Master of Arts in Community-Based Counselling Psychology

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to produce a learner who is equipped with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to register and practise as an autonomous and socially responsible counselling psychologist, in accordance with the regulations and standards as set down by the Professional Board of Psychology (Health Professions Council of South Africa). Further, the learner is equipped with advanced research and academic knowledge and skills with applicability in the field of mental health. The purpose of the qualification is also to enhance the career of the postgraduate by qualifying him/her as a community-based counselling psychologist. Further, the purpose of the qualification is to produce Postgraduates who can contribute to the economy and social well-being of South Africa by providing counselling services in community-based contexts.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Learners who fall outside of the regular admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Institution that they have a qualification or experiential- or work-based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Learners who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but need further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary qualifications prior to admission or parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, NQF Level 8.

1. The qualifying learner can access and process information using a range of technologies.

1.1 Possess range of terminology and key concepts to be found within community-based counselling psychology, in the South African and the International literature.

1.2 Apply knowledge of specialist primary and secondary community-counselling psychology and research resources, and methodologies.

1.3 Possess an extensive, in-depth meta-cognitive understanding of own position about debates within community-based counselling psychology and cognate disciplines.

1.4 Possess sophisticated understanding of the role of self and supervision in community-based counselling practice.

1. The qualifying learner can communicate and produce information using a range of technologies.

2.1 Possess a sophisticated understanding of academic and professional conventions in community-based counselling psychology.

2.2 Understand current debates and research findings about community counselling intervention and presentation of community counselling information.

1. The qualifying learner demonstrates critical analytic competence and problem solving.

3.1 Apply knowledge of critical and analytic approaches in relation to the subject matter, tools and techniques of community-based counselling psychology.

3.2 Critically consider plausible diagnoses, problem formulations and possible interventions in the field of community-based counselling psychology.

1. The qualifying learner demonstrates research competence.

4.1 Possess advanced knowledge of research methods and their application.

4.2 Possess in-depth knowledge of relevant literature.

4.3 Contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

1. The qualifying learner shows competence to manage her/himself.

5.1 Apply knowledge of the importance of individual responsibility about community-based counselling practice, continuing professional development, and research.

5.2 Possess advanced knowledge needed for self-directed, learning and practice.

5.3 Apply knowledge of what characterises a sophisticated self-reflective community-based counselling practitioner.

1. The qualifying learner demonstrates social competence.

6.1 Understand group dynamics, processes and roles, and when to use them for desired outcomes.

6.2 Understand the range of diversity in own and other contexts.

6.3 Understand social skills and apply them appropriately within the professional context.

1. The qualifying learner shows ecosystemic competence.

7.1 Understand the position of counselling and community psychology about cognate disciplines.

7.2 Understand the interrelated nature of multi-disciplinary and collegial working relations.

7.3 Demonstrate awareness of the complex interface between community-based counselling practice and political, social and economic forces.

1. The qualifying learner shows disciplinary and professional competence (can substitute field of enquiry for discipline).

8.1 Possess knowledge of the concepts, skills, tools, theories and analytic practices which are accepted and contested within the discipline.

8..2 Be familiar with related fields of enquiry as linked with developments in the discipline.

Possess sophisticated selection of search strategies for appropriate databases and information resources.

• Possess, synthesise, and critically evaluate different kinds of data and texts within the contextual and conceptual framework of community-based counselling psychology.
• Determine and justify own position within the practice framework of community-based counselling psychology.
• Make optimal use of self and supervision as sources of information.
• Use appropriate conventions and representational technologies to sustain cogent arguments.
• Present clear integrated and insightful clinical case- and assessment reports.
• Demonstrate competence in the use of specialist communication with both clients and colleagues.
• Critically examine models, assessment procedures and intervention techniques.
• Critically evaluate the limitations of different theoretical models in relation to practice and contextual realities, and suggest alternatives.
• Design, execute and write-up a scholarly research report that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the domain of community-based counselling psychology.
• Demonstrate competence as a purposeful and reflective practitioner, scholar and researcher.
• Demonstrate a capacity to balance and manage a range of commitments.
• Demonstrate an ability to function effectively within a group-learning and multi-disciplinary context.
• Work constructively with diversity within a dynamic/changing situation.
• Demonstrate independence, initiative, creativity, purposefulness and co-operation in professional relations.
• Demonstrate an advanced ability to plan, execute and evaluate professional practice and research which takes into account notions of inter-relatedness and reciprocity.
• Demonstrate competence in assessment and intervention methods.
• Apply knowledge and methods from related fields where appropriate and necessary.

Integrated Assessment

A battery of assessment instruments, including written and oral examinations, selected essays and assignments, the completion of an accredited internship, and a research report within specified parameters which contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the domain of community-based counselling psychology.