MASTER OF ARTS in GUIDANCE COUNSELLING AND LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT 2017 Entry Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Programme Contacts Programme Director: Dr. Lucy Hearne, Email: Lucy.hearne@ul.ie Programme Administrator: Mairead Condon, Email: Mairead.condon@ul.ie Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Programme Aims Provide practicing teachers and other relevant professionals with a recognised professional qualification in guidance counselling Support development of relevant knowledge, skills and competencies in guidance counselling on a Level 9 programme (i.e. UL; DES; IGC; QQI) To promote self-understanding and personal insight of trainees in order for them to be able to deliver an effective guidance counselling service to clients across the lifespan Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Core Learning Outcomes Development of theoretical knowledge, skills and competencies within a personal/social, educational and vocational guidance counselling framework across the individual’s lifespan Acquisition of personal leadership skills to manage an effective, contemporary guidance counselling service Cultivation of critical awareness of ethical and professional issues in practice Gain knowledge of practitioner-based research methodologies to contribute to growth of evidence-based research Growth in independent learning, critical thinking and integration of theoretical concepts within everyday practice and specific research contexts Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Programme Delivery Locations for 2017: University of Limerick Campus and Carrick on Shannon Education Centre Curriculum: Total of 13 modules = * 9 taught classroom-based modules + 2 educational practice placement modules and 2 dissertation modules 7 Taught modules delivered in Autumn and Spring semesters of Year 1 & 2 (12 week semester) 2 Taught modules (5 full days per module) delivered in Summer Semester Year 1, approximately at end of June/early July Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Programme Delivery (Semestered Timetable) For UL campus: 1 module mid-week x 12 weeks (Weds 6.30pm to 9.30pm) + 1 module x 6 weekends (Saturdays 9am to 4pm) For Carrick campus: 2 modules delivered over 8 out of 12 weekends (Friday 6.30pm to 9.30pm & Sat 9 am to 4pm) Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Programme Curriculum Year 1: Semester 1 Year 1: Semester 2 Year 1: Summer 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 1 Year 2: Semester 2 Year 2: Summer 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) Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Year 2: Practicum Placement Practicum Placement of 96 hours in guidance service to be completed by trainee under direct mentorship of a qualified Guidance Counsellor on site in the placement from middle/end of August to end of April. MA trainees secure the placement themselves. It is separate to any other professional work they are involved in, e.g. teaching hours Can be in secondary, further or third level education, adult guidance sector, public employment sector. Advisable to have planned for this placement well in advance of Year 2. Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Year 2: Dissertation Practice-based research project Empirical enquiry method Wordcount: 20,000 words Assigned research supervisor in Year 2 Submission of dissertation in Autumn Year 2 Research Methods training provided in Year 1 (EN6091 Advanced Research Methods) Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Personal Counselling Requirement Trainees need to complete 6-10 personal counselling sessions with accredited Counsellor, Psychologist or Psychotherapist in each academic year (from September onwards) It is a specific requirement of the programme to gain the qualification and in line with best practice in the profession. Trainees source and pay for this counselling support Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Learning Supports Handbooks: UL and MA programme specific Programme Sulis site for resources, communication and assignment uploading UL Library Facilities: Textbooks, Online Journals/Databases, Induction by library staff, EHS Faculty Librarian Harvard / UL Referencing System “Cite It Right” to be used in all course work, - see UL library website 1-2 Tutorials per Semester outside of class time UL Careers Centre UL Disability Support Service Regional Writing Centre UL ITD Services Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017

Further Information UL online application form for MA: http://www.ul.ie/graduateschool/course/guidance-counselling- lifespan-development-ma National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE): http://www.ncge.ie Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC): http://www.igc.ie Department of Education and Skills (DES): http://www.education.ie Dr. L. Hearne, SoE, 2017