Counselling Children and Young People MSc

How is the course structured?

You will ordinarily be required to attend classes for 1-2 days per week (once per week in Year 1 and 2 days per week in year 2, when the research methods and dissertation modules run). A typical teaching day runs from 9am to 5pm. Depending on which group you are allocated to, the core classes will be taught either on Wednesdays or Thursdays. In the second year, you will need to attend research methods and dissertation classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

There are two intensive weeks (Tue-Wed-Thu) in year one, the first of which being held as an induction week at the start of the academic year, whilst the second is a “putting it all together” week toward the end of the second semester.

What is child and adolescent counselling?

Child and adolescent counselling is an area of counselling that enables people to explore the issues that young people face within their behaviour, their mental health and overall well-being. The therapeutic processes and practices employed, including play therapy in child counselling, can be effective in helping young people to express their feelings in a safe and constructive environment.

How do I become a child counsellor?

A postgraduate counselling children degree that specialises in counselling practices for children and young people will best equip you with the essential and most relevant knowledge required to gain a career in this field. To step into this profession, you will need the appropriate certification, relevant professional experience and the necessary skills.

If you have a first degree in psychology which is Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) accredited, your further postgraduate training opportunities will include doctoral training on British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited courses in Counselling Psychology. Graduates from this course will be able to work as a counsellor in a range of settings such as healthcare and educational institutions, residential facilities and community and youth work agencies.

If you have a professional background in areas such as teaching, nursing and social work, you will find this course will strengthen your skills and competencies and allow you to develop a strong specialism in children’s mental health. You will have the skills to appropriately position yourself as a counsellor and will have a good critical and in-depth understanding of professional practices when working with children, young people, families, parents and carers.

Will the university provide me with a placement?

You will need to find your own placement. However, our team is highly committed in supporting you throughout. We are engaged in maintaining and expanding partnerships with placement agencies all over the UK. We have two dedicated placement coordinators who can offer you guidance in evaluating your options.

Do I need to have my placement at Northampton?

No. You can have your placement virtually anywhere in the world, including, of course other areas of the UK, provided that BACP and course requirements are met by the placement. An audit is carried out with all placement agencies to ensure the quality of the placement experience.

How will I learn?

Teaching methods that are used on our Counselling Children and Young People course include lectures, workshops, one-to-one tutorials, private study, online activities, group work and role play scenarios.

How will I be assessed?

Our assessment strategy is designed to include a broad range of assessment methods, in order to ensure that you have the maximum opportunity to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for the course. Assessment methods include: essays, case studies, self-reflective log books, critical reviews, video recorded role plays and oral presentations.

Please note that there are no examinations in this course.

The Research Methods and Dissertation module supports you in completing a supervised, but original and independently undertaken, research project which is assessed through a 12,000 to 15,000 word dissertation.

Is the course accredited, and what difference does it make for me?

The counselling children course is not currently accredited. However, the course is designed to meet the requirements that the BACP has set for counselling courses, therefore it provides you with the opportunity of progressing towards individual applications for personal accreditation. Please be mindful that course accreditation and personal accreditation are two completely different matters.

What happens when I finish the course?

You will be awarded both a Master of Science and a Professional Qualification for Counselling with Children and Young People.

Who can I counsel when I have completed the qualification?

You can counsel virtually any client between 5 and 24. You will not be able to counsel adults. Although you will be trained in conducting interviews with parents in light of your commitment to work with children, this does not qualify you as an adult counsellor.