MA Counselling Psychology (Coursework)

Programme information

This programme offers integrated academic, practical and professional training in counselling psychology.

The programme is a two-year full-time programme and is based on the researcher(50%)-practitioner(50%) model. All courses within all the modules of the researcher and practitioner training need to be passed to obtain the MA (Counselling Psychology) degree.

Once a student has successfully completed the MA (Counselling Psychology) degree, such student can apply for registration as an intern counselling psychologist with the Professional Board for Psychology at the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to do a one year full-time internship in Counselling Psychology. After successfully completing the internship in counselling psychology and the board exam of the Professional Board for Psychology at the HPCSA, an intern counselling psychologist can apply for registration as a counselling psychologist with the Professional Board for Psychology at the HPCSA. Such registration is subject to the regulations of the Professional Board for Psychology at the time of registration.

A.       Researcher training

Researcher training entails 50% of the MA (Counselling Psychology) programme. During the two-year period students are expected to sucessfully write a research proposal, conduct a research project and to write a mini-dissertation (VOS 895).

B.      Practitioner training

Practitioner training entails 50% of the MA (Counselling Psychology) programme. During the two-year period academic and practical training is done. The academic training is done via three core modules and two elective modules. The core modules are: Fundamentals of Psychology (SLK 801), Psychological assessment (SLK 806) and Counselling Psychology (SLK 802). The elective modules are: Community Psychology (SLK 804) and Sports Psychology (SLK 805). The training is delivered by means of didactic instruction and/or experiential learning. The practical training that is done by the students is arranged by the Department of Psychology on a yearly basis.

C.     Professional development

Besides the researcher and practitioner training, the professional development of the students is addressed on a continuous basis in all modules during the two-year period. The professional development of students entails professional practice and professional identity development. The professional practice component focuses on the ethical and legal framework in which counselling psychologists practice, while professional identity development focuses on the “person” of the prospective counselling psychologist, the student.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations and programmes of the University of Pretoria. Amendments to or updating of the information may be effected from time to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained here is therefore not guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness of the information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against the University by any party whatsoever.