Course Title: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Please note: This course is not on the CAO and applications should be made directly to the University.
This programme is only available to applicants aged 25 years or older on 1st January of year of entry. All candidates will be required to attend for interview.
The candidate is required to engage in 30 hours of self-funded personal therapy in Years 1 & 2 of the programme (totaling 60 hours) if they wish to progress to Year 3.
All candidates will be required to submit a personal statement and attend for interview.
Schedule
- 2 x 15 week semesters per year
- Thursday 17:00 - 20:00
- Friday 09:00 - 15:00
- Every second Saturday 09:00 - 16:00
Course Fee
- €4,750 per year
Commencement Date
- September 2023
How to Apply?
- Applications for this course are made directly to our Admissions Office via our website - Apply Online
- An application fee of €50 must be paid at time of online application. This fee is non-refundable.
- Following receipt of your application you will receive an email requesting evidence that you meet the minimum entry requirements, i.e. 25 years of age or over on 1st September 2023. All candidates will be required to attend for interview.
- If you are made an offer you will be required to pay an acceptance fee of €100 to secure your place. This acceptance fee will be offset against the course fee and is non-refundable. Please note 25% of the course fee will be due at the time of registration.
The BA (Honours) in Counselling and Psychotherapy was developed in consultation and partnership with stakeholders in this area. Counsellors and Psychotherapists are helping professionals focused on encouraging people to talk about their problems and implement change through this collaborative discussion. This course was developed to equip the participants with the skills and competencies necessary to work as a Counsellor/ Psychotherapist in Ireland. This is an evidence informed programme based on a humanistic framework that integrates Person-Centred and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), underpinned by Ericksonian principles.
There are embedded awards in the BA (Honours) in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Upon successful completion of year one of the course there is a Certificate in Introduction to Counselling Skills (minor award, 60 ECTS) at level 6 of the NFQ. And upon the successful completion of year two there is a Higher Certificate in Arts in Counselling (120 ECTS), also at level 6 of the NFQ.
Accreditation
The BA Hons in Counselling & Psychotherapy is accredited by two professional bodies.
Graduates of the BA (Honours) in Counselling and Psychotherapy will have opportunities for employment in diverse areas such as:
- TUSLA
- HSE
- Caring professions
- Department of Education and Skills (as counsellors in secondary schools and HEIs)
- Human resources
- Voluntary organisations
- Youth and community work
- Addiction services
- Family support services
- Counselling services
- Private practice
The programme also has embedded awards after Years 1 and/or Year 2 of study, for those people working in the caring, educational, and allied professions who wish to develop their personal and professional skills to enhance their practice.
Year 1 Semester 1
- Introduction to the Origins of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Holistic Wellbeing and Psychological Disorders
- Personal and Professional Development
- Equality and Anti-discriminatory Practice
- Group and Personal Processes 1
- Substance Misuse and Addictive Behaviours
Year 1 Semester 2
- Counselling Skills
- Person Centred Mental Health
- Interventions for Wellbeing
- Group and Personal Processes 2
- Introduction to the Origins of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Personal and Professional Development
Year 2 Semester 1
- Translating Theory into Practice
- Lifespan Development
- Professional Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy
- The Neuroscience of Talking Therapies
- Mental Health Policy
- Experiential Group Process
Year 2 Semester 2
- Ethics and Professional Values
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Family Systems Theory
- Bereavement and Loss
- Translating Theory into Practice
- Experiential Group Processes
Year 3 Semester 2
- Practice Placement 1*
- Managing Professional Practice 2
- Application and Integration of Theory and Practice
- Group Collegiate Processes
*Students will have the opportunity for placement with our partner organisations, such as Northside Counselling Service.
Year 4 Semester 1
- Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- The Community Reinforcement Approach to Addictions
- Preparation for Dissertation
- Developing and Integrating Professional Identity
- Group Exploration and Development
Year 4 Semester 2
- Practice Placement 2*
- Dissertation
- Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
*Students will have the opportunity for placement with our partner organisations, such as Northside Counselling Service.
Graduates may wish to further develop their skills and qualifications on Masters programmes in Irish universities offering postgraduate courses in Counselling and Psychotherapy.