Course description
The provision of career guidance has become increasingly complex in the light of rapid changes in the labour market, education and training. Career practitioners are expected to provide accurate and up-to-date advice on employment, education and training opportunities to an ever-widening client group, from young people making their first career decisions, or students in tertiary education, to adults including women returners and those facing redundancy or career change. Career practitioners are also increasingly being expected to offer extra support to clients who are experiencing additional difficulties in entering or retaining employment, education and training. This course combines periods of University-based study with a range of work-based activities.
Placements are arranged in colleges, local economic development companies, Job Centre Plus offices, and with social inclusion projects and training providers. In addition to these arrangements, students on the full-time programme undertake 6 weeks of placement (in October, November and March) in a guidance organisation, usually a Careers Scotland centre. The Masters degree is designed to articulate with the Postgraduate Diploma to allow guidance workers to undertake research and evaluation of their work as part of their ongoing professional development.
In 2007 the career guidance programmes at the University were updated as part of a project supported by Careers Scotland. As a result there is a stronger focus on practice-based learning, personal reflection and critical analysis of practice. This has also enabled the University to develop all of the modules in the programme in e-learning mode, enabling candidates from throughout the UK to access the programme through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, known as Blackboard.
Course Contents
Certificate and Diploma
The Certificate consists of 3 modules and the Diploma 6. At these levels students will study a range of core topics including professional practice, reflective practice and the policy context for the development and delivery of career education and guidance and the theories which underpin thinking on career choice, career development and career decision-making. Other modules cover such areas as labour market intelligence, career-related learning and careers information. Modules include:
* Professional Practice 1
* Professional Practice 2
* Career-related Policy
* Career Development Theory
* Reflective Guidance Practice
* Labour Market Studies
MSc
Students wishing to continue their professional development have the opportunity to undertake up to 2 years of further part-time study towards the MSc. There are 2 routes, one focusing on research, which involves the completion of a Dissertation, the other based on taught modules in Advanced Professional Practice and Communities, Networks and Partnerships. Entry to the MSc is restricted to holders of the Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Institute of Career Guidance.
Part-time and e-learning
Those who are employed in a career or educational guidance setting may wish to study for the Certificate, Diploma or MSc on a part-time or e-learning basis. The employing organisation will be required to provide a mentor and an assessor (normally another employee with guidance experience) and allow time to attend placements, including a 2-week placement in the second year of the programme.
Career Prospects
Students undertaking the Diploma are qualified to work as career practitioners in any guidance setting in the UK, including Careers Scotland and Connexions services in England. Around a third to a half of students who complete the programme find work in other guidance sectors in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Professional Recognition
The Postgraduate Diploma is professionally accredited by the Institute of Career Guidance. This professional qualification is based around completion of a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate how students have developed their knowledge and skills. It has a work-based focus, where much of the learning is achieved through a series of individual learning and assessment opportunities provided through placements.
