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FAQs about accredited courses
What is an accredited course?
Accredited courses have been assessed by BACP against the criteria for course accreditation as detailed in the BACP publication Accreditation of Training Courses (BACP 2002) and awarded accreditation, which means that they can offer quality training to a high standard, which is recognised by employers, colleagues and prospective clients.
An accredited course provider must be an Organisational Member of BACP, which means that the organisation is bound by BACP's Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and subject to the Professional Conduct Procedure within.
How can I tell if a course is currently accredited?
All courses in the main section are currently accredited. The date on which a course was first accredited is shown in brackets.
How can find out more details about the course or courses that I'm considering?
All the currently accredited courses listed in the main section can be contacted using the details below or you could visit the website by clicking the link. Please contact the courses direct, as BACP is unlikely to have the type of information you will need.
What is the benefit of choosing a BACP accredited course?
BACP accredited course graduates are eligible to apply for MBACP membership. They can be sure that their practitioner training will meet the training requirement for counsellor/psychotherapist accreditation.
Are there any BACP accredited distance learning courses?
BACP does not accredit distance learning or home study courses (includes email, online or paper-based formats). Please be aware that such courses are not accepted towards the training requirement for MBACP membership or Counsellor/Psychotherapist Accreditation.
There are a number of distance learning courses in counselling that combine written, video/dvd and audio material. While these can offer a useful introduction to the use of counselling skills and a little theory, in most cases it is unlikely that they would greatly contribute to the training element required for BACP accreditation, as they offer little or no counselling practice under supervision and have little opportunity for observation and practice of counselling skills with feedback from both staff and fellow students, all of which are considered to be important aspects of training. However, the better courses will offer a group tutorial component
Face-to-face taught courses that are not BACP accredited may be considered for the training requirement for MBACP membership and BACP Counsellor/Psychotherapist Accreditation, see ‘Join BACP' or ‘Accreditation' sections. You will find accreditation application criteria for non-accredited course graduates published under Criterion 4.2 and 4.3 of the accreditation application criteria and form.
I have found a course which says it's recognised by BACP but is it accredited?
The only form of recognition or standard that BACP has for training courses is accreditation. Only courses that have been assessed by BACP for accreditation and awarded this status can claim to be accredited and only accredited courses can guarantee that their training meets the requirements for MBACP or BACP accreditation. If a course claims simply to be 'accredited' or 'professionally accredited' or similar wording but doesn't state that it is accredited by BACP in particular, please check the BACP Accredited Course Search. If it doesn't appear on the listing, it isn't accredited by us. If you are in any doubt, you are welcome to check with BACP on 01455 883338 or bacp@bacp.co.uk.
What about courses 'designed to BACP standards' or 'designed to BACP course accreditation criteria'?
The course may have been designed to standards or criteria set by BACP. However, unless the course is accredited by BACP, it has not been assessed by BACP professional assessors against these standards and/or criteria, so it cannot be guaranteed to meet them.
The course I would like to choose says it will apply / is applying for accreditation - does this mean I will graduate from an accredited course?
Only courses that have completed the accreditation process and have received confirmation of their accredited status may include the words "BACP Accredited Course" in their publicity material. Other courses should not include in any publicity material their intention to apply or even that they have applied for accreditation; applications may, in some cases be withdrawn, be unsuccessful, or encounter delays during the process.
The course I want to take is not listed, although the college that runs it appears on your list.
Accreditation isn't awarded to the training providers, it is awarded to a specific course. So, it doesn't follow that all courses at one college or provided by one organisation are accredited. If a course title does not match any listed for that college, university or trainer then the course is probably not accredited.
How can I tell if my course was accredited when I graduated?
The date on which a course was first accredited is shown in brackets. Anyone completing the course successfully on or after this date may claim to have completed a BACP accredited course.
If you cannot find your course on the main list, please check the not currently available / previously accredited list, as it might have ended or changed to another title since you qualified. If you course's accreditation has ended, you must have graduated between the two dates shown: the first is the start date for the accreditation and the second is when the accreditation ended.
I want to go to a different training centre or campus than the one listed for the accredited course. The training provider runs its courses all over the UK - are they all accredited?
Course accreditation is very specific - courses may have the same title but unless the venue or centre is listed too, the course will not be accredited.
My course appears on your list but my certificate does not say that it was a BACP accredited course.
If you want to use your certificate to apply for membership or accreditation, the award or certificate should state that the course is BACP accredited. If it doesn't, you should obtain an official letter from the training provider, to confirm that you have completed a BACP accredited training course. If you have not completed the whole of the course but have graduated, please contact us for guidance.