GENERAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 2012
Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy (HCFT)
Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy (HCNT)
Master in Clinical Family Therapy (HMCLFT)
INFORMATION SESSION / ORIENTATION DAY
There is an information evening for all Postgraduate Courses.
Date: Tuesday 11th October 2011
Time: 6pm
Venue: The Bouverie Centre,
RSVP: 27th September (or ASAP after this date) at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bouveriecourses2012
The Master of Clinical Family Therapy has a compulsory orientation evening before classes commence. The date of this evening is yet to be confirmed.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
What are the course pre-requisites / eligibility requirements?
Please see the course specific ‘Course Pre-requisites, Structure & Subject Outline 2011’ flyer for more information
How difficult is it to get into the courses?
More students apply than are generally accepted into the courses. Applicants who have made an attempt to familiarise themselves with the theory and practice of family therapy either by attending continuing education courses, seminars or supervision with a therapist will be considered favourably. There are different requirements for involvement in each course. Please refer to the ‘Course Pre-requisites, Structure & Subject Outline 2011’ flyer for each course. Acceptance into the courses is dependent on meeting course eligibility/entry requirements, performance at interview and availability of places.
Is recognition of prior learning/credit applicable if I have completed training at another organisation?
Graduate Certificates - There are no exemptions/credits/advanced standing offered in this course.
Master of Clinical Family Therapy - If you have done a Postgraduate Diploma in Family Therapy at the Bouverie Centre, La Trobe University, you may be eligible for exemption from part of the course. You will need to discuss the specific details of your situation with the course co-ordinator. Completion of the Master of Clinical Family Therapy is conditional on your Postgraduate Diploma in Family Therapy being subsumed. This means in order to qualify you will need to hand in your testamur award prior to completing the course.
If you have done a different training course in family therapy at another organisation, you may be still be eligible for exemption from part of the Masters course. You will need to provide certified copies of qualifications gained with your application and discuss with the course co-ordinator the specific details of your situation at the interview.
Master of Clinical Family Therapy and Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy
We recommend you read ‘The History and Principles of Family Therapy’ by Dr. Geoffrey Goding.
This is a monograph published by the Victorian Association of Family Therapy (VAFT).
It costs $22 ($20 + $2 GST) and is available from reception at The Bouverie Centre or through VAFT. VAFT have the website www.vaft.asn.au.
Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy
What is Narrative Therapy? An Easy-to-Read Introduction - by Alice Morgan
Dulwich Centre Publications 2000
First chapter available free on the Dulwich Centre website in the articles to read section http://www.dulwichcentre.com.au/Articlestoread.htm
Narrative Therapy: Responding to your questions - by Shona Russell & Maggie Carey (compiled by) Dulwich Centre Publications 2004
One chapter, 'Externalising Commonly Asked Questions' available free on Dulwich Centre website
http://www.dulwichcentre.com.au/Articlestoread.htm
Maps of Narrative Practice - by Michael White
2007 W.W. Norton.
Students are encouraged to read the free articles on the main narrative websites http://www.dulwichcentre.com.au/Articlestoread.htm and http://www.narrativeapproaches.com,
especially Michael White's workshop notes.
COURSE STRUCTURE & FURTHER INFORMATION
Do you accept mid year admissions?
No.
Are these courses available full time?
No, only part time.
Are these courses available to international students?
No.
Are these courses available via online or distance education?
No.
Are these courses available in regional Victoria?
Currently, no. However, if there was sufficient interest expressed within a country region of
How many students do you take?
Our usual intake is 24 students per year in each course, although fewer numbers may be taken if applicants do not satisfy entry requirements. A larger intake will be considered if there is sufficient demand from suitably qualified applicants.
I am not sure which subjects I should apply for, what should I do?
The course structure is set for all students. There are no elective subjects in the course.
What is the assessment?
Assessment is based on a combination of written assignments and oral presentations, and in the Clinical Masters on performance of a set of core competencies. Please see the course specific ‘Course Pre-requisites, Structure & Subject Outline 2011’ flyer for more information. Further details on the assessment will be provided in the course handbook after enrolment.
ELIGIBILITY
-- Please also refer to course specific flyer ‘Course Pre-requisites, Structure & Subject Outline 2011’ --
Who is eligible to apply for this course?
Australian and
Will the completion of the Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy give me eligibility for entry into the Master of Clinical Family Therapy?
In addition you would need to have completed at least a three year undergraduate degree with a 70% or B average as well as two years experience working with families as a case manager or as a family counsellor. You would also need to meet other course eligibility/entry requirements as mentioned in the Masters course specific ‘Course Pre-requisites, Structure & Subject Outline 2011’ flyer.
What if I do not have direct involvement with families in my workplace?
The Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy requires you to have exposure to families. The Master of Clinical Family Therapy requires you to be actively engaged in clinical work with five (5) families at any one time during the course. If you do not have this opportunity for this in your workplace, you may consider seeking a volunteer position in another agency to give you the relevant experience. This question is not applicable for the Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy.
SEMESTER DATES & TIMES
What are the day and time commitments?
All courses are taught in two 13 week semesters over the year. Students are allowed to miss a maximum of 2 classes per semester.
