Addiction Counselling - Gambling

Postgraduate Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling)

This Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling) is validated by QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications and is 30 ECTS.



The programme specifically aims to increase practitioner awareness and enhance relevant skills and competencies to engage with those with Gambling Addiction and to support them in their journey towards recovery. The programme is delivered by lecturers who have both therapeutic experiences of working in an addiction environment, but more specifically, gambling addiction.



Who is this course for?

This Level 9 Certificate Award is designed for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of counselling and psychotherapy related programmes as well as disciplines such as, nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas who wish to enhance the knowledge and competencies to engage with those with Gambling Addiction and to support them in their journey towards recovery. The Programme has been designed to take due cognisance of the distinctive features of Gambling Addiction and the specific ethos associated with the Recovery Model in Addiction to expand their knowledge and understanding of Recovery Approaches to Gambling Addiction and the contribution of theoretical and applied perspectives at advanced level to gambling addiction recovery practice.



It is designed for those working with individuals, families and communities impacted by Gambling Addiction. This Programme specifically focusses on understandings of Gambling Addiction and Recovery from Addiction Perspectives.



Course Aims

• Provide a postgraduate qualification in the theories and practice of Gambling Addiction principles for professionals who work with (or seek to work with) individuals, families and communities exposed to or experiencing gambling addiction and its consequences in a range of health or social care environments – to enable them to specialise, lead and work for better outcomes for individuals with complex needs at a policy, leadership and practice level.

• Support graduates of the programme to act as professional leaders as well as advocates and agents for change at an individual or broader level, advocating for social justice and human rights for their clients, and through specialised interventions, promote principles of respect and empowerment for clients and their families or communities in the context of gambling addiction.

• Provide a programme which, through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary engagement, models best evidence-informed practice and expands cross-disciplinary boundaries to develop and inform systemic development at the forefront of the field of gambling addiction practices.

• Respond to the increasing and expanding demand for policy and practice initiatives which are evidence-based in gambling addiction approaches within voluntary, community and healthcare settings to respond to everchanging social and culturally sensitive needs and act autonomously in often unpredictable and ill-defined professional contexts informed by recovery principles.

• Promote the understanding of best-practice in gambling addiction approaches, through evidencebased knowledge, reflection and scholarship.

• Enable students to employ theoretically informed competencies to support health promotion, prevention and rehabilitation/recovery in gambling addiction by creating and modelling learning opportunities where all learners can participate successfully within the context of their own strengths and abilities.

• Provide access routes to higher education and the opportunity for participants to specialise in Gambling addiction practices, based on their current professional needs, individual professional interests and/or career orientation.



Structure of Course

Learners can complete this course over 12 weeks . The timetable has been structured to optimise the utilisation of online learning via Zoom and in person mandatory attendance for skills based workshops.



This programme comprises 30 ECTS and is being offered as a Minor Award. It will supplement existing academic and professional learning among graduates of relevant undergraduate programmes, providing the opportunity for students to engage with subject material supporting specialist practice for graduates who seek to have a more robust understanding of ‘specialist’ interventions and approaches in work supporting Recovery within Gambling Addiction contexts.

The modules and associated credits relating to the Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling) are as follows:

Modules

• Contemporary Evidence Based Interventions in Addiction Recovery 10 ETCS

• Comorbidity & Trauma Informed Care 5 ETCS

• The Recovery Model in Addiction 5 ETCS

• Gambling Addiction & the Recovery Model 10 ETCS

• A minimum of a Second Class Honours (2:2) award in a relevant Human Science Degree at Level 8 on the NFQ – or equivalent.

• 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, may apply for admission to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Second Class Honours (2:2) award at Level 8.

• 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.

12 Weeks (Full-Time) / 24 Weeks (Part-Time)



Available at our Dublin and Limerick Campuses

Start Date: February 2025