Addiction Counselling

Overview

Looking to Pursue a Career as an Addiction Counsellor? This is an ICHAS course delivered at Griffith College by ICHAS.



The MA is designed for practitioners who hold a Level 8 degree in health or human science areas and who wish to specialise in Addiction Counselling. The primary focus of this programme is working with individuals and groups, as well as at community and policy levels, as leaders in their field.



Why Should You Study an MA in Addiction Counselling?

The MA has many distinctive features that make it one of the leading programmes of this type. It meets the QQI Award Standards for Counselling and Psychotherapy in Ireland. Students may seek Professional Accreditation with Addiction Counsellors Ireland. This programme is part of a suite of programmes that have been validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), ensuring the quality of its teaching and assessment strategies, programme content and quality.



You will also get an in-depth knowledge of a variety of special fields, as well as:

• Delivered by lecturers who are experts in the fields of study.

• Recognised nationally and internationally. Learners will receive the Europass Diploma Supplement and degree parchment upon completion.

• Recognised by professional accreditation bodies within the Psychological Therapies Forum.

• Utilises blended learning approaches, offering a flexible approach for all students through face-to-face and online learning, meaning students may study at a pace and duration that fits their lifestyle

• Focuses on interventions with proven, evidence-based effectiveness.

• Combines a well-balanced match of theory and practice.

• Facilitates access to higher-level education, thus increasing employment opportunities for graduates in various areas where addiction is problematic.

• Facilitates a progression route to PhD and professional doctorate-level programmes.



Professional Placement:

All students will undertake work-based learning as part of the programme – comprising 120 hours of direct client work (10 ECTS) in an approved placement setting.



In conjunction with the 120 client hours, students will undertake clinical supervision at a ratio of 1 hour of clinical supervision to 4 hours of client work, which equates to 30 hours of Clinical Supervision.



The Professional Placement module will also enhance students’ professional capacity to work confidently and independently in various settings. Some of the placement providers that we work closely with are Aiseiri Treatment Centres (Nationwide), Saoirse (Limerick), My Move Counselling (Limerick & Tipperary), Cuain Mhuire, Coolmine Treatment Centre, The Grove, Kerry.



Knowing Self:

Students are required to engage in a minimum of 50 hours of Personal Therapy or equivalent through this module. These hours may include certified participation in a therapeutic group process to a maximum of 50% of the total requirement.

Modules:

Understanding Addiction

Research Methodologies & Design

Skills & Competencies in Addiction Counselling

Contemporary Evidence Based Interventions in Addiction Recovery

Community Reinforcement Approach & Family aspects in Addiction

Knowing Self

Comorbidity & Trauma Informed Care

Professional Practice

• This programme is designed for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of counselling-related programmes as well as, nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition.



• The knowledge, skills and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 Programme. Applicants will normally have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Human Science Level 8 degree.



• Those who have completed other relevant education programmes or have relevant professional experience, etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification, and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard can also be considered.



• All applicants undertake a selection interview to support applicants to make an informed decision regarding their choice of programme and to ensure suitability.



• Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.



• The minimum English language proficiency requirement for this programme is B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.



English Language

​The minimum English language proficiency requirement for this programme is B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

The College is committed to the recognition of prior learning attained both formally and informally. It may be recognised either to facilitate access to a higher education programme or to allow an award of credit as in the case of allowing exemption from a module.



It is the responsibility of the learner to make a formal written application to the College requesting an exemption and supplying all appropriate supporting evidence, i.e. transcript of results and module descriptor/syllabus including intended learning outcomes. Recognised prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis with an emphasis on academic and clinical experience.

Applications for this course are submitted through the ICHAS website. When you click on "Application Weblink" above, you will be directed to ICHAS to complete your application.

2 years part-time.



Timetable

This course is delivered part-time over two years. Lectures are delivered one evening a week from 6pm to 9pm and over approximately eight Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm during the academic year (Sept-May).



The programme utilises blended learning for theoretic elements of engagement. In-person attendance is required for skills-based modules. This allows the learner to access classes in person or online, allowing for flexibility in achieving a work/life/study balance.

Intake Dates

Dublin - Part-Time - September 2026

Limerick - Part-Time - September 2026

Cork - Part-Time - September 2026

Progression

On successful completion of the MA in Addiction Counselling, learners will be qualified to access Level 10 Programmes on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).



Career Options:

This programme is designed to meet the requirements for professional accreditation with Addiction Counsellor Ireland, The Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists (APCP), and the National Association for Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy.



Graduates from this programme can be found working in various settings across the caring profession and can be found working in such as:

Private Practice

HSE

Addiction Treatment Centres

Pieta House

Mental health Services

Aiseiri

My Move Counselling Services

Tusla

Social Care