MPhil in Guidance and Counselling

AIMS OF THE PROGRAMMES

The programme aims to produce highly qualified professionals who are knowledgeable in the principles and practice of Guidance and Counselling. It seeks to equip students with the competencies and practical skills required in school guidance and counselling, family counselling, community counselling, career and vocational counselling, and rehabilitation counselling.

The programme combines general foundational courses with specialised seminars and research that allow students to develop expertise in their specific areas of interest. Graduates of the programme will be equipped to address personal, educational, vocational, career, family, and rehabilitation-related challenges effectively and professionally.

Ultimately, the programme aims to produce competent professional counsellors who can make meaningful contributions to individual wellbeing, social development, and community transformation through effective guidance and counselling services.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMMES

By the end of the programmes:

  • Graduates will synthesise the major psychological and counselling theories, humanistic, cognitive-behavioural, systemic, psychodynamic, and multicultural in order to formulate developmentally appropriate intervention plans across the lifespan.
  • Graduates will skillfully apply empirically supported techniques (e.g., CBT, solution-focused, narrative, trauma-informed approaches) in individual, group, and family contexts, showing measurable improvement in clients’ academic, career, and psychosocial outcomes.
  • Graduates will evaluate and address counselling scenarios through the lenses of diversity, equity, and inclusion, practising in strict adherence to national ethical codes (e.g., GPC, APA, BACP) and demonstrating reflexive self-awareness of values, bias, and power dynamics.
  • Graduates will design, implement, and disseminate practitioner-oriented research, using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods to inform, critique, and advance counselling practice and policy within educational and community settings.
  •  Graduates will develop strategic leadership skills to coordinate comprehensive school or community guidance programmes, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, secure resources, and advocate for systemic changes that promote mental health access and wellbeing for diverse populations.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates seeking admission into the MPhil Guidance and Counselling programme must have at least one of the following qualifications:

  1. a good first degree in Guidance and Counselling with a minimum of a 2nd class lower.
  2. a good first degree in Family Counselling
  3. a good first degree in Clinical Psychology or General Psychology
  4. a graduate in other counselling-related fields deemed appropriate by the Department. Such fields may include Pastoral Care and Counselling, as well as Health Counselling and related areas within social welfare settings.
  5. a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any field of study.
  6. a candidate shall submit a proposal of 2-3 pages of A4 size paper on the intended area of guidance and counselling.
  7. a candidate would sit for either an entrance examination and/or undergo an interview as part of the selection process.
  8. MA/MED (Guidance and Counselling/Counselling Psychology) graduate who wishes to progress to the MPhil (Guidance and Counselling) would be required to add 6 credit hours of taught courses (Research methods and Statistics) and also write a thesis of not less than 120 pages (equivalent to 30 credit hours).

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS OF GRADUATES:

The MPhil degree in Guidance and Counselling opens a broad area of opportunities for future employment. As the candidates acquire professional knowledge, skills and proficiency through the programme, they can do the following:

  1. the graduates may establish their own guidance and counselling centres where they will practise professional counselling.
  2. they may be employed as school guidance counsellors 
  3. graduates can teach guidance and counselling in schools of higher learningthey can work in organisations like the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) and churches
  4. can work with Rehabilitation Centres
  5. the degree provides opportunities for entry into employment in many Government Ministries, many Non-governmental organisations, the Military and the Police.
  6. the degree is also an excellent preparation for work in Educational Institutions, particularly at Managerial Levels.
  7. the degree instils skills in critical analysis and critical thinking, which are sought after by private companies in particular.
  8. the degree paves the way for the more able students to continue their studies by working towards PhD levels.
  9. the degree provides opportunities for students to gain employment as lecturers in the public or private Universities.

      DURATION

      Two (2) years

      VENUE

      Christ Temple Campus, near Abossey-Okai

      For further enquiries, contact:

      Admissions Office: 0307020540

      Programme Coordinator:  0201572205

      Enoch Jackson Okine