This part-time programme is aimed at practitioners offering guidance to adults making choices about education, training, employment and personal development.
The programme leading to Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MEd award in Adult Guidance is designed to support the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) needs of adult guidance professionals. The course is modular in format, giving each student maximum flexibility in planning an individual programme. Study guides help to minimise attendance but tutorial support is available through face-to-face workshops and a range of technologies.
The course integrates with other Faculty of Education postgraduate provision, allowing progression to higher degree studies. Facilities exist for the Accreditation of Prior Formal Learning (APFL) and the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Tailored arrangements for groups of employees can be negotiated.
Entry Requirements
First degree or relevant professional qualification, or a combination of qualifications and experience demonstrating capacity for postgraduate study. Applicants should be employed in a professional post allowing study of the practice of adult guidance or have access to comparable opportunities. All applicants will have the opportunity of a pre-entry interview.
The closing date for applications for the next course is end of September 2013.
Key Features:
- Aimed at practitioners offering guidance to adults making choices about education, training, employment and personal development
- Academic rigour: modelling important values and principles; establishing a culture of enquiry based on the integration of research and theory and its application to practice
- Supporting the development of practice competence by encouraging reflection on alternative theoretical perspectives and policy
- Developing transferable skills in communication, the use of new technology, and critical evaluation.
- Progression from Postgraduate Certificate to Diploma/MEd and research degrees.
Course Structure
The Certificate is made up of three core modules (60 SM credits). The Diploma involves completion of the Certificate programme and is made up of one core module and one option module (120 SM credits). The MEd involves, in addition, a mandatory module on Research Methods and the preparation of an 8000-10,000 word thesis on an adult guidance topic (180 SM credits).
Core Modules:
- The Organisation and Practice of Adult Guidance
- Counselling Skills and Interviewing Techniques in Adult Guidance
- Using Information Resources and Marketing Strategies in Adult Guidance
- Work Based Learning Agreement (Diploma)
Option Modules (Diploma only)
- Professional and Ethical Issues in Guidance
- Additional Support Needs and Adult Guidance
Elective Modules:
- Option modules may also be selected from other Masters programmes
Module Cost:
- The current cost is £325 per module for Home students. Different costs apply for some overseas students.
Who is the course aimed at:
- Front line guidance staff and professionals with a guidance role from a range of organisations
Previous participants have attended from the following sectors:
- Further and Higher Education Colleges
- Voluntary organisations
- British Forces Education Service
- Community Education
- Private Training Providers
- National Health Trusts
- Careers Service
- Local Councils
Some of the benefits for professionals:
- Professional and personal development
- Flexible delivery
- Opportunity to match theory with practice
- Can progress to Diploma and MEd
Aberdeen College were asked why they had committed to offer the PG Certificate to 19 of their guidance staff (the university staff held the workshops on an outreach basis at Aberdeen College)
Photo of course co-ordinator and some of the students.
Why did you choose the PG Certificate in Adult Guidance for your guidance staff?
Aberdeen College is committed to supporting the professional development needs of all its staff and has indicated a number of targets as part its Professional Development Strategy. One of these targets is to support all Guidance Tutors complete a relevant and up to date guidance qualification.
What was the reason that Aberdeen College decided to commit to CPD for all their guidance staff?
Aberdeen College has made a commitment in its Professional Development Strategy to 'Support the continuing professional development of all our staff to ensure their skills and qualifications are up-to-date and that they are equipped to meet the needs of students and employers'. The College recognises that Guidance Tutors have a direct impact on the learning experience of its students. The achievement of this qualification will ensure students receive the professional help and support they need to increase their personal autonomy and provide them with more informed choices.
Have you seen any benefits as a result of your staff undertaking this course?
Given the number of participants (19) the College invited Strathclyde University to deliver the modules on site. This has brought a number of benefits including widening the Guidance Tutors existing knowledge of the guidance process, improved practices in this process, greater confidence in dealing with guidance issues and not least supporting each other as a team in working towards achievement of the qualification. In the College HMIe Review of November 2007 our Guidance and Support function was graded Very Good with no major points for action and this can be seen to be a direct result of the effort and resources invested in this area.
The Adult Guidance Course is part of the M Ed programme further details of the whole programme can be found at: http://www.strath.ac.uk/humanities/courses/education/courses/med/
Apply for the MEd/PgDip/PgCert Adult Guidance
Contact
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
