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2023

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

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

Once a student has successfully completed the coursework of 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, consisting of one year academic training and one year internship, students are expected to successfully 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. The first year of the course involves academic and practical training. The academic training consists of five core modules, namely: Professional practice and ethics (SLK 807), Psychological assessment (SLK 811), Therapeutic intervention (SLK 809), Counselling psychology practical (SLK 812), and Community psychology (SLK 810). The training is delivered by means of didactic instruction and/or experiential learning. The practical training is arranged by the Department of Psychology annually. 

C. Professional development
Besides the researcher and practitioner training, the professional development of the students is addressed on a continuous basis in all modules. 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.

1. BSocSciHons in Psychology or BAHons in Psychology or relevant honours degree
2. A cumulative weighted average of at least 70% for the honours degree

Assessments

1. In order to pass a module, a final mark of at least 50% must be obtained.
2. Progress in modules is assessed through a variety of activities in a process of continuous assessment. Assessment is designed to ensure that all the outcomes of the modules have been evaluated by means of informative assessment.
3. The final results for all modules will only be published after confirmation of the results by the examination commission of the Faculty of Humanities. No results will be released beforehand.

Requirements for progress to year II of the programme

1. In each programme all requirements for year I of the programme must be met before proceeding to year II of the programme.
2. Should all the requirements of year I not be met, year I may not be repeated and the student will have to leave the programme.
3. Should the student wish to continue, he or she will have to reapply for admission in accordance with the rules applicable to the selection process for all new applications.
4. No module may be carried over from year I to year II.

Requirements for progress to internship

1. The rules and regulations as laid down by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and as amended from time to time, will apply.
2. All programme requirements of the degree must be successfully completed and the assessment thereof processed through the necessary committees of the University.
3. The master’s degree must be completed in two years.

Professional misconduct: 
Enquiry with regards to possible professional misconduct within the programme: Should a student be considered in breach of any professional rule, regulation, code of conduct, or legislation as laid down by the Professional Board for Psychology or the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), or the legislation governing the conduct and training of Clinical Pyschologists (as health professionals) the student may be required to present themself before the executive management committee of the Department of Psychology and the Deanery of the Faculty of Humanities for an enquiry in order to ascertain whether or not the matter should be referred to the Professional Board for Psychology, the HPCSA, or the appropriate statutory authority, for a further investigation.

Discontinuation from Participation in the Programme: 
The Dean may, on the recommendation of the Head of the Department of Psychology, conduct an enquiry into the alleged conduct and/or fitness of the student to practice. Possible outcomes of this process could include, but will not be limited to, the discontinuation of the student’s participation in the programme during an academic year. This decision will be considered by the management committee of the Department and various aspects of the student’s progress and conduct within the programme will be assessed. The student will have the opportunity to respond and make representations regarding the allegations brought against them.

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.