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Independent Project

Module Synopsis

This Module is a collaborative project involving students, the College and organisations of various kinds in public, private and non-government sectors. Independent Projects enable students to develop advanced professional knowledge and competencies and to integrate theory and practice within their chosen profession in a way that is relevant and appropriate to their ongoing personal and professional goals. Students will be encouraged to reflect critically on their practice in order to identify and systematically explore and analyse specific interests, issues or problems they face in either organisational or practice contexts. The Independent Project will be constituted by a systematic process of design, implementation, analysis, evaluation and communication of findings. Critical reflection on the project process and outcomes will additionally contribute to students' learning and personal and professional development.

Learning outcomes
  • Reflect critically on their current practice in order to identify a specific professional, clinical or organisational interest, issue or problem to be addressed in the project
  • Design and carry out independently a project to address the identified issue
  • Justify the proposed project in terms of its relationship to current knowledge and professional best practice
  • Integrate information, resources, observations and critical reflection with other learning (skills and theories) to formulate a project proposal
  • Combine relevant resources, information, analysis and reflection into a project report, which draws valid conclusions about the interest, issue or problem identified in the project proposal
  • Communicate effectively the project outcomes to stakeholders
  • Appreciate and understand the ways in which social, political, economic and organisational contexts can influence professional practice

Content areas
  • Getting started
  • Questions, ethics and research approach
  • Literature review and Project Management
  • Project proposal
  • Ethics, validity and reliability
  • Initial findings of the project
  • Presenting the findings
  • Editing and finalising the project report and critical reflection on the project's impact on students' practice and professional development

Textbook and Readings
There is no set text for this module. Your readings are an integral part of your study.

Module Duration and Workload:
This module involves a total of 36 hours of face to face delivery or self-directed study including educator contact in flexible delivery modes, generating a further 120 hours of self-study per module including research and related study activities, including assessment. This translates as 13 hours per week for the module.

Study method:
On Campus, Distance Education and Online Education
The studies, combined with my previous work experience, have led me into a more satisfying role in an industry I know well. My studies have given me the confidence to manage a role where top notch "soft skills" are essential.
Pip Pearson
Graduate Diploma of Counselling