Masters in Human Relations and Counselling

Welcome to the Masters in Human Relations and Counselling course. HDS and Robert Gordon University have collaborated to produce an innovative and exciting Masters programme.

This three-year part-time training will lead to the award of MSc and is an advanced professional training for Psychodynamic Counsellors.

The MSc has been designed to provide students with an excellent clinical training, fully integrated with the knowledge, research and experience of the skills that will be necessary for those working in the modern NHS, the third sector and in private practice. Students are qualified to practice as a Psychodynamic Counsellor on completion of the Post Graduate Diploma level (PGDip) and can choose to complete the programme at that level.

Who is the course aimed at?

The course is ideal for people who currently use elements of counselling in their day-to-day work and would like to take further steps towards enhancing their practice and deepening their professional capacity.

It is also for individuals looking for a change in career. Participants who successfully complete all elements of the course at the PGDip level can register as a Psychodynamic Counsellor. The third, Masters year, focussing on research with an emphasis on linking research with practice.

By choosing to focus on the psychodynamic relational perspective, you will learn about the importance of early life experience and of our human environment in determining modes of human relationships and patterns of behaviour. The course focuses on the latest research findings about infant and child development, and on evidence-based psychoanalytic ideas; it includes attachment theory, leading-edge trauma theory developments, day-to-day existential dilemmas, families, groups, advanced interpersonal and clinical skills, group work, plus organisational dynamics. The psychodynamic and relational ethos underpins the interactions of students, supervisors and staff.

Aims of the three-year programme

The programme aims to:

• Prepare students to become practising Psychodynamic Counsellors who work sensitively, competently and ethically. • Equip students to act in an autonomous practitioner role as Psychodynamic Counsellors with individual clients by the acquisition and integration of the relevant clinical skills, a theoretical framework, and enhanced critically reflective self-awareness, thus bringing students to the level of eligibility in respect of training requirements to apply for COSCA or BACP accreditation. • Support students in developing a familiarity with the range of social, cultural and religious contexts from which clients may be drawn, so that they may acquire competence as a professional and culturally sensitive practitioner. • Facilitate and develop students’ awareness of the ethical principles and personal qualities required to practise as a Psychodynamic Counsellor. • Develop students’ capacity to use clinical supervision to support competent and ethical practice and professional development. • Enable students to become confident in the use of research skills and to use those skills in the development of the Psychodynamic Counselling research base.

Masters in Human Relations and Counselling

Programme structure

8 modules over 3 years, 180 SCQF points, integrating theory, practice and research.

• Year 1 (PGCert): Professional Practice 1, The Psychodynamics of Being Human, Families,

Groups and Organisations. • Year 2 (PGDip): Professional Practice 2, Identity, Trauma. • Year 3 (MSc) : Research, Capstone Project.

Supervised clinical practice and personal therapy are additional requirements of the course.

For more information about the programme timetable, please visit our website:

www.hds.scot

Academic and professional validation

The course has full professional validation by COSCA.

This programme is managed, delivered and awarded by Human Development Scotland and leads to an award on the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework. It has been credit rated by Robert Gordon University.

Masters in Human Relations and Counselling

Entry requirements

Entry to the MSc year is through completion of the PGDip Human Relations and Counselling in the previous 5 years.

Equivalent PG Diplomas from other institutions will be considered.

Costs

For the latest information about fees, please visit our website: www.hds.scot

Tuition fees do not include personal therapy or work placement clinical supervision. Applicants should take this into account when applying.

Course fees are reviewed annually. They will usually increase in line with inflation and reflect any increase in university accreditation/registration fees.

Enquiries & Application

If you have any questions about the programme, please email: courses@hds.scot or call us on 0141 331 2419.

Application forms are located on our website: www.hds.scot where you will also find the latest information about application deadline dates and interview dates.