This programme is unique among existing programmes because it offers four distinct areas of specialisation: Family Counselling, Career Counselling, Addiction Counselling, and Crisis and Trauma Counselling. The guidance component focuses on providing individuals with information, advice, and direction, particularly within educational and career contexts. The counselling component involves a therapeutic process that supports individuals in exploring and resolving personal, emotional, behavioural, and psychological challenges.
The programme is designed to address contemporary issues and emerging needs in the field of guidance and counselling, including behavioural addictions, modern counselling approaches, and specialised interventions for addiction-related challenges. Through its comprehensive curriculum, students acquire the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies required to respond effectively to diverse counselling needs in society.
Programme Aim
The aim of the Guidance and Counselling programme is basically to help people to be more sensitive to the traumatised, addicted, crisis persons and family as a social unit. Guidance and Counselling demonstrates an enlightened process whereby counsellors help people by facilitating growth and positive adjustment through self-understanding. The programme, therefore, helps to give a strong foundation for future specialists who can nurse the traumatised, help to rehabilitate the addicted, counsel those in crisis, intervene in family problems and intentionally seek to reduce or possibly obviate divorces in marriage. The programme aims at training counsellors to delineate sound counselling procedures to guide families and other members of Ghanaian society to deal adequately with the ailing problems of families, the traumatised, addicted and the person in crisis.
Programme Objectives
The objectives of the programme, therefore, include the following.
- To offer an integrative approach to applying counselling practice and knowledge in various professional and community settings (e.g., religious communities, i.e. churches, mosques, etc., hospitals, schools, courts, community-based programmes, alternative dispute resolution programmes, etc.).
- To prepare students to function as competent counsellors in the church and communities through didactic instructions, clinical supervision, and professional socialisation.
- To prepare competent graduates with knowledge in mental health dedicated to improving the human condition through prevention and intervention.
- To equip students with a comprehensive knowledge of counselling theory, practice, supervision, and research; and with the ability to develop, provide, and evaluate counselling practice incorporating current strategies and theories.
- To furnish students with the ability to design and conduct basic or applied research, and be able to converse in and develop counselling and practice.
Career Prospects
Graduates of the BA in Guidance and Counselling programme will acquire the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies required for a wide range of career opportunities, including:
- Establishing and managing private guidance and counselling centres to provide professional counselling services.
- Serving as school guidance counsellors in basic, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions.
- Working with organisations such as the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), faith-based organisations, and other community support agencies.
- Providing counselling and psychosocial support services in rehabilitation and correctional centres.
- Pursuing careers in government ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
- Serving in counselling, welfare, and human development roles within the military, police service, and other security agencies.
- Taking up administrative, student support, and managerial positions in educational institutions and related organisations.
- Applying their analytical, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills in private-sector organisations, particularly in areas such as human resource management, employee welfare, and organisational development.
- Advancing to postgraduate studies and professional specialisations in Guidance and Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health, Educational Leadership, and related fields.
Admission requirements
The minimum admission requirements of Central University (CU) apply. To enter the programme, applicants must meet the following admission requirements:
- West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
- An applicant must have credit passes (A1- C6) in core English, core Mathematics, and either core Integrated Science or Social Studies and three elective subjects, with an overall aggregate score of thirty-six (36) or better. In addition, candidates must satisfy the specific requirements of the relevant faculty/school. The entry is at Level 100:
- Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE).
- An applicant must have credit passes (A-D) in core English, core Mathematics and either core Science or Social Studies and three elective subjects, with an overall aggregate score of Twenty-four (24) or better. In addition, candidates must satisfy the specific requirements of the relevant faculty/school. Entry is at Level 100.
- General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary and Advanced Levels.
- An applicant must have at least credit passes in 5 subjects (including English Language and Mathematics at the GCE Ordinary Level and three (3) passes at the GCE Advanced Level. At least one of the passes must be a grade D or better. A pass in General Paper must also be obtained. Entry is at Level 100.
- Professional qualifications/Tertiary Diplomas (Entry at levels 200 and 300).
- The level of placement of professional certificate and tertiary-level diploma holders will depend on the assessment of their certificates or diplomas concerning the desired programme. The general guidelines are as follows:
- All professional certificate and tertiary level diploma holders must have either G.C.E. “O” Level credit passes in English Language and Mathematics or SSSCE/WASSCE credit passes in English Language and Core Mathematics to qualify for admission.
- Professional Certificate Holders:
- The placement level of candidates will depend on an assessment of their certificates by the relevant faculty/school or department.
- The level of placement of professional certificate and tertiary-level diploma holders will depend on the assessment of their certificates or diplomas concerning the desired programme. The general guidelines are as follows:
- Admission through the Mature Students’ Entrance Examination
- The candidate must be at least 25 years old by 31st December of the year preceding the examination. A certified copy of the birth certificate is required. The date of issue of the birth certificate should not be less than five years from the date of the completion of the admission forms.
- The candidate must have G.C.E. “O” Level or SSSCE/WASSCE credit passes in English Language and Core Mathematics. Candidates who do not have the required “O” Level/SSSCE/ WASSCE passes will be required to take Special Entrance Examination papers in the two subjects.
- The candidate must write the Mature Students’ Entrance Examination, which consists of a General Paper for all candidates and two papers in the area(s) of specialisation desired.
- Foreign Applicants
- Foreign applicants must have qualifications equivalent to the above to be considered for admission. Their results must also be translated into English and they should be able to read and write in English.
- Additionally, all foreign certificates will be submitted to the National Accreditation Board for validation. Applicants may also be required to pass an entrance examination/interview.
Contact:
Admissions Office: 0307020540, 030 331 5880-5
Programme Coordinator: 0201572205; aadjei@central.edu.gh