A quality education for working adults
The Singapore campus of James Cook University offers a conducive post-graduate learning experience
By Gilbert Wong
June 10, 2020
When English teacher Ms Pyo Misun, 40, decided to take her passion for teaching to another level, she knew she had to equip herself with the skills to support her students better. She explains: “I wanted to be a mentor and really connect with my students, and not just be a teacher.”
So she enrolled in the Master of Guidance and Counselling (MGC) course at the Singapore campus of James Cook University (JCU) in August last year. Accredited in Australia by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and in Singapore by the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC), the course provides advanced academic and practical training in the professional discipline of counselling. It is designed to meet the developmental needs of individuals who wish to be professional counsellors, and individuals who want to develop important human and interpersonal skills in other professions — making it a perfect fit for Ms Pyo to advance her learning and pedagogy.
She shares her learning experience, and why JCU is her school of choice.
Why did you choose the MGC course at JCU?
“The MGC course integrates well with education-related fields, so JCU is perfect for applicants who, like me, have an educational background and are interested in a career in education. The course’s dual recognition also enables graduates to practice in both countries as well as internationally.
“Also, this programme can be pursued part-time, which is beneficial for working adults who need to juggle work and study.”
How has the study experience been at JCU before and after the Covid-19 pandemic?
“Face-to-face classes were held for each module and we worked in small groups or pairs for in-class discussions and lectures. This combination promoted effective active learning.
“After the Covid-19 outbreak, we transitioned to home-based online learning for two modules. I was initially sceptical about the effectiveness of online classes, but my doubts were erased over time. Thanks to the constant group interactions and projects, I was able to collaborate with teammates and engage in online group discussion forums throughout the duration of each module. The course provided the perfect platform to help us continue to enrich our learning despite the new arrangements.”
Why should others consider enrolling into JCU?
“JCU is the first private institution to receive the EduTrust Star award in 2015 — given to institutions for providing an outstanding quality of education and welfare for their students. Assessed based on seven criteria, including student services, academic processes and quality assurance, you can expect an excellent and holistic educational experience.
“The school provides a diverse range of courses and clubs to promote enriching student life experiences, and seminars to foster career-related skills after graduation. Thanks to its inter-campus mobility programme, students also have the opportunity to spend up to two semesters in Australia while paying local fees.”
Visit jcu.edu.sg to find out more.
