Addiction Counselling

M.A. in Addiction Counselling
This Master’s programme in Addiction Counselling is designed for graduates in health and human sciences disciplines such as nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in a cognate area who wish to prepare for initial access to professional Accreditation as an Addiction Counsellor.

This programme will provide a postgraduate qualification in Addiction Counselling for professionals who work with individuals, families and communities exposed to or experiencing addiction and its consequences in a range of health or social care environments. It will enable learners to specialise, lead and work for better outcomes for individuals with complex needs.

This MA in Addiction Counselling will enable graduates to specialise in counselling interventions and promote principles of respect and empowerment for clients.

The M.A in Addiction Counselling is designed for practitioners who hold a Level 8 degree in health or human science areas and who wish to specialise in Addiction Counselling. It is attractive to professionals who, for example, work with diverse and marginalised groups of people with addiction difficulties or are experiencing social exclusion because of the consequences of addiction. The primary focus of this programme is for working with individuals and groups but also at community and policy levels as leaders in their field.

This programme is designed for those who wish to access evidence-based interventions and create opportunities for high-quality treatment experiences for all who need them. Modules within the course are designed to build personal capacity, collaborative problem-solving skills, and an understanding of the systems and context within which clients and their families may be best supported.

This programme will provide students with both theoretical and practical opportunities for working in addiction counselling within a variety of contexts in the statutory, community and voluntary sector. The programme has been designed to facilitate students who wish to become professionally accredited by Addiction Counsellors Ireland to meet their pre-accreditation criteria.

The opportunities embedded within the programme for the development and demonstration of critical thinking skills and theoretical knowledge transfer should mean that graduates of the MA in Addiction Counselling will be prepared to lead, plan, educate, consult, manage, design, evaluate and advocate effectively in the contexts in which they are working.

All of the taught modules are designed to support learners to apply all these elements of learning during the 120 hours of client work which is required within the Professional Practice module as well as in the completion of a dissertation. The programme combines both theory and practical skills in a way that supports the academic and professional development of the learner.

Individual modules may also be taken on a standalone basis. Taught Modules are taken across two academic years where the modules are taught through a blended learning approach using a combination of classroom-based modules and Virtual Classrooms as well as work-based learning. Blended learning combines face-to-face and web-based teaching and learning, which allows students to access classes in person or using on-line facilities to allow for a better work/life/study balance. In certain modules, mandatory attendance is a requirement.

How can I complete this Course?
The Programme can be completed on a Part-time basis over two years (6 semesters) and is delivered using a blended learning approach, with both traditional face-to-face contact and synchronous delivery through the VIRI classroom (Zoom).

Lectures will normally be timetabled on one evening per week from 6pm-9pm and on approximately eight Saturdays, 9:30am-4:30pm per academic semester.

As mentioned the programme has been scheduled to facilitate blended learning. Classes will be delivered through synchronous delivery which will involve classroom-based sessions, which will also be available on-line synchronously through a VIRI classroom, allowing students to log on to live classes.

Bearing in mind the benefits to students of collaborative and peer learning, and the importance of intellectual discourse and peer support, face-to-face classroom-based learning will also occur alongside the synchronous on-line delivery. The more practical elements of the programme will require students to attend in person.

Learners engage in work-based learning and will be required to undertake 120 hours of a Professional Placement as part of the programme.

Structure of Course:
The Programme is divided into 9 modules each of which has Educational Credits (ECTS) associated with them.

The programme has been designed to enable learners to demonstrate their academic and reflective learning in appropriate ways. Each module requires completion of an assessment type which will normally consist of 1 or 2 components. The assessment strategy accommodates different learning styles and therefore the programme assesses learners using a range of practical assignments, including; essays, learning journals, examinations, reflective exercises, and projects.

The completion of a research-based dissertation is a central part of the Masters programme and each student is supported by an academic supervisor for the entire period of their dissertation.

It is also important to note that learners who complete 60 ECTS and who wish to exit the programme without completing their Dissertation may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Counselling.

The course covers a range of subjects that are structured to develop competent professional practitioners. The subjects covered are designed to be both practical and theoretical as per the table below:

Modules
• Understanding Addiction 5 ETCS
• Skills & Competencies in Addiction Counselling 5 ETCS
• Contemporary Evidence Based Interventions in Addiction Recovery 10 ETCS
• Research Methodologies & Design 10 ETCS
• Community Reinforcement Approach & Family aspects in Addiction 10 ETCS
• Comorbidity & Trauma Informed Care 5 ETCS
• Knowing Self 5 ETCS
• Professional Practice 10 ETCS
• Dissertation 30 ETCS

What are the entry requirements for this course?
• The knowledge, skills and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 Programme will normally require applicants to 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. If you wish to apply for this programme, please click on the ‘Apply Now” tab. All applicants undertake a selection interview to support applicants to make an informed decision regarding their choice of programme and to ensure suitability.
• 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.
• Garda Vetting is a requirement for all successful applicants.
• All applicants will be required to attend for interview to ascertain their suitability for the Programme.

The admissions team will process your application and will contact you to arrange a suitable interview time.
Contact our Admissions team at 061 216288 or info@ichas.ie

How will I be assessed?

The programme has been designed to enable learners to demonstrate their academic and reflective learning in appropriate ways. Each module requires completion of an assessment type which will normally consist of 1 or 2 components. The assessment strategy accommodates different learning styles and therefore the programme assesses learners using a range of practical assignments, including; essays, learning journals, examinations, reflective exercises and projects.

The completion of a research based dissertation is a central part of the Masters programme and each student is supported by an academic supervisor for the entire period of their dissertation.

Total Credits 90

Part Time over 2 Years

Available at our Dublin and Limerick Campuses

The tuition fees for the programme are €7,165. Students can pay in instalments and all fees are fully protected under our Protection of Enrolled Learners' Policy.

Start Date: September 2024

Where Can I progress to on completion of the course?
On successful completion of the MA in Addiction Counselling, students will be qualified to access Level 10 Programmes on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

Careers
Completion of the programme will facilitate graduates to meet professional accreditation requirements for professional practice in Addiction Counselling.