / UL Referencing System “Cite It Right” to be used by students, - see UL library website One to Two Tutorials per Semester outside of class time Ongoing contact with Class Representatives Assigned supervisors from Faculty for Dissertation supervision Course Director/Faculty Tutors Open Access Times

11. FURTHER INFORMATION Guidance Counselling UL application process; http://www.ul.ie/graduateschool/course/guidance-counselling- lifespan-development-ma National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE); http://www.ncge.ie http://www.ncge.ie Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC); http://www.igc.iehttp://www.igc.ie Department of Education and Skills (DES); http://www.education.ie http://www.education.ie