The Postgraduate Diploma In Guidance And Counselling
(formerly Higher Diploma in Guidance and Counselling)
University College Cork
2007-2008
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a guidance counsellor?
A guidance counsellor is a trained professional who advises people on career and related decisions throughout the life-span. The person in the street tends to view guidance as dealing solely with career advice, but the remit of the guidance counsellor is much broader than this. It comprises three strands: career counselling, educational counselling and personal/social counselling. Most people encounter the guidance counsellor first in second level schools, but guidance counsellors also work in community settings, with university graduates, and in services for early school leavers, adult career changers and unemployed people.
Why should I apply for this course?
Because you want to train as a guidance counsellor. The course takes one year full-time to complete. It commenced in 1981, is highly regarded nationally, and in recent years has also attracted candidates from overseas. It is one of the most intensive and demanding Postgraduate Diploma courses in the College, comprising 18 modules in the theory and practice of guidance counselling, including school and industrial placements and supervised counselling and guidance experience. Current intake is 20 students per year. The course is offered co-operatively by the Departments of Applied Psychology and Education. The teaching team includes staff from both Departments, along with a wide variety of professional part-time staff. The professional backgrounds of the team include psychology, counselling, education and business.
What is the philosophy of the course?
The training is designed to produce reflective practitioners who have examined their own personal and professional identity and developed a range of skills. The ethos of the course is person-centred - i.e. it offers a model of learning which emphasises the dignity of participants as well as content, support as well as challenge. The students are encouraged to apply this model in their own work setting.
The Director has described the course as follows:
Each year, with excellent support from the Assistant Director and the teaching team, I set up an intensive person-centred learning community. I invite the trainees to put themselves in the pupil role for the year and see how that feels. I tell them that, despite the academic demands of the course, its greatest impact will be on the way they see themselves. I warn them that their awareness of feelings will be heightened on the course, and they will experience, by turns, joy, depression, exhilaration, exhaustion, despair, contentment and more! I share my prediction that in terms of academic results, they will do either well or very well, and that they will feel the year was worthwhile.
At the end of the year, most of them feel changed, as persons and as professionals. In fact, many have said it was the most memorable year of their lives. My belief is that their practice in the workplace is changing the world in small, positive ways.
Do I have to be a teacher to apply?
No. Many of the students have backgrounds in education, but the course has attracted candidates with experience in areas as varied as community and youth work, social work, business, religious ministry, psychology, administration, nursing, welfare, art, music, vocational training, food science and carpentry. Their ages have ranged from 22 to the mid 50s, with the largest concentration in the 25-34 year age group.
Do I have to be a graduate to apply?
No. Non-graduates with appropriate training are eligible for the course, and prior learning and experience are taken into account in selection.
Formally stated, the programme is open to: (1) graduates who have had relevant experience in teaching, industry or community work; (2) such other persons as may be deemed suitable by virtue of their training and experience. Candidates must satisfy a selection committee.
Is it possible for Diplomates to work in schools if they don't have a teaching subject?
To work in a secondary school, you must normally have a teaching degree, or a degree in registrable teaching subjects plus a Postgraduate Diploma / Higher Diploma in Education. School guidance counsellors must normally be qualified teachers. If you do not satisfy these requirements, you are unlikely to get a permanent post, but those without a Postgraduate Diploma / Higher Diploma in Education are currently eligible for temporary positions in secondary schools. Conditions may be slightly different in the vocational education sector.
Apart from schools, where else do Diplomates work?
Because the guidance skills acquired are generic, students are not restricted to working in any particular guidance setting. Diplomates are currently employed in settings such as youth and community work, third level career guidance, adult guidance, counselling agencies, counsellor training, industry, rehabilitation and private consultancy.
What does the curriculum consist of?
Theory, practice and skill development relating to both guidance and counselling. The view is taken that, for the counselling part of the training, students should look at their own vulnerabilities and unfinished issues. Therefore students are strongly advised to attend a counsellor during the course.
