Prospective Students

Degree Information:

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

Please note the DES also require employees to hold:

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

The practice of guidance and counselling is focused on three key areas:

• Personal/Social
• Educational
• Career/Vocational

This professional programme will suit those already working indirectly in these three areas, without a recognised qualification and those seeking to establish a career who therefore need to undergo initial education and training.

Students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including second level teaching, adult education and HR. Students are selected on the basis of:

• Academic achievement or accredited prior learning.
• Professional experience (equivalent of 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.

Aims and Objectives:

• 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.
• You will be educated and trained to develop a systematic and coherent framework for practice within your organisation.
• Through strong reflective practice, you 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.

Programme Structure:

This two year, part-time programme has lectures on Wednesdays and Thursdays (5pm to 8pm), with additional lectures on five Saturdays in Semesters 1 and 2. Please note lectures continue during second level school mid-term breaks.

In Year 1, there are five taught modules across both semesters, attracting a total of 30 credits. In Year 2, three taught modules attract a further 20 credits.

Students undertake a supervised placement practice module (10 credits) of at least 100 hours, between Year 1 and Year 2. Students are responsible for finding their own placement and may complete the 100 hours in a maximum of two different settings.

To be eligible for the Masters award, students are required to submit a research dissertation. This attracts a total of 30 credits and is submitted at the end of Year 2.

As a professional requirement of the programme all students will be required to complete the module, Psychometrics - Theory and Practice Level A (certified by the British Psychological Society), timetabled over five Saturdays at the end of year one. Psychometrics Theory and Practice Level B - Personality Assessment - is offered as an optional module at the end of Year 2 of the programme. Both of these modules incur a separate cost from the overall programme fee. Students already holding these qualifications will be granted an exemption upon evidence of completion.

All students are required to undergo 10 sessions of personal counselling during the programme with an accredited and certified counsellor or therapist, at their own cost.

There are no formal examinations on this programme. Assessment for all modules is on a continuous basis.

YEAR ONE

YEAR TWO

Additional Modules (completed over the two year programme cycle)

View the subjects currently taught on this course (2012 - 2013)

• Students 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.

Career Prospects:

The programme is designed to support participants wishing to engage in initial 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 the VEC), youth and community work, third level career services, industry, rehabilitation and private practice.

Entry Requirements:

• Applicants will normally be required to hold, as a minimum, a primary honours degree OR equivalent professional qualfication with relevant experience.
• Applicants who do not hold a primary honours degree as outlined above, may be considered for admission if they are able to present, at interview, evidence of professional experience and responsibility in a relevant area of work.
• 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.

Application Process 2013

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

1. For entry in September 2013 applications MUST be submitted online at www.pac.ie with course code DC906 by 30th April 2013.
2. The following supplementary form must be fully completed and returned directly to Postgraduate Administrator, Guidance & Counselling Programme, School of Education Studies, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.

(Please do not complete the personal statement on PAC as this requirement is fulfilled on the supplementary form).

Is is strongly recommended that you send required documentation to the PAC Application Centre by registered post as DCU cannot accept responsiblities for incomplete applications.

Click here to download the supplementary form:
www.dcu.ie/prospective/files/DC906_Supplementary_Document.docx

Please note that canvassing of any kind will disqualify an applicant. Furthermore, we do not discuss any aspect of an application with third parties.

All correspondence regarding your application for this programme will be made through the email address provided with your online application. It is your responsibility to monitor your PAC account for a change in status. Those who are placed on waiting lists should be particularly mindful of this and all applicants who are offered a place on the programme should ensure they confirm acceptance by the due date otherwise the place will be offered to the next applicant on the waiting list.

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: http://www.dcu.ie/international/index.shtml

Please note all correspondence regarding the entire process of application, including interview outcome, is mediated through the PAC system. Please ensure to regularly check your PAC account.

Queries on PAC applications can be made by email to registry.pac@dcu.ie

Full list of degrees >

Fee information

Indicative Timetable
(Weeks 20-31)