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Introduction
The newly designed Higher Diploma program in Counselling is offered by the Training Division at the NISD as a weekend academic Diploma program. The Diploma program in Counselling was designed to fit into the standards of University Grants Commission Sri Lanka (SLQF). This Programm is conducted at the Colombo main centre.
Aim
To produce professional counsellors with the required knowledge, skills, attitude and mindset for best practice.
Objectives
- To produce quality professionals in the field of counselling
- To enhance the advanced professional skills of the counselling practitioner
- To develop the interventional capability of the practitioner
Medium
Sinhala/ Tamil/ EnglishDuration
21 months, including three month counselling practice (Weekend programme)Admission Requirements
Admission of candidates to the Diploma program in Counseling is considered on the basis of the minimum requirements for University admission as prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
1. A person who has successfully completed all the examinations leading to the Diploma in Counselling.
or
2. Students who have completed courses equivalent to the Diploma in Counseling at institutions of higher learning recognized by the National Institute of Social Development shall also be considered for admission to the Higher Diploma in Counselling.
or
3. Candidates who have followed Counselling, Psychology as a course unit in their 1st Degree.
Course Structure
The Higher Diploma in counselling program consists of the following components:
- Nine Course Units
- One Field Practicum unit
Total Credits - 32
Direct contact/Lectures - 405
Field Practice – 150 Hours
Course Unit Codes, Course Titles & Number of Credits/Course
| Subject code | Subject | No. of Credits | No. of direct contract hours | No. of Self Learning hours | Total Notional learning hours |
| HDipC 211 | Introduction to General Psychology | 4 | 60 | 140 | 200 |
| HDipC 212 | Counseling: Knowledge and Specialization and their Applications | 4 | 60 | 140 | 200 |
| HDipC 213 | Counseling Theories & Techniques | 4 | 60 | 140 | 200 |
| HDipC 214 | Skills, Interventions and Application I | 4 | 60 | 140 | 200 |
| HdipC 221 | Skills, Interventions and Application II | 6 | 90 | 210 | 300 |
| HDipC 222 | Research in Counseling | 4 | 60 | 140 | 200 |
| HDipC 223 | Introduction to psychosocial Intervention | 2 | 30 | 70 | 100 |
| HDipC 224 | Field Practicum | 4 | 180 | - | 200 |
| Total | 32 | 620 | 1580 |