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TheAlbanyCentre

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Frequently Asked Questions

Professional Diploma in Counselling

Can I study your course if I don’t have any formal qualifications?

Yes, no formal qualifications are needed just the ability to read and write fluent English.

Can I use prior learning to gain exception from the first-year course?

Yes. If you have done at least 150 taught hours at another institution you can be exempt from the first year
i.e. enter straight into 2nd year. Please discuss this on application.

How long does it usually take to complete the course?

The taught component is 3 years however the time it takes for students to complete the 130 clinical hours
can vary from person to person and typically takes up to an additional year.

Is the Diploma accredited with the BACP?

No.

  • BACP accreditation of courses is quite a moot point within the counselling profession and there are a number of issues: Most courses are not accredited. For example, West Herts College or even the Foundation Degree that I have written for Harrow College/Middlesex University are not accredited. The only course that I'm aware of within a reasonable distance of The Albany Centre is Metanoia in Ealing (humanistic). You can get a full list of accredited courses through the BACP website www.BACP.co.uk.
  • Accreditation can only be applied for retrospectively, thus an institute has to train and graduate a complete cohort (in our case, run the whole 3 year programme) before applying for accreditation. This we are planning to work towards and all the original students will then also be retrospectively recognised.
  • The individual will need to become personally accredited through BACP regardless of whether the course is accredited and the process is very similar either way. All that really matters is whether the course meets certain requirements for training provision and this course at The Albany Centre will exceed all those requirements as I wish to set a higher standard for my students than BACP sets; as stated above I will work towards accreditation anyway. Several previous students at Harrow College who have met the professional requirements of BACP have gained their accreditation and the course I have set up for The Albany Centre exceeds the standards that we have had at Harrow College.

Will I be able to practice as a counsellor after completing the Diploma?

Yes, you can. Some but not all employers will require that you are BACP accredited, please see previous answer

What are the entry requirements?

No formal qualifications however a basic introduction to counselling skills or equivalent work/life skills experience will be assessed at application.

Are there any examinations?

No. Assessment is continuous in terms of skills & fitness to practice and there is a formal piece of written work at the end of each year in addition to journals and project work throughout.


 

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The Albany Centre, St Albans

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