New part-time DCU course for post-primary teachers in guidance counselling announced by Minister McEntee
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee has announced the launch of a part-time course for post-primary teachers who wish to specialise in guidance counselling, in a significant move to enhance supports available to students in post-primary education. The course will be delivered by Dublin City University.
Set to commence in January 2026, this course is aimed at addressing the shortage of qualified guidance counsellors in Cork and Munster in particular, but will be open for applications from all interested post-primary teachers throughout the country.
The course will accommodate up to 50 post-primary teachers. It represents a significant and unprecedented step by the Department of Education and Youth to meet the growing need for guidance counsellors in the post-primary sector.
Minister McEntee said
“Guidance counsellors make a huge difference in our schools, in supporting pupils and students to manage their own educational, personal, social, and life choices. This work helps to ensure they are empowered and supported to reach their full potential.
This course demonstrates my commitment and the commitment of my department to support students and their guidance-needs and also demonstrates a long-term commitment to guidance counselling and the role of guidance counsellors in our schools.
This course in guidance counselling is a direct response to the identified shortage of qualified guidance counsellors in Munster and I am confident that it will make a substantial difference to our schools in the area of student and indeed parent support.
I would urge all interested post-primary teachers to consider applying to this course when applications open in September.”
Prof Anne Looney, Executive Dean, DCU Institute of Education said
“We are delighted to work with the Department of Education and Youth to support the guidance needs of schools and students in Cork and across Munster. We bring our proven experience of delivering guidance outreach programmes for teachers and look forward to engaging with stakeholders on the particular needs and opportunities in this region.”
Aisling Murray Fleming, programme chair MSc & Grad Dip Guidance Counselling said
“This new part-time programme in Guidance Counselling in Cork marks our seventh year of outreach and our third regional location. This expansion reflects DCU’s ongoing commitment to widening access to high-quality guidance education and supporting the evolving needs of schools and students across the country.”