Counselling Studies (2023)

The subject Counselling Studies is designed to give access to Counselling Studies within an education orientation. It is not a professional counselling qualification, but offers an introduction to practice skills within specific contexts. For example, qualified teachers who see their future in the pastoral network of a school can use these papers to develop their skills in, and their understanding of guidance and pastoral care.


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  • Prescriptions for the PGCert(CounsStudies)

    To complete the PGCert(CounsStudies), students must take 60 points at 500 level from the Counselling Studies subject.

  • Prescriptions for the PGDip(CounsStudies)

    To complete the PGDip(CounsStudies) students must take 120 points at 500 level, including COUNS540, COUNS546 or COUNS549; and a further paper in a Postgraduate Diploma subject.

  • Prescriptions for the MEd

    To complete the MEd in Counselling Studies, students will complete 180 points at 500 level, including at least two of COUNS540, COUNS546 or COUNS549; and one of EDUCA500, EDUCA557 or MAOED500; and one of a Directed Study equivalent to 30 points, a Dissertation equivalent to 60 points, or a Thesis equivalent to 90 or 120 points.

    Students will normally be expected to focus their independent research on a topic related to Counselling Studies.

    Optional papers will be selected from the papers listed in MEd subjects, the MEdLeadership, or 30 points may be selected from outside the field of the degree.

  • 500 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    COUNS540Working with Groups30.023B (Block)
    This paper explores dialogic group processes with selected kinds of groups. Students will be given the opportunity to develop group membership and leadership roles through observation, participation and evaluation during an experiential workshop format and through on-line discussion and assignments. The paper includes a particular...
    COUNS546Conflict Resolution: Restorative Approaches30.023B (Block)
    This paper develops the skills of facilitating conflict resolution using mediation, conferencing and other types of restorative and generative conversations in families, schools and other contexts. A narrative perspective on conflict resolution features strongly in the paper.
    COUNS549Counselling and Contexts30.023A (Block) & 23H (Block)
    This paper provides an overview of counselling practice and its contexts, including optional modules on school counselling, or addictions. It teaches the skills and ethical perspectives of collaborative approaches to counselling, offering a particular introduction to narrative therapy.
    EDUCA500Culturally Responsive Methodologies incorporating kaupapa Māori and Critical Theories30.023X (Block - Tauranga)
    Culturally Responsive Methodologies utilise kaupapa Maori and critical theoretical frameworks to develop contexts within which the researched community can define the terms for engaging, relating and co-creating new knowledge.
    EDUCA557Becoming a researcher: theory, ethics and methods30.023A (Online), 23B (Online) & 23H (Block)
    This paper introduces students to the major educational research paradigms, methodologies appropriate to collecting data in schools (including interviews, observations, surveys, case studies), action research, literature reviews, critiquing research, and report writing. It includes consideration of ethical issues in research.
    EDUCA590Directed Study30.023I (Hamilton) & 23I (Online)
    Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff.
    EDUCA592Dissertation60.023X (Hamilton), 23X (Online) & 23X (Tauranga)
    A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
    EDUCA593Education Thesis90.023I (Tauranga), 23X (Hamilton), 23X (Online) & 23X (Tauranga)
    An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
    EDUCA594Education Thesis120.023X (Hamilton), 23X (Online) & 23X (Tauranga)
    An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
    MAOED500Rangahau Kaupapa Māori - Kaupapa Māori Research30.023X (Hamilton)
    This paper seeks to explore Kaupapa Maori research theory and methodologies, developing more informed and culturally located and responsive research practice, with a particular focus on researching in Maori educational contexts.

2023 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 22 March 2024 8:11pm

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