Program Overview

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MA in Addiction Counselling

Overview

The MA in Addiction Counselling is a two-year part-time programme designed for practitioners who hold a Level 8 degree in health or human science areas and who wish to specialise in Addiction Counselling. The primary focus of this programme is working with individuals and groups, as well as at community and policy levels, as leaders in their field.

Course Details

Professional Placement:

All students will undertake work-based learning as part of the programme – comprising 120 hours of direct client work (10 ECTS) in an approved placement setting.

Knowing Self:

Students are required to engage in a minimum of 50 hours of Personal Therapy or equivalent through this module. These hours may include certified participation in a therapeutic group process to a maximum of 50% of the total requirement.

Module Outline

Understanding Addiction

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the conceptual understanding of addiction as well as the personal, familial and societal implications of addiction.

Research Methodologies & Design

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the differing approaches and methods used for the generation of evidence.

Skills & Competencies in Addiction Counselling

The aim of this module is to support learners to acquire the attributes and skills necessary to work with clients using addiction counselling skills & competencies.

Contemporary Evidence Based Interventions in Addiction Recovery

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the conceptual understanding of evidence informed approaches with particular reference to cognitive behavioural approaches as well as the use of motivational Interviewing in addiction and addiction treatment.

Community Reinforcement Approach & Family aspects in Addiction

The module aims to facilitate students to critically evaluate both Family aspects of addiction and the distinctive philosophical ethos of the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) as a treatment intervention in addiction contexts.

Knowing Self

The module will focus on the development of in-depth ‘personal’ knowledge through structured forms of psychotherapeutic engagement.

Comorbidity & Trauma Informed Care

The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate the concept of co-morbidity and the influence of trauma on the lived experience of addiction.

Professional Practice

This module aims to support learners in acquiring the skills, knowledge, and attitude to work within applied settings at a higher-order level using a defined structure to enhance ongoing performance.

Timetables

This course is delivered part-time over two years. Lectures are delivered one evening a week from 6pm to 9pm and over approximately eight Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30pm during the academic year (Sept-May).

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

• This programme is designed for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of counselling-related programmes as well as, nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition.
• The knowledge, skills and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 Programme. Applicants will normally have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Human Science Level 8 degree.
• Those who have completed other relevant education programmes or have relevant professional