A postgraduate diploma that focuses on human behaviour, family relationships, and counselling is a big decision. IGNOU offers a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy (PGDCFT) that is attractive to graduates in many different disciplines. They want to gain structured knowledge of this field via distance learning. Unnati Education helps learners to make an informed decision before committing.
Conversations about mental health and emotional concerns are changing. Families, institutions, and workplaces now recognize that communication, relationship, and behaviour patterns are complex. Structured study in counselling, family therapy, and other related fields has increased.
This diploma is not an official licence to practice as a healthcare professional. IGNOU explicitly states that this programme is not approved or recognized by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions. The PGDCFT is a strong learning programme that offers a solid educational foundation in the following areas:
Our role is to ensure that the learners know what they can and cannot achieve with the programme, so they make informed decisions instead of relying solely on assumptions.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme Code | PGDCFT |
| Programme Name | Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy |
| Type | Postgraduate Diploma |
| Mode of Study | Open and Distance Learning (ODL) |
| School | School of Continuing Education, IGNOU |
| Duration | Minimum 1 Year — Maximum 3 Years |
| Medium of Instruction | English |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's Degree in Any Discipline from a recognized university |
| Total Credits | 32 |
| Support Partner | Unnati Education: Admission, Assignments & Exam Support |
Last Date: The session typically closes around 15 October 2025. Apply early to ensure timely enrollment and access to materials. Unnati Education manages portal login, form filling, subject selection, and confirmation tracking to keep your registration error-free.
IGNOU PGDCFT carries a combined total of 32 credit hours. Each credit is equivalent to around 30 hours, including self-study as well as practicum, reflection, and related activities. The structure includes:
| Course Code | Title of the Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MCFT 1 | Human Development and Family Relationships | 4 |
| MCFTL 1 | Human Development and Family Relationships – Supervised Practicum | 2 |
| MCFT 2 | Mental Health and Disorders | 4 |
| MCFTL 2 | Mental Health and Disorders – Supervised Practicum | 2 |
| MCFT 3 | Counselling and Family Therapy: Basic Concepts and Theoretical Perspectives | 4 |
| MCFTL 3 | Counselling and Family Therapy: Basic Concepts and Theoretical Perspectives – Supervised Practicum | 2 |
| MCFT 4 | Counselling and Family Therapy: Applied Aspects | 4 |
| MCFTL 4 | Counselling and Family Therapy: Applied Aspects – Supervised Practicum | 2 |
| MCFT 5 | Counselling and Family Therapy: Research Methods and Statistics | 4 |
| MCFTL 5 | Counselling and Family Therapy: Research Methods and Statistics – Supervised Practicum | 2 |
| MCFTL 8 | Reflective Journal | 2 |
| Total Credits | 32 | |
Instead of listing each topic, the design can be understood as a layered approach: It starts with human development and family systems and then moves on to mental-health concepts, counselling and family-therapy theory, followed by applied practice and, finally, research methods and reflective writing. This combination attempts to ensure that students are not just reading, but also observing and practising their own learning processes.
The course code for this diploma begins with MCFT. This isn't just a course code; it represents a very clear academic philosophy. The programme is designed to create a strong foundation in:
Learners should not just read about the topics, but also be able to think critically about them. By completing practicums, students are guided to see how concepts appear in family and real-life situations.
The application is straightforward on paper
Our experience has shown that the students who most benefit from this Diploma usually fall into three broad categories.
We encourage our learners to consider their educational background, current responsibilities, and long-term planning before settling on a particular diploma. Our simple rule is that you must know why you are interested in this diploma, and not just its details.
Official documents use formal language, but we can simplify the main objectives. The PGDCFT aims:
Unnati Education considers these goals important, as they keep learners from simplifying the subject. The programme is not designed to turn someone into an expert practitioner in a year. However, it provides a solid academic basis.
If learners earn this diploma honestly, they will:
We view these outcomes as the base. Some learners will use this as a foundation for further study, while others will apply it to their current profession in an ethical and careful way.
Without committing to job titles or registrations, we can still talk about how this programme could be useful.
We see it as simple: This diploma provides a structured toolkit of academic knowledge. Your path will be determined by how you combine this with your previous education, your work experience, or further study.
The importance of a certain point must be stressed calmly and clearly. IGNOU says that the NCAHP (National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions) does not approve this programme. This commission is responsible for regulating the registration for certain healthcare professions.
It means:
Unnati Education advises students to approach this program as a way to build their skills and knowledge in family therapy and counselling, and not as a means to a regulated clinical title. Clarity is key to avoiding disappointment later.
After successfully completing PGDCFT, learners may enroll for the second session of the Master of Science (MSCCFT) at a later date, using credit transfers, according to IGNOU regulations.
This path is important for:
When learners are considering this path, we help them to think about time, workload, future plans, and other factors before they commit.
Distance learning can make you feel alone if all you do is figure it out on your own. This is particularly true with specialised programs like PGDCFT. Learners have many questions regarding assignments, practicals, and progression options.
Unnati Education:
Our commitment is clear: We will guide you throughout the entire process, from 0 to 100. This line isn't just a slogan; it is our responsibility.
IGNOU Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy Admission Opportunity is not about adding a new line to your CV. You will be entering a structured programme which asks you to think deeply about families, people, and interactions.
Unnati Education has a simple approach. Please take the time to carefully review the NCAHP disclaimer and the official documents. Also, consider your goals before deciding whether PGDCFT will fit into your plan. We are here to support you throughout the programme. From your first doubts, through to your final assessment, we will help you to handle complexity with clarity.
It is not necessary to do it alone. We will help you to plan, to be realistic, to make your journey through the IGNOU Diploma meaningful, and to get from 0 to 100%.
