Counselling and Bildung (Counselling 1)
See study programme‘Counselling and Bildung’ is a master’s degree programme of study rooted in educational welfare, which provides counselling/guidance expertise for work in various professional areas. Teachers and school counsellors in particular are a key target group.
The programme provides in-depth knowledge about how societal conditions affect socialisation and bildung processes and provides a basis for counselling work in today’s late modern society. Emphasis is placed on students developing the ability to independently and critically analyse social situations, and good insight into how they can facilitate the learning and bildung of children/young people/adults through counselling work. The programme of study contributes to personal development and relationship skills through practical training in communication, various methods of guidance and ethical assessments. The students’ own experiences form an important basis for the development of their counselling practices. Students who work in a relevant job can use this as a testing ground. The programme of study’s teaching takes place in digital classrooms (via computer), with the exception of a compulsory start-up session at the university.
The overall content of the ‘Counselling and Bildung’ and ‘Counselling and Innovation’ programmes of study satisfy the guiding national qualification criteria for school counsellors. Students who wish to study both programmes should either take them at the same time or start with ‘Counselling and Bildung’.
Knowledge
Upon completion of the programme of study, the candidate will:
- have advanced knowledge about socialisation conditions in today’s diverse and multicultural knowledge society, and special insight into the characteristics of child and youth culture
- have good insight into key bildung thematics and their relevance to counselling practice
- have detailed knowledge about key counselling traditions, perspectives and methods
- have in-depth knowledge about communication, conflict and professional ethics perspectives in counselling
- have insight into special challenges related to counselling from a democratic and diverse perspective
- have good knowledge about recent research on socialisation and on counselling methodology
Skills
Upon completion of the programme of study, the candidate will:
- be able to reflect critically and independently on the role of counselling in late modern society by using research-based knowledge as a foundation
- be able to account for relationships between changes in childhood environments and working life, and the development of identity and belonging
- be able to reflect independently on social inequality and educational choices based on culture, class and gender
- be able to apply relevant methodological tools in specific counselling situations
- be able to contribute to the development of children’s, young people’s and adults’ ability to master life skills and participation
- be able to independently plan, implement and evaluate individual courses of guidance using professional knowledge
General competence
Upon completion of the programme of study, the candidate will:
- be able to reflect critically and independently on the importance of their own background, personality and personal expertise in the counselling role, and on the development of their own relationship skills when meeting people from different cultures and social contexts
- be able to analyse how different social contexts and categories affect pupils’ and other groups’ self-perception, inclusion and life skills
- be able to thoroughly discuss dilemmas related to the practice of counselling in the field of tension between adaptation and bildung
- be able to exercise independent and professional judgement when discussing ethical dilemmas in counselling
- be able to analyse counselling relationships/conversations based on a professional understanding of power relationships and asymmetry
Categories
- Teacher education*. (30 extra credits).
- Bachelor’s degree in educational subjects or bachelor’s degree with specialisation in educational subjects. General teacher/primary and lower secondary teacher education students on four-year courses of study who have completed and passed three years of their education. (20 extra credits).
- Bachelor’s degree in social education, social work or child welfare. (10 extra credits).
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology or social anthropology, or bachelor’s degree with specialisation in one of these subjects.
Applicants with bachelor’s degrees similar to the categories mentioned may gain admission after special assessment.
Ranking based on weighted average of the admission criteria. Extra points are given as indicated.
*General teacher, primary and lower secondary school teacher, pre-school teacher, kindergarten teacher, subject teacher education, bachelor’s degree including 1-year programmes in educational theory and practice or programmes of study that provide similar qualifications.
The programme of study qualifies candidates for school counselling. The programme of study also qualifies candidates for other counselling/guidance work in the public and private sectors.
Based on recommended national qualification requirements, completed ‘Counselling and Bildung’ 30 credits and ‘Counselling and Innovation’ 30 credits may qualify candidates for school counselling, given that one has at least a bachelor’s degree and knowledge of the school.
No tuition fees for students within EU/EEA/EFTA. Costs for semester registration and course literature apply.
In addition to semester fees and course literature, students are expected to provide their own laptops with good quality webcams and headphones. In relation to the online sessions, students are required to participate from a quiet venue with a good/stable internet connection.
Teachers and school counsellors may apply to the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Trainingfor a substitute/grant scheme in order to study Counselling and Bildung. The application deadline is 1 March. Select ‘Other Programme of Study’ in the search portal. (In addition, you must apply for admission to Nord University).
The programme of study has the following teaching and examination activities:
Compulsory participation
Coursework
Home examination.
See the course description for details.