Foundation Degree in Counselling

CPCAB, in partnership with the Open University, has developed a Foundation Degree in Counselling. The degree combines CPCAB’s expertise and specialist knowledge of the field with the Open University’s expertise and experience in delivering flexible learning.

The Foundation Degree requires candidates to complete 240 credits in total. This is made up of 150 credits derived from CPCAB work-based qualifications delivered in Further Education Colleges or in private training centres:

• CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling plus
• CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling or
• CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory

and 90 credits from Open University knowledge-based modules.

The entry requirements for the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma are:

• CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2) or its equivalent plus
• CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3) or its equivalent.

The Open University has launched a new Introduction to Counselling Course (D171) which is equivalent to CPCAB’s Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3). This will be considered as entry for the Level 4 Diploma along with CPCAB’s Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or equivalent.

The 90 credits from the OU knowledge-based modules are gained from:

• The mandatory module D240 Counselling: exploring fear and sadness (30 credits) and
• The additional 60 credits which must be taken from a combination of the following OU psychology or mental health options:

DSE 212 Exploring psychology (60 credits)
ED 209 Child development (60 credits)
K225 Diverse perspectives on mental health (30 credits)
K272 Challenging ideas in mental health (30 credits)
K260 Death and dying (30 credits)
SDK228 The science of the mind: investigating mental health (30 credits)

The workbased and the knowledge based components can be taken in any order to suit the convenience of the candidate. In other words candidates may do all or some OU modules before the CPCAB qualifications or the other way around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read CPCAB's answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Foundation Degree in Counselling.

Further Information

For further information about the Foundation Degree in Counselling please visit www3.open.ac.uk/courses/bin/p12.dll?Q01G14

To keep up-to-date with new information about the Foundation Degree in Counselling please send an email to clare@cpcab.co.uk.