Established in the Western Cape for over 14 years, SACAP is opening its new Johannesburg campus to answer the demand for on-campus counselling and communications skills programmes in Gauteng.
In addition to the BPsych degree, the college offers a Diploma in Counselling and Communication with specialisation streams in counselling, coaching or facilitation. A higher certificate in counselling and communication skills designed as an entry-level qualification to develop foundational knowledge and skills will also be launched next year.
"Our programmes are all geared to qualifications and professional practice, with a distinct skills focus," says Janice Frank of SACAP. "We are committed to developing skilled practitioners that are equipped to make a real impact in a variety of societal and professional settings. The study of applied psychology focuses on developing essential counselling, coaching and facilitation skills, supplementing theoretical learning with practical training and fieldwork to ensure that graduates are well equipped to be effective practitioners in their chosen field," says Frank.
The students are also given the opportunity to deepen the focus of their training through their choice of elective modules such as addiction counselling, working with children, conflict management, human sexuality and HIV counselling, process work, counselling in loss and crisis and trauma counselling.
The SACAP Practicum and Fieldwork internships are an integral part of its qualifications, providing students with the opportunity to gain practical experience and apply their knowledge and skills acquired in an appropriate setting. The students also provide a valuable voluntary therapeutic service in a variety of settings.
The college has established relationships with over 100 organisations in the field, providing a variety of options for students' internships. These include alcohol and drug addiction treatment centres as well as those treating eating disorders, schools - primary, secondary and special needs, correctional services, shelters for women, child and family centres, services for the destitute and corporate institutions.
BPsych students are required to do a 960-hour practical placement (or practicum) in an organisation, which includes observational learning, counselling, case management and supervision. The practicum is designed to adhere to the requirements of the HPCSA for eligibility to register for professional practice. Diploma students are required to do 240-hours of Fieldwork.
