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Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling

Academy for continuing education, Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling (SDCC)

About the Course

The Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling (SDCC) aims to prepare participants with the relevant skills and knowledge to provide career counselling. This programme will equip participants with the essential counselling and coaching competencies that will enable them to perform the role of a dedicated Career Counselling Practitioner or to incorporate relevant concepts and principles into their current roles. 

Upon completion of the programme, participants will acquire competencies to:

  • Recommend, interpret, and use appropriate psychometric tests to help clients evaluate their career needs
  • Provide comprehensive guidance throughout all stages of their career, from self-awareness to career pathways and job placement
  • Advise clients on possible career plans, including techniques in job search, personal development, self-improvement as well as identifying barriers, and constraints
  • Counsel and coach clients to achieve their career goals holistically

Target Audience

  • Working adults who perform the role as dedicated career counselling practitioners.
  • Human Resource professionals, trainers, career placement consultants, teacher and counsellors
  • Public servants who may be called upon to provide career counselling in the course of their work

What is so unique about this course?

The Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling (SDCC) is the first academic programme in career development approved by the Ministry of Education, leading to a formal and post-polytechnic diploma qualification with 255 credit hours issued by an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL). 

The curriculum of SDCC has been designed to align with the professional standards and competencies of prominent international career organisations, including the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) and the National Career Development Association (NCDA) in the United States.

The SDCC is endorsed by CICA as it meets the Professional Standards of Australian Career Development Practitioners. This endorsement is significant, as a CICA-endorsed Graduate Certificate in career development is the required entry-level qualification for professional career development practitioners in Australia.

Additionally, the SDCC is also approved as an Alternate Pathway for individuals seeking recognition as a Certified Career Service Provider (CCSP) by the NCDA. This recognition affirms that the SDCC is able to provide essential skills required to provide career services in any setting. 

 

How often do I need to attend the course?

Lessons will be held three times a week online with some in-person sessions at RP ACE @ Woodlands.

Day of Lessons Duration
Weekday 6.30pm - 9.30pm


The SDCC programme made me see the difference in career coaching and counselling. Their hands-on practical sessions with real clients and de-brief of these sessions were very insightful. It gave me the knowledge and practice in order to relate to my job well on a daily basis. The lecturers make the lessons seem so lighted-hearted and interesting that you do not feel the pressure and this helps you complete the programme at ease.
Parames
Senior Career Coach


I learned so much and it has really helped me to formulate my ideas on how I can build a career in this field, with the necessary tools to approach different scenarios and help different individuals. I particularly enjoyed the Positive Psychology module and was inspired to take an online masterclass in applying the principles to coaching which has built on my existing knowledge from the course. It was also great meeting such a diverse and supportive group of people to work with and share stories and challenges with.
Camilla Tam
Career Coach

Participants will be awarded the Post-Diploma Certificate (PDC) upon successful completion of each certificate programme. The Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling will be issued upon meeting 50% of attendance requirement and attaining Grade D or better for all the modules.

Certification (120 to 135 hours) Modules (30 to 45 hours)
Counselling and Coaching
  1. Positive Psychology
  2. Counselling and Coaching Skills
  3. Psychometric Assessment
Career Development
  1. Job and Labour Market Analysis
  2. Career Development and Counselling
  3. Career Counselling Project

This includes self-learning hours in the form of e-learning, assessments, case study analysis and revision required by the module.

Module Synopses


1. Post-Diploma Certificate in Counselling and Coaching 

Positive Psychology

This module introduces participants to the topics related to positive life experiences, positive emotions, positive character, and positive institutions. The first part of the module will focus on the theories in positive psychology and the methods used to study happiness, while the second half will be practical applications of the science of positive psychology to life situations.

Counselling and Coaching Skills

This module provides the foundation of counselling theories and practical counselling skills to be applied in a variety of situations and relationships in the counselling process; from the initial contact to rapport building, intervention, and termination. It also provides the foundation on coaching processes; participants will learn to plan, facilitate, and manage group dynamics in group coaching and assisting the groups in defining their direction and developing solutions.

Psychometric Assessment

This module introduces participants to the basic principles of psychometrics in 3 different settings, career, education, and development.
 
2. Post-Diploma Certificate in Career Development 

Job and Labour Market Analysis

This module equips participants with knowledge on the demand aspect of job seeking, occupational trends, learning and development resources, labour market information and resources, as well as recent and emerging trends in employment.

Career Development and Counselling

This module provides participants with career development theories and practices to assist clients in making choices about themselves and their careers; incorporating their family needs and their styles of interaction in the most meaningful way.

Career Counselling Project

The module provides participants with the practical experience of career counselling. Participants will be expected to provide the complete range of career counselling services for an actual client and present holistic solutions for the client’s needs, motivation, life-stage demands, skills and competencies, values, and goals.
Commencement Date Duration Mode and Venue Schedule Application Start and End Date
Oct intake 1 year
 Face-to-face at RP ACE @ Woodlands / Online.
 View Schedule Here Oct Intake: 17 July 2023 to 31 August 2023

Application outcome will be released at least 3 weeks prior to course commencement

Applicants should possess at least a local diploma qualification or equivalent from recognised institution.   

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements may be considered for admission to the course based on evidence of at least 5 years of relevant working experience or supporting evidence of competency readiness. Suitable applicants who are shortlisted will have to go through an interview and/or entrance test. The Polytechnic reserves the right to shortlist and admit applicants.

 
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Last updated on 17 Jul 2023

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