What placements are involved?
There are two: school and industrial. The course organises placements in two local schools for one morning a week during the year. The school placement provides an opportunity to practise both vocational guidance and counselling skills. All students participate in the school placement, because this is currently the only setting where we can ensure appropriate supervision. It is likely that child protection regulations will soon require trainees to have a Garda vetting certificate before they can take up a school placement.
We ask students to arrange a second placement in some work setting (large or small, public sector or private enterprise, work paid or voluntary) where they will spend a week's block release investigating aspects of the work environment.
What counselling practice do trainees receive?
There are weekly skills training sessions throughout the year, and in the second term, trainees spend 8-10 sessions counselling a second level student under supervision. Clients are selected in co-operation with school guidance counsellors, because schools provide the safest setting for both clients and trainees.
Can I work part-time during the course?
The course is very demanding in terms of time and effort, both intellectual and emotional. We strongly advise trainees, for the duration of the course, to minimise other commitments and ensure that they have a good supportive network. Regular attendance at all classes is required.
How do I apply for the course?
The course is advertised each year in January/February, with a deadline in March. Application is now electronic via the national Postgraduate Applications Centre
www.pac.ie (Course Code CKC02). In addition to the electronic application, candidates should send to Ronny Swain (see address below) three hard copies of all documentation, which they want the selection committee to see. It is likely that short-listing will take place prior to interview. All candidates offered a place will have been interviewed face-to-face - we insist on this procedure. The selection committee (usually three people) consists of practitioners or teachers in the education / guidance / counseling areas. Interviews take place around Easter and the process is complete by June.
Applicants seeking secondment to the course should make arrangements directly with their employer and the appropriate seconding body (e.g. Department of Education and Science, VEC).
How much does it cost?
The course fee for 2007-08 has not been determined at the time of writing, but is likely to be in the region of €6,000 for EU students (€15,500 for non-EU students). Fees are normally payable in two instalments, one at registration, the other in January. When successful candidates accept a place, they will be asked to pay a refundable deposit of €500. In addition there are placement and supervision fees in the region of €800. Being counselled costs €45-€65 per hour. Written work must be in typescript, and it is assumed that you will prepare this work yourself - if not, it could cost you up to €600. Purchase of textbooks is not compulsory, but most students buy 3-6 important ones, which are likely to cost up to €40 each. Expect further miscellaneous costs of around €100. To these expenses you should add living costs (accommodation, eating, travel, entertainment). It is no longer possible for students to park cars on campus, so those who need to travel by car are likely to have parking charges to pay.
Some students are eligible for grants from local authorities or other bodies. See the booklet Financial Support for Further and Higher Education, published annually by the Student Support Unit, Department of Education and Science, Tullamore, Tel. 057-9325317 (00353-57-9325317).
What are you looking for in the interview?
In general, we are looking for people who have acceptable academic or professional qualifications and/or work experience; who can show that they have reflected on their personal and work experience; who are reasonably confident in working at a human level with others; and who are reasonably comfortable with their own feelings. We like to hear a little about candidates vulnerabilities as well as their strengths, so we are unlikely to be impressed by candidates who present themselves as perfect.
Formally, students are selected on the basis of curriculum vitae, referees reports and interview. The interviewers will rate you on five criteria: (1) academic record; (2) relevant occupational experience; (3) perspective on your current occupational setting; (4) reflectiveness about your own experience; (5) openness to exploring your own feelings.
Where can I find formal details about the course?
Look at the website of University College Cork:
http://apsych.ucc.ie/postgrad.html#diploma
Who should I contact?
The course is administered by the Department of Applied Psychology, University College Cork.
Syllabus details and hard copies (three) of application forms: Ronny Swain, Ph.D. (Course Director: 021-4904518 / r.swain@ucc.ie ).
Application forms / interview schedule: Maura O'Brien, B.A. (Administrative support: maura.obrien@ucc.ie / 021-4904604).
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