Course Summary
There is a growing awareness of the widespread harm caused by addiction to individuals, families and communities. This training is part of an evolving shift from over-reliance on medical based models of treatment to those of psycho-social interventions and talking therapies.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Eligibility Year 1
Applicants are required to hold a relevant degree (Level 8 NFQ or equivalent; Final grade 2.2 or above).
Applicants who do not meet these criteria may be eligible to enter the course on the basis of prior learning and experience in the area. Students applying on the basis of prior learning must provide evidence of their knowledge, skill and ability to pursue this programme of study. This should be in the form of a career portfolio outlining and demonstrating your career path as is relevant to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must be submitted with your application.
Applicants should ideally have access to opportunities for client work in their current role and be able to apply theoretical principles and practice in their current workplace.
Application Process Year 1
• Send in Complete Application Form and Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)
• Copies of Transcripts (Confirming 2.2 on relevant Level 8 Degree or higher) or Copy of Career Portfolio
• and 500-word written statement on why you believe they are suitable for the course.
All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
Eligibility Year 2
Students who hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy (PCI College or equivalent) may apply for entry to Year 2 of the course.
Students who do not meet these criteria may be eligible to enter Year 2 on the basis of prior learning and experience in the area. Students applying on the basis of prior learning must provide evidence of their knowledge, skill and ability to pursue this programme of study. This should be in the form of a career portfolio outlining and demonstrating your career path as is relevant to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must be submitted with your application.
Application Process Year 2
External Applicants - Graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy:
• Send complete year 2 application form and deposit (online/hard copy)
• All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
• Places are limited (18). Selection is based on application and interview.
External Applicants:
• Send complete year 2 application form & deposit (online/hard copy)
• Complete course comparison form including:
o Copy of current/previous course prospectus/course outline
o Transcript of results of all assessments/examinations
o Copy of all relevant qualifications
o Completed course comparison form
o Letter from counsellor to verify previous hours of personal therapy (if applicable)
o Letter from supervisor to verify hours of client work with varying presenting issues (must have completed at least 15% of the overall course requirement in the last 12 months)
• Statement on why you feel you have met the Learning Outcomes for Year 1. (approximately 1000 words)
All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
________________________________________
Language Requirements
All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 6 at the undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate level or an equivalent score of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Cambridge, which denotes a very good skill level of English. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.
Garda vetting
Students will be requested to participate in Garda Vetting procedures in relation to programme and accreditation requirements.
IT Skills: students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.
Eligibility Year 1
Applicants are required to hold a relevant degree (Level 8 NFQ or equivalent; Final grade 2.2 or above).
Applicants who do not meet these criteria may be eligible to enter the course on the basis of prior learning and experience in the area. Students applying on the basis of prior learning must provide evidence of their knowledge, skill and ability to pursue this programme of study. This should be in the form of a career portfolio outlining and demonstrating your career path as is relevant to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must be submitted with your application.
Applicants should ideally have access to opportunities for client work in their current role and be able to apply theoretical principles and practice in their current workplace.
Application Process Year 1
• Send in Complete Application Form and Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)
• Copies of Transcripts (Confirming 2.2 on relevant Level 8 Degree or higher) or Copy of Career Portfolio
• and 500-word written statement on why you believe they are suitable for the course.
All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
Eligibility Year 2
Students who hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy (PCI College or equivalent) may apply for entry to Year 2 of the course.
Students who do not meet these criteria may be eligible to enter Year 2 on the basis of prior learning and experience in the area. Students applying on the basis of prior learning must provide evidence of their knowledge, skill and ability to pursue this programme of study. This should be in the form of a career portfolio outlining and demonstrating your career path as is relevant to this course (including transcripts of any relevant results, statements of prior learning based on systematic reflection) and be must be submitted with your application.
Application Process Year 2
External Applicants - Graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy:
• Send complete year 2 application form and deposit (online/hard copy)
• All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
• Places are limited (18). Selection is based on application and interview.
