Guidance Counselling

The M.Sc. in Guidance Counselling is a two year part-time programme recognised by the DES and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) for professional practice as a guidance counsellor. The programme offers initial education and training in the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for practice in the interrelated areas of personal, education and career guidance counselling. A key element of the programme is the strong emphasis on reflective practice and personal growth facilitated by personal counselling, placement practice experience and professional supervision to support and enable personal and professional development.

Students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including the primary, secondary, further education and tertiary sectors, youth and community work, adult education, employee welfare, state agencies, business, industry, health and Human Resources.

This programme is also recognised by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) as a qualification to work as a guidance counsellor in a second level school.

Please note the DES also require employees to hold:

A primary degree with subjects recognised for teaching in second level schools (please check www.teachingcouncil.ie) and

A recognised teaching qualification.

Students are selected on the basis of:

Academic achievement or accredited prior learning.

Professional experience (three years' full or part time experience in a field broadly related to guidance is desirable).

Capacity to demonstrate at interview a vision and understanding of the role of the guidance counsellor, potential as a guidance counsellor to work with clients in response to their personal, educational and career needs and a willingness to commit to the demands of the programme.

Academic Structures
Programme Academic Structure for 2023 - 2024, MSc in Guidance Counselling
This information is provisional & subject to change.

Part-time Programme Structure

Year 1 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
HD520 Foundational Skills in Guidance Counselling 10 Year long 0 100 1
HD523 Int. Frameworks for Guidance Practice I 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
HD524 Guidance & The Digital World 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
HD525 Guidance Placement I 5 Semester 2 0 100 1
HD583 Theory&Skills of Experiential Group Processes 10 Semester 2 0 100 1

Year 2 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
HD5240 Int. Frameworks for Guidance Practice II 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
HD5280 Guidance Placement II 20 Year long 0 100 1
HD5280A Guidance Counselling Practice Placement 10 Year long 0 100 1
HD529 Research Dissertation 30 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
HD533 Ethical and Inclusive Guidance 5 Semester 2 0 100 1
HD534 Research in Guidance (Policy & Practice) 20 Autumn Semester 0 100 2

Year 2 Optional Modules,
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
UM405 Uaneen Non-Contributing Module Year long 0 100 1

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.

To apply for this programme:

All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available at the Application Weblink.

There are three parts to the application process. All parts must be completed for your application to be valid and to be eligible for interview.

1. Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.
2. The following supplementary form (Download: To Be Confirmed) must be fully completed and emailed to mscgc@dcu.ie.
3. All applicants must also provide two completed References (please see application portal)
4. Copy of passport

Please ensure that you upload the required documentation to your application. Failure to do so will render ineligibility for interview. DCU cannot accept responsibility for incomplete applications.

Please note:
Applications Closing Date: 29th February 2024

Applicants do not need to complete the personal statement as this requirement is fulfilled on the supplementary form.

All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.

Successful candidates please note deferrals are not permitted on this programme due to the large volume of applicants and the very strong competition for places annually.

Canvassing of any kind will disqualify an applicant. Furthermore, we do not discuss any aspect of an application with third parties.

2 years part-time.

The 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 various settings such as second level schools, adult guidance (including employment by ETBs), youth and community work, third level career services, employee welfare, industry, health sector, rehabilitation services, and private practice.