Structure of Course

This programme is available to be taken on a full-time or part-time basis over 4 years. Each academic year consists of two 12-week semester. Semester 1 runs from September to December and Semester 2 from January to April..

The programme is delivered by blended learning techniques as well as work-based learning, working directly with clients in Stages 3 & 4 of the programme.

Full-time option:

The full-time programme is normally scheduled over 3 consecutive days per week (over 12 weeks of each Semester) at ICHAS College Limerick from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, or at our Dublin Campus in Griffith College, Dublin (Subject to viable cohort).

Part-time option:

The part-time programme is normally scheduled on 1 evening per week (6 pm to 9 pm) and Saturdays (9.30 am to 4.30 pm) over the 2 semesters September to December and January to April from ICHAS College Limerick, or at our off-campus centres at Griffith College Dublin, Galway Business School, Wharton House Waterford or Cavan Institute, (Subject to viable cohorts).

The Part-Time programme utilises a Blended Learning approach which facilitates students to access classes in person or using on-line facilities. In certain modules (mainly Skills Based) attendance is a mandatory requirement.

The course covers a range of subjects which when taken together provide a syllabus designed to develop competent professional practitioners. The subjects covered are designed to be both practical and theoretical.

The Modules leading to the award of BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy with Addiction Studies are detailed in the tables below,  a brief descriptor of module aims can be found here

The knowledge, skills, and competence required to successfully participate in and complete the Level 8 Programme are outlined below:

• All applicants must be over 18 years of age and are required to undergo Garda Vetting
• Applicants will be required to have basic IT literacy, skills, and competence
• For non-native speakers of English, a C score in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) or equivalent International English Language Testing System  IELTS score of 6.0 is required

CAO Applicants

A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including English or Irish. Mathematics is not a subject requirement for this programme.

Leaving Certificate candidates are required to  for this programme through the CAO system. Once an offer of a place is made, all applicants will be required to undergo Garda vetting procedures (this criterion will be communicated to all applicants in advance of final CAO offers) and make a self-declaration of Fitness for the Programme.

 Mature Applicants (Over 23 Years of Age)

Mature Applicants will undergo the following selection process:

• Attend for an interview
• Provide any information requested by the Institute e.g. provision of personal references
• Undergo Garda vetting procedures
• All applicants will be subject to the College’s ‘Fitness to Practice’ policy, which is set out in detail in the Programme Handbook and on the website

Candidates who hold a relevant QQI Level 5 qualification with a Distinction in at least three modules will qualify for entry to the programme. Examples of such modules would include:

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 emphasis on academic and clinical experience.

The programme is highly interactive and is designed for learners who wish to begin their educational and learning journey in the fields of Counselling and Psychotherapy specifically to work in addiction settings. It is specially designed for those who aspire to develop professional’s competence to work with diverse and marginalised groups of people or individuals with complex needs.

The primary focus will be working with individuals and groups but also to prepare learners to contribute at community and policy levels as practitioners in their field. This programme is for those who wish to break down barriers of access to evidence-based intervention and create opportunities for high-quality treatment experiences for all who need them.

Graduates of this programme can be found working in the private and public statutory sector in organisations such as Tusla, HSE, Merchants Quay Project, Peter McVerry Trust, Irish Prison Service, Aiseiri, and other areas of addiction practice. Graduates have also found employment in community-based organisations, working with individuals, families, and communities affected by addiction as members of multi-disciplinary teams in health, settings within the private, community, and voluntary sectors.

• Utilises “Blended Learning”
• Benchmarked against European Association of Counselling Training Standards (2015)
• The awards associated with this programme are accepted for Professional Accreditation by The Addiction Counsellors of Ireland ACI;  Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapist’s APCP & The National Association for Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy – NAPCP
• Support Students to develop Personally & Professionally to enable them to achieve a Level 8 Degree
• Develop students knowledge, skills & competence to an appropriate level of ‘Higher Order Practice’

Modules within the course are designed to build personal capacity, collaborative problem-solving skills and an understanding of the systems and context within which individuals may be best supported.

This course is offered on a Full Time or Part Time basis and there are options around the payment of course fees with payment plans made available to learners.

A central component of the ICHAS vision is the provision of flexible and affordable education for all. In line with this approach, the fees for the programme whether full or part-time are in line with those of Universities and Institutes of Technology and we work with learners to work out suitable options around the payment of fees

The fees for the programme are €4,050 (€7,975 for Non EEA Students)  (this includes a 2% PEL levy). In addition, students who opt for monthly instalments will incur an extra annual fee of €150 to avail of this facility. All fees are fully protected under our Protection of Enrolled Learners’ Policy.

International Students

Click here to view international fees

Please Note: Non-EU/EEA students are required under the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) to pay fees in full upon acceptance of their place on a programme.

Protection of Enrolled Learners’ Policy:All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.

Additional Requirements and Costs

Please be aware that Personal Therapy and Clinical Supervision are criteria for the course and costs are extra and not included in tuition fees. The successful completion of the BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy with Addiction Studies is dependent on the completion of submitting the necessary evidence that these criteria are fulfilled.