External Applicants:
• Send complete year 2 application form & deposit (online/hard copy)
• Complete course comparison form including:
o Copy of current/previous course prospectus/course outline
o Transcript of results of all assessments/examinations
o Copy of all relevant qualifications
o Completed course comparison form
o Letter from counsellor to verify previous hours of personal therapy (if applicable)
o Letter from supervisor to verify hours of client work with varying presenting issues (must have completed at least 15% of the overall course requirement in the last 12 months)
• Statement on why you feel you have met the Learning Outcomes for Year 1. (approximately 1000 words)
All suitable candidates will be invited to interview
________________________________________
Language Requirements
All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 6 at the undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate level or an equivalent score of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Cambridge, which denotes a very good skill level of English. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.
Garda vetting
Students will be requested to participate in Garda Vetting procedures in relation to programme and accreditation requirements.
IT Skills: students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.
Application Details
Apply online
START DATE: 5th October 2024 (Orientation), Lectures Commence 12th October 2024
Fees
Year 1: €4,990* (Includes all academic and administration costs and charges)
Year 2: €4,450
Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma Prices available upon request.
*Please note that there is an additional charge of €20 for the Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry and it is not included in the above fees.
Payment Plan available.
Additional Course Costs
Course fees do not cover costs associated with additional course requirements (personal therapy and supervision). Fees for supervision and personal therapy are decided by negotiation between you and your supervisor and therapist. The average cost of supervision is approximately €60. Personal therapy may also average about €60 per session.
Year 2: €4,450
Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma Prices available upon request.
*Please note that there is an additional charge of €20 for the Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry and it is not included in the above fees.
Payment Plan available.
Additional Course Costs
Course fees do not cover costs associated with additional course requirements (personal therapy and supervision). Fees for supervision and personal therapy are decided by negotiation between you and your supervisor and therapist. The average cost of supervision is approximately €60. Personal therapy may also average about €60 per session.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
On successful completion of this programme, graduates decide on the course of action most appropriate to their needs and ambitions. The programme aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge to build a successful career within this Addiction Counselling specialism. Graduates from this programme have a wide variety of career avenues to choose from. PCI College offer student support and guidance in exploring their career options through the provision of an additional career focused workshop.
he following avenues are open to them:
Avenue 1
Graduates may choose to continue working in employment settings where Talk Therapy skills related to Addiction are essential if they are to serve their clients in a more truly comprehensive way.
Avenue 2
Graduates may gain employment in the Public Sector, Government-funded agencies and other organisations that promote and facilitate addiction recovery, for example, HSE settings, Residential Treatment Centres, Addiction and Recovery Services, Social Care settings, etc.
Avenue 3
Graduates will obtain skills transferable to managerial positions in addiction, health and community services.
Avenue 4
Graduates may increase their existing private practice services as counsellors/therapists who specialise in addiction.
Avenue 5
Graduates may market themselves as having specialist skills in working specifically with behavioural addiction, motivational interviewing, the family in addiction and dual diagnosis.
Avenue 6
Graduates may pursue accreditation status with Addiction Counsellors Ireland (ACI) or other accredited organisations.
Avenue 7
A number of graduates choose to use their learning from this programme as a stepping-stone to further study in addiction, counselling or the social sciences, for example doctoral studies.
he following avenues are open to them:
Avenue 1
Graduates may choose to continue working in employment settings where Talk Therapy skills related to Addiction are essential if they are to serve their clients in a more truly comprehensive way.
Avenue 2
Graduates may gain employment in the Public Sector, Government-funded agencies and other organisations that promote and facilitate addiction recovery, for example, HSE settings, Residential Treatment Centres, Addiction and Recovery Services, Social Care settings, etc.
Avenue 3
Graduates will obtain skills transferable to managerial positions in addiction, health and community services.
Avenue 4
Graduates may increase their existing private practice services as counsellors/therapists who specialise in addiction.
Avenue 5
Graduates may market themselves as having specialist skills in working specifically with behavioural addiction, motivational interviewing, the family in addiction and dual diagnosis.
Avenue 6
Graduates may pursue accreditation status with Addiction Counsellors Ireland (ACI) or other accredited organisations.
Avenue 7
A number of graduates choose to use their learning from this programme as a stepping-stone to further study in addiction, counselling or the social sciences, for example doctoral studies.
Duration
Two years (24 months) part-time.
Weekends - Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5.30 pm (approx. 1 weekend per month from October to June)
Weekends - Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5.30 pm (approx. 1 weekend per month from October to June)