Diploma in Psychology (Counselling Psychology)

Course details

Counselling Psychology focuses on providing therapeutic treatments to clients who experience a wide variety of symptoms. It is also one of the largest specialty areas within psychology. The Specialist Diploma in Psychology majoring in Counselling Psychology covers two core units of which, one is counselling and communication skills that helps students to experience the core conditions and skills of counselling, examine cases of counselling in action and the professional and practical issues raised by counselling practice. It also covers the unit of self-awareness & group dynamics that introduces and appraises some of the major perspectives in the study of personality. The unit will undertake a broad-based review of different approaches and applications within the field of personality.

Structure & Content

To qualify for the award of Specialist Diploma in Psychology (Counselling Psychology), students are required to complete eight (8) units comprising:

Four (4) Core Units

• Psychology Around Us
• Human Development from a Psychologist's Perspective
• Psychology: Statistics & Research Methods
• Critical Thinking in Social Psychological Context

Two (2) Specialisation Units in Counselling Psychology

• Counselling & Communication Skills
• Self-Awareness & Group Dynamics

Two (2) units from other specialisations

• Applied Business Psychology
• Crisis Stress Management

• Disorders of Infancy & Childhood
• Early Childhood & Development

Assessment Methods

Each module is assessed by a combination of class participation, written assignments (inpidual and/or group assignments), project or examinations. Assessment modes may differ according to inpidual module requirements.

Students will attend a combination of face-to-face lectures and tutorials in this programme.

Entry Requirements

This is an industry-oriented programme and applicants are required to have a minimum of two (2) years working experience. Applicants should also possess one (1) of the following:

• Full GCE 'A' level, OR
• ITE Higher Nitec, OR
• High School Qualification equivalent to Year Twelve (12) in the case of international students, OR
• SMF Institute Certificate in Foundation Studies
• Matured candidates of age 21 and above with substantial working experience would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in the English Language (EL1) or its equivalent:

• GCE 'O' level with grade C6 & above, OR
• IELTS minimum band score of 5.5 (Reading and Listening 5.5) and (Writing and Speaking 5.0) OR
• TOEFL score of at least 525 (paper-based) or 200 (computer-based) or 70 (Internet-based)
• Pass SMF Institute English Placement Test