Master of Education - Counselling Psychology

M.Ed. (Counselling Psychology) Program - DAY CLASSES ONLY

Fall Term 9:00-12:00 noon or 1:30-4:30 pm (each course meets one morning/afternoon per week for 13 weeks, except ED545 - two mornings per week for 12 weeks)

Winter Term 9:00-12:00 noon (each course meets one morning per week for 13 week)

Summer Term (includes Intersession) 9:00-12:00 noon (each course meets two mornings per week for 6 weeks)

Full-Time students - normally takes 5 terms to complete program - 8 half courses + internship for two terms
- may do thesis

Part-Time students - normally takes 10 terms to complete program - 8 half courses + internship for two terms
- may do thesis

The M.Ed. degree in Counselling Psychology is intended for persons who wish to be educated to be psychological service providers in education and other settings or who wish to begin preparation for a career in counselling research and teaching. It emphasizes professional competencies in developmental and therapeutic counselling as well as skills in communication, group processes, human relations, community work, and counselling research. Particular attention is paid to vocational exploration and choice, personal growth, and ethical practice.

At present, the program is designed to cover various age levels as well as such work settings as schools, colleges, clinics, and community agencies.

The M.Ed. (Counselling Psychology) degree may lead to entrance into advanced graduate work at the doctoral level in other institutions or Faculties.

Note: Candidates wishing to work in public school settings as a guidance counsellor must hold a suitable teaching qualification. An M.Ed. (Counselling Psychology) degree is not a qualification per se.

A) Full-time / Part-time Study

Full-time:

Students attending full-time will normally complete the program in five consecutive semesters beginning in September. The first three semesters are devoted to course work, with the remaining two semesters constituting the Internship. (If all course work has been completed in the first year, candidates on leave of absence from employment may return to their positions during the Internship year, providing they are within commuting distance from the Faculty of Education and their work schedule provides for counselling and related activities for at least one half-time of a full work load.)

Part-time:

The program offers part-time study for a limited number of students each year. Applicants for part-time admission must be available to attend courses scheduled during day-time hours.

B) Program of Studies

Graduate students in Counselling Psychology may select either the Thesis Option or the Course Work Option. Maintenance of a B average is required throughout the program.

Thesis Option: A minimum of six half-courses, plus 549 (Internship), plus thesis is required.

Course Work Option: A minimum of eight half-courses, plus 549 (Internship) is required.

Compulsory Courses: The following half-courses are compulsory for students in the M.Ed. (Counselling Psychology) degree program.

542 Assessment in Career and Counselling Psychology
544 Theories of Counselling Psychology
545 Practicum in Counselling
546 Research Design in Counselling
549 Internship in Counselling (full course-two terms)

Elective Courses: Elective courses should fit the student's interests and professional goals. Graduate courses may be selected from any UWO Faculty provided the selected courses are relevant to the student's program. Some electives typically selected from the Faculty of Education are as follows:

523 Developmental Psychology and Education
526 Psychology in Education: Issues, Theories and Practices
543 Group Counselling
550 Ethics and Human Development
553 Counselling and Diversity
555 Trauma and Recovery
609 Adult Education and Lifelong Learning
624 Sex Roles in Education: The Value Implications

Typical Program: FULL - TIME STUDENT

Fall Term
(Sept-Dec)

544 Theories of Counselling Psychology
545 Practicum in Counselling
546 Research Design in Counselling
Winter Term
(Jan-April)

542 Assessment in Counselling Psychology
543 Group Counselling
552 Counselling for Career Development and Life Transitions
Summer Term
(May-Aug)

553 Counselling and Diversity Electives
590 Thesis
Fall/Winter Term
(Sept-April)

549 Internship in Counselling
550 Ethics and Human Development Electives
590 Thesis

Thesis:

The program strongly encourages research in counselling psychology. Although a thesis is not required for graduation, students with an interest in research or anticipating graduate work at the doctoral level may wish to complete a thesis. Completion of a thesis may facilitate entry into some doctoral programs. Students choosing the Thesis Option will receive credit for two half-courses.

C) Internship (549)

Education 549 involves an internship placement in counselling activities on at least a half-time basis for an academic year (September through April), supervised by Ph.D. level, registered psychologists. If the student plans to be employed during the internship year with a current employer, the student needs to arrange for both individual and group counselling activities to a minimum of half-time. Specific arrangements for the internship are made during the Winter term of the first year in the program.

Education 549 involves a supervised Internship placement of two terms (one full course) over at least 8 continuous months of the academic year (namely September through April). Most students complete this requirement by working three days week on-site for approximately 21 hours a week for 26 weeks (a minimum of 550 supervised hours on site) as well as one day of independent study off-site related to client issues.

Download the Counselling Program Brochure - pdf format