Course Summary
This programme helps practitioners and graduates enhance their professional competence in counselling and psychotherapy through advanced study, professional placement, and research. It fosters personal and professional growth, collaborative problem-solving skills, and evidence-based practice.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
• 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.
• If English is not your native language, you must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement. 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.
Application Details
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.
Intake Dates:
Dublin - Part-Time - September 2027
Limerick - Part-Time - September 2027
Cork - Part-Time - September 2027
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
On successful completion of the MA in Counselling & Psychotherapy, 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 requirement of professional accreditation with 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
Aiseiri
My Move Counselling Services
Tusla
Social Care
Mental Health Nursing
Duration
Timetable
Timetables will be made available closer to the course start date.
This course is delivered over 2 Years Part-Time. Lectures are delivered one evening a week from 6pm-9pm and on approximately eight Saturdays from 9:30am-4:30 pm in the academic year (Sept-May). This M.A. is taught using a combination of classroom-based and skill-based learning in practice settings. The programme utilises Blended learning for theoretic elements of engagement. In-person attendance is required for skills-based modules.