MSc in Applied Psychology – Counseling Psychology

Counseling Psychology

Counseling Psychology is a specialty in applied psychology that uses a broad range of techniques to help people improve their well-being, prevent and alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better in their lives. Counseling psychologists support personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span and pays particular attention to emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns.

MSc in Applied Psychology – Counseling Psychology at CIRP

This is a master’s level qualification designed to train counseling psychologists who are able to provide counseling and therapeutic services to individuals, couples, families and groups. Upon completing the program successfully and a period of supervised training you will gain the competency and confidence to support and guidance to those you seek help.

Modules of the program covers both academic and practitioner aspects to provide the required knowledge as well as the counseling and therapeutic skills.

Developed by a panel of eminent psychologists and directors of postgraduate psychology program in UK universities, the curriculum matches international standards as well as the requirements of the local context.

What do counseling psychologists do?

Counseling Psychologists provide support to peoples in a range of areas including, but not limited to:

1. Marital and relationship counseling

2. Managing anxiety and irrational fears

3. Substance and behavioral addictions

4. Negative effects of loss and failure

5. Issues with social interactions

6. Family conflicts and effects of family events

7. Low intensity psychological conditions

8. Work place issues and Life Issues

9. Issues with motivation and goal attainment

10. Adapting to new situations

11. Negative effects of Retirement and loss of job

12. Effects of Traumatic Events

13. Anger and emotional control

14. Teenage and Adolescent counseling

15. School Counseling

16. Lifestyle modification  

How is this program delivered?

Program includes acquisition of knowledge as well as practitioner skills. Knowledge is delivered through different face to face teaching techniques such as lectures, small group discussions, tutorials and seminars.

Practitioner skill acquisition is through workshop, case study discussions and supervised training. Certain amount of supervised training will take place during the program, however it is a must that students obtain sufficient supervised training before they start independent practice.

Why is supervised training important?

Becoming a counseling psychologist requires one to acquire sophisticated mental, inter-personal and communication skills to prevent any form of harm to the clients or the psychologist him/her self. Therefore a properly organized and supervised training is a must for anyone  interested in practicing as a counseling psychologist.

Anyone who doesn’t meet the required number of supervised training hours will not be able to obtain any form of licensing in Sri Lanka or abroad.  CIRP provides opportunities for it’s students to obtain supervised training within the program and also after completing the qualification.

Why is MSc in  Counseling Psychology at CIRP is popular?

1. Elective modules that provide students to gain skills in particular areas of counseling psychology.

2. Excellent curriculum designed to match global standards, we welcome any potential student to compare the content before signing up to make an informed decision.

3. Teaching and Training by over 5 visiting professors from UK universities and top Sri Lankan psychologists.

4. Training provided at CIRP’s own therapeutic center and in collaboration with other hospitals and private clinics.

5. Strong track record of postgraduate training in Psychology over a decade, graduating over a thousand students with masters.

Program Structure

Qualification Title           : Master of Science in Applied Psychology – Counseling Psychology

Qualification Level         : Master’s Degree – UK RQF Level 7

Awarding Body                 : Partner University        

RQF Credits                        : 180 UK Credits

 Module Structure

Core Modules  

1              History and Philosophy of Psychology                                10 Credits

2              Psychological Assessments                                               10 Credits

3              Professional Skills and Core Competencies                       20 Credits

4              Applied Theory and Practice of Psychology in Adults      30 Credits

5              Research Methods                                                             30 Credits

6              Dissertation                                                                       60 Credits

Electives

1              Community Mental Health: Promotion and Prevention                                20 Credits

2              Criminal and Forensic Psychology                                                            20 Credits

The programme welcomes applications from those with a wide variety of educational qualifications.

Students require one of the following:

BSc (Hons) / BA (Hons)  Psychology

BSc / BA Degree in a related discipline with at least 120 Credits in Psychology at normally 2:2 or equivalent.

Or MBBS / Nursing / Other relevant Bachelor’s Degree in allied health sciences with a Graduate Diploma / Adv. Diploma of at least 120 Credits in Core Psychology subjects or with 5 years  of experience in practicing counseling  

Admissions Procedures and Selection Criteria

Applicants will be selected by the course  team on the basis of information provided in the internal application form and the supporting statement. 

The following criteria are taken into account:

All candidates should be approved following a face to face interview where the academic interests, required maturity, moral values and ethics of the individual is assessed.

All candidates should pass the academic writing proficiency test conducted by CIRP, criminal records check and an occupational health check or equivalent.

In this program student will be working with vulnerable groups and therefore in addition to the above criteria all students should provide evidence of their physical and mental health, police report with regard to character or any criminal convictions. The course team headed by the program director should be satisfied that the students are suitable and fit to be enrolled to the program.

English language requirements:

Applicants must demonstrate a good command of the English Language to allow them to succeed on their programme of study.

Where English is not the first language or the applicant has not been educated mainly in English, s/he should possess a certificate showing achievement in the following:

Criteria 1. IELTS 6.5.

Criteria 2. Have successfully completed an academic or a professional qualification of a minimum of three (03) years full time study or equivalent that is delivered and assessed only in English Medium.

Applicants should also be able to evidence:

Commitment and motivation to undertake Postgraduate study. This may be demonstrated through their supporting statement.

Knowledge of their professional role and those of the team around them. This may be

demonstrated through their professional qualification(s) and application.

Interest in critical care and the enhancement of care through quality improvement. This may

be demonstrated through their application.

Assessments

Students are assessed using Course work, Assignments, Written exams, Presentations and Training Logbooks  based on a modular framework