The B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and professional dispositions needed to support learners’ academic, personal, social and career development. The programme blends psychological principles, educational theory and counselling techniques to help you understand human behaviour, identify learner needs and provide practical guidance across different stages of development. Through this training, you will learn how to help students overcome learning difficulties, adjust to school environments, explore career pathways and build positive personal and social relationships.
You will gain competence in counselling skills, assessment procedures, human development, behavioural intervention, educational psychology and mental health awareness. As a future counsellor, you will be prepared to work collaboratively with teachers, parents and school administrators to promote student wellbeing and create supportive learning environments.
Course Overview
The B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling programme provides a comprehensive foundation in developmental psychology, counselling theories, career education, behaviour modification and educational intervention. You will study how learners grow cognitively, socially and emotionally, and how these developmental processes influence behaviour and academic performance.
The programme runs for four years through UTME and three years through Direct Entry. During your studies, you will participate in school-based experiences, micro-teaching, counselling practicum and fieldwork, allowing you to apply your skills in real counselling and educational settings. You will also develop strong communication, listening, interpersonal and problem-solving skills essential for effective counselling practice in schools and youth-focused institutions.
Course Curriculum
The curriculum covers Guidance and Counselling education across 100–400 levels.
You begin with foundational courses such as:
- Introduction to Guidance and Counselling
- General Psychology
- Communication in English
- Study Skills
- Nigerian Peoples and Culture
- Foundations of Education
- Human Development
You explore core counselling and psychology concepts through courses such as:
- Theories of Counselling
- Sociology of Education
- Educational Psychology
- Career Education and Development
- Guidance Services in Schools
- Curriculum Studies
Your professional competence grows through courses such as:
- Behaviour Modification
- Practicum in Counselling
- Testing and Measurement in Education
- Group Counselling Techniques
- Mental Health and Adjustment
- Research Methods in Education
You integrate specialised knowledge and real-world practice through:
- Advanced Counselling Techniques
- Assessment in Counselling
- Teaching Practice
- Seminar in Guidance and Counselling
- Research Project
Entry Requirements
To gain admission into the B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling programme, you must satisfy one of the following entry pathways:
1. UTME Admission (Four-Year Programme)
- You must have at least five credit passes in English Language, Mathematics, and any other relevant Arts or Social Science subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Sit for the UTME with English Language and other relevant subjects.
- Meet the departmental and university cut-off marks.
- Demonstrate interest and aptitude for helping relationships, human development and educational support services.
- Satisfy all other general admission requirements of the University.
2. Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Programme)
- You must have five credit passes, including English Language, Mathematics and other relevant subjects, obtained in not more than two sittings.
- Possess NCE, ND or equivalent qualifications in Education, Psychology, Social Sciences or related areas with at least a merit or credit grade.
- Hold Advanced Level passes in relevant subjects.
- Provide academic transcripts and supporting documents during the application.
- Meet the University’s general Direct Entry admission regulations.
Why study at OOU?
Choosing to study Guidance and Counselling at Olabisi Onabanjo University gives you the theoretical grounding and professional competence required to support learners’ academic, social, emotional and career development. The programme emphasises empathy, ethical practice, problem-solving and strong communication skills, qualities essential for effective counselling practice. You will benefit from:
- A robust curriculum that integrates counselling theories, developmental psychology and behavioural studies.
- Practical experience through counselling practicum, school-based guidance activities and supervised fieldwork.
- Exposure to real counselling cases involving personal, academic and social issues.
- Lecturers with expertise in counselling, educational psychology, behaviour management and mental health education.
- Training in modern counselling strategies including group counselling, behavioural interventions and career guidance.
- A supportive learning environment that values confidentiality, empathy and student-centred practice.
This programme prepares you to become a competent school counsellor, capable of fostering student wellbeing and helping learners navigate academic and life challenges.
Research Project
In your final year, you will undertake a research project that allows you to investigate an important issue related to human behaviour, counselling techniques, student adjustment, behavioural intervention or mental health in educational settings. This project helps you develop analytical thinking, research skills and practical insight into counselling practices. Working with your supervisor, you will:
- Select a research topic in areas such as career development, behavioural challenges, emotional adjustment, counselling strategies or mental health concerns.
- Apply appropriate research methods including interviews, surveys, case studies or observational analysis.
- Interpret your findings based on established psychological and counselling principles.
- Present your research in a structured and academically rigorous project report.
Your project serves as the capstone of your training, preparing you for roles in school counselling, youth development, educational consultancy and further academic research.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Education in Guidance and Counselling, you must fulfil the graduation requirements approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Academic Requirements
- Complete and pass all compulsory and elective courses in the programme.
- Earn the minimum credit units prescribed for the four-year degree (UTME) or three-year degree (Direct Entry).
- Maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.00.
- Complete and defend your final-year research project.
- Fulfil all teaching practice, practicum and school-based experience requirements.
Grading and Degree Classification
Your final classification is determined by your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), as follows:
Upon satisfying these requirements, you will be awarded the B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling, a professional qualification that equips you to support learners’ personal, academic and career development within school and youth-focused environments.
Career Opportunities
A degree in Guidance and Counselling prepares you for professional roles that require an understanding of human behaviour, emotional development, academic support and life skills coaching. You will be equipped to work with students, young people, parents and school communities to promote wellbeing and positive adjustment.
You may pursue careers such as:
- School counsellor
- Career guidance adviser
- Youth development officer
- Behavioural support specialist
- Educational consultant
- Student affairs officer
- Life skills coach
- Social services support assistant
- NGO or community support officer
- Rehabilitation and adjustment counsellor (non-clinical roles)
You may find employment in:
- Public and private primary and secondary schools
- Ministries of Education, Youth and Social Development
- Educational resource centres
- Community organisations and NGOs
- Youth development and mentorship programmes
- Guidance and counselling units in educational institutions
The programme also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate studies in Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, Human Development and related disciplines.
How to Apply?
1. UTME Entry (Four-Year Programme)
- Select Olabisi Onabanjo University as your first choice and Guidance and Counselling as your preferred programme.
- Sit for the UTME with English Language and other relevant Arts or Social Science subjects.
- Possess at least five O-Level credit passes including English Language, Mathematics and other acceptable subjects.
- Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise and meet the departmental cut-off mark.
2. Direct Entry (Three-Year Programme)
- Possess NCE, ND or equivalent qualifications in Education, Psychology or related fields with at least a merit or credit grade.
- Possess the required O-Level credit passes.
- Upload your academic transcripts and supporting documents through the OOU Undergraduate Admissions Portal.
You may begin your application or check your admission progress through the University’s official admissions portal.
Course Coordinator
The B.Ed. Guidance and Counselling programme is managed by a team of dedicated academics and experienced researchers within the Department of Educational Foundations and Counselling, Faculty of Education.
The current programme coordinator is:
Dr [Full Name]
Contact Information:
- Email:
- Phone:
- Office:
Course Overview
- Next Admission Process
- Current Academic Year
- Associated programmes = Undergraduate
- Course Duration = 4 Years
- Degree = Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
- Faculty = Education
- Course Type = Full Time
- Course Delivery = On campus.
- Location = Faculty of Education, Main Campus.
- Scholarship opportunities