1. developing students' knowledge in understanding, analysing and researching the changing needs of people and the social cultural contexts within which these individuals develop; and
2. equipping students with selected counselling theories and practice skills, with narrative therapy in particular.

Upon completion of the programme, students are expected to be able to:

1. become self-directed learners, recognising personal needs, selecting preferred alternatives for themselves;
2. become reflexive professionals in counselling, who are able to assess changing social needs, challenge the dominant discourse that is oppressing and disempowering people, particularly the powerless people;
3. have a solid conceptual framework in understanding human diversity and needs;
4. analyse the social dynamics and policies which affect the counselling needs of people;
5. acquire knowledge of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of selected counselling perspectives, and that of narrative therapy in particular;
6. apply the selected counselling theories and practice skills in counselling with people in need and in different work settings;
7. be "research literate" - and be able to criticise, use and promote research relevant to advancing students' counselling capacity and professional sensitivity.