HCFT Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy
HCNT Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy
HMCLFT Master in Clinical Family Therapy
|
Course |
Duration |
Day |
Time (including breaks) |
Comments |
|
HCFT |
1 year |
Mondays |
12:15 pm to 6:30 pm |
|
|
HCNT |
1 year |
Fridays |
10:00 am to 5:00 pm |
|
|
HMCLFT (1st year) |
1st of 2 years |
Wednesday |
12:00 pm to 6:30 pm or 8.00 am – 2.30 pm * |
*In both year levels morning supervision groups will be arranged if there is sufficient student demand. |
|
HMCLFT (2nd year) |
2nd of 2 years |
Thursdays |
12:00 pm to 6:30 pm or 7.45 am – 2.15 pm * |
Semester Timetable
|
FIRST SEMESTER |
27th February – 1st June |
|
MID SEMESTER VACATION |
6th April – 13th April |
|
SECOND SEMESTER |
23rd July – 26th October |
|
MID SEMESTER VACATION |
24th – 28th September |
The University remains open on Labour Day and
Start and finish dates for semester two are usually altered to allow students and staff to attend the annual Family Therapy Conference. Classes will not be held during these weeks. Dates will be confirmed at the time of interviews. This is not applicable for the Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy.
Master of Clinical Family Therapy - please note that students are expected to be available to see families during the semester breaks and after the end of the academic year if this is considered necessary for the families’ welfare and/or to satisfy course requirements.
VENUE
Where are classes held?
Classes are held on site at the Bouverie Centre, 8 Gardiner Street, Brunswick, Vic 3056 (Melways reference Map 29 F 7, UBD reference Map 223 D13).
Students can park in the streets surrounding The Bouverie Centre. There is limited car parking on site and students are encouraged to take public transport. Brunswick Station is 10 minutes walk from the Centre.
APPLICATION
How do I apply for this course?
Send in your completed application form to:
Student Services Officer
The Bouverie Centre, La
Application forms can be printed from our website www.bouverie.org.au (navigate to courses > Academic > course name). Alternatively, please call us on 03 9385 5100, fax 03 9381 0336 or email bouverie.academic@latrobe.edu.au. Our business hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Closing date for applications is 31st October 2011.
Applicants who meet the criteria for admission to the course will be offered an interview in November or December. You will also be notified if you do not succeed in getting an interview.
What do I need to submit to apply for this course?
· Completed 2012 application form including your signature (Note: All applicant details must be written directly on the application form provided with only extra information in attachments).
· Certified copy of all Academic Transcripts of Results of qualifications gained
· Certified copy of Australian or New Zealand citizenship/permanent residency documentation (birth certificate, passport, etc)
· Certified copy of change in name documentation (if there are any documents submitted with different names)
· A current photo of yourself (please place your name on the back of the photo)
How do I get my documents certified?
Take originals and photocopies to either a GP, Pharmacist or member of the police to certify. They need to sight the original and will then stamp and sign the copy to confirm it is a true copy of the original which is being sighted.
What citizenship/permanent residency documents are acceptable?
- Australian/New Zealand passport
- Australian/New Zealand Birth Certificate
- Australian permanent visa documents or citizenship certificate
What happens after I apply?
Admission Applications are viewed by the course co-ordinator and eligible applicants will be contacted for an interview in November/December. You will also be notified if you do not succeed in getting an interview or if unsuccessful in the interview.
Acceptance Successful applicants will be sent a letter of offer. Upon return of your letter of offer, if you choose to accept, then enrolment paperwork will be sent to you.
Enrolment Completed enrolment paperwork including method of payment is to be returned to the Bouverie Centre for authorisation and processing.
Payment After your enrolment is processed, a Statement of Account (invoice) will be posted to you from La Trobe for payment.
Graduate Certificates – You will need to attend an interview (approx 30 minutes) with the course coordinator to discuss your eligibility and application.
Masters - You will need to allow approximately 45 minutes to one hour for the entire interview process.
The interview takes place in two parts. In the first part you will be required to interview a role-play family to demonstrate your ability to engage a family in relation to their presenting issues. This role-play will take approximately 15 minutes. You will then have a chance to discuss the role-play with your interviewer.
In the second part you will have an opportunity to answer questions about your suitability for this course and ask questions to satisfy yourself that the course is appropriate for your personal and professional needs.
CONTACT
Who should I contact if I have further queries?
Student Services Officer
The Bouverie Centre
Ph. 03 9385 5100
Fax. 03 9381 0336
Email: bouverie.academic@latrobe.edu.au
Web site: www.bouverie.org.au
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Will I be a qualified Narrative Therapist if I complete the Graduate Certificate in Narrative Therapy?
We recommend that further training and/or additional supervision will still be required.
Will I be a qualified Family Therapist if I complete the Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy or Master of Clinical Family Therapy course?
Further family therapy training is required for the Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy and additional supervision will still be required for the Master of Clinical Family Therapy according to VAFT guidelines.
Will the Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy or Master of Clinical Family Therapy course give me eligibility for membership of the Victorian Association of Family Therapy (VAFT)?
The Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy makes a preliminary contribution to VAFT clinical membership. However you will need to complete the Master of Clinical Family Therapy (at the Bouverie Centre) or an equivalent course (plus some additional hours of supervision) to be eligible for full clinical membership of VAFT. Please note that you are now eligible for associate membership of VAFT and we would encourage you to join. The cost is approx. $91.50 and application forms can be obtained from the VAFT Administration Officer on their website at www.vaft.asn.au.
