Guidance Counselling

Recognised by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, this two-year part-time course aims to give an understanding of the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for personal, education and career guidance counselling.



Through strong reflective practice, you’ll be encouraged and supported to develop responsibility for personal and professional development, and learn how to identify and mobilise resources across a network of external agencies and the wider community. You’ll also complete 130 hours of supervised placement in your chosen area.



The overall aim of this programme is to provide students with a standard of excellence in the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary for practice in the field of personal, education and career guidance and counselling.



Students are educated and trained to develop a systematic and coherent framework for practice within your organisation.



Through strong reflective practice, students are encouraged and supported to develop responsibility for personal and professional development, and learn how to identify and mobilise resources across a network of external agencies and the wider community.



Students on this programme come from a broad range of professional backgrounds which enhances the shared practice and experience of learners.



Our innovative and learner-centred approaches enable the guidance community to respond to the many challenges and opportunities now facing the profession.



It encourages personal development and professional practice competence through group supervision.



It develops transferable skills in the application of new technology to the field of guidance and counselling.



You can engage in supervised research in an area of guidance and counselling which is of personal and professional interest.

Requirements



Applicants are required to hold a Primary Honours (Level 8) degree, plus three years relevant work experience.



OR



Equivalent professional qualification with three years relevant experience.



All applicants who are deemed to meet the minimum academic qualifications will be required to attend for interview.



Applicants will not be considered for interview unless all aspects of the application process are fully completed.



Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme. For further information, please contact the Programme Chair using the contact details above.



International Applications



International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language, they must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here



Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.

2 years part-time.

Unlock new career opportunities

Students will be selected on the basis of academic achievement and professional experience. You will need to demonstrate your understanding of the role of a guidance counsellor and willingness to commit to the demands of the programme at interview. The DES also requires employees to hold a primary degree with subjects recognised for teaching in secondary schools and a teaching qualification.



The course attracts students from various professional backgrounds, so you’ll benefit from diverse perspectives and group discussions. Graduates are currently employed in various roles in secondary schools, third level career services, adult guidance, youth and community work, employee welfare, rehabilitation services and private practices.



This programme is designed to support participants wishing to engage in initial education and training as guidance counsellors and to enhance the in-career development of existing practitioners.



Graduates are currently employed in a number of different areas as outlined below:

Second level schools

Adult guidance (including employment by ETBs)

Youth and community work

Third level career services

Employee welfare

Industry

Health sector

Rehabilitation services

Private practice