ICHAS are offering Modules from the following Masters programmes on a Headstart basis commencing in January 2021.

As part of its ongoing commitment to providing flexible and affordable education, The Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences will continue its Headstart initiative for Masters students commencing in January 2021. The head start programme will see students commencing modules of the above Masters programme between January and April 2023. The remaining modules will be completed between September 2023 and August 2024 for year 1 of the selected programme. This initiative will allow students to study at a flexible pace to fit in with their busy working lives and other commitments.

Who can access the Programme?

The initiative is open to anyone who has completed a level 8 qualification in the field relevant to the Masters programme that they choose or its equivalent with a grade 2.2 or higher. To access the programme you will need to:
 Complete the application form on or by 12th December  <<<click here for online application form>>>
 Complete an interview process, which is designed to explore your reasons for taking the programme and to ensure that it is suitable for your needs. ICHAS is committed to ensuring that the programme you are on is right for you.
 Complete the Garda vetting procedure.
Applicants can also be accepted based on our process for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Accredited Prior Learning (APL). Please contact the college on 061 216288 or at info@ichas.ie for further information regarding your options.

Technologies Used

The college uses a Blended Learning environment primarily through the use of Adobe Connect and a learning management system which allows learners the option to attend classes in the actual classroom or to attend their lectures remotely for some of the theory based modules. This initiative has been hugely successful and it helps in maintaining a sustainable work/life balance for students. Those wishing to participate on the programme must have access to adequate broadband and internet facilities.

Programme Leader

Professor Denis Ryan has led the postgraduate department in the college since its inception in 2009. He has over 35 years’ experience in working in the health and social care sectors in Ireland. He has held academic posts at lecturer and Senior Lecturer level with the University of Limerick as well as with the University of Applied Science in Utrecht, the Netherlands and held a three-year appointment as visiting Clinical Lecturer with the University of Hull and as he has published widely in health related fields.

QQI Awarding Body

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) was established in November 2012 and is an amalgamation of four historical bodies namely, The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC), the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) and the Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB). Under the 2012 act, QQI has both awarding and quality assurance responsibilities. The qualification gained will be at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). For further information on the new body please see their website at www.qqi.ie

Counselling & Psychotherapy to be regulated under CORU

ICHAS welcomes recent changes  in relation to  the statutory regulation of Counselling & Psychotherapy under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005. In a commentary from Minister Simon Harris’s  Office who was Minister of Health in 2017 , it was explained that the submissions received in the consultation process undertaken at the end of 2016 showed majority support for statutory regulation of the professions and for it to be undertaken in the context of the Health & Social Care Professionals Act, 2005. Minister Harris indicated that he intended to proceed with the designation of two distinct professions, counsellor and psychotherapist, each with its own register, under one registration board under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. His office has indicated that Department officials will commence work as soon as is practicable on the legislative and administrative arrangements required to designate the professions under the 2005 Act, establish the registration board and arrange for the appointment of its 13 board members in accordance with the provisions of the 2005 Act.

Programme Costs

The college continues to work to ensure the costs of its programmes remain as affordable as possible, allowing the maximum number of students to access the entire range of courses. Those commencing Headstart Masters Programmes in January 2023 will pay €500 per 5 credit module within the Headstart Programme.

ONLINE Information Session:

Information Evening

Online information sessions will be held throughout the year. If you wish to attend these online information sessions please check out our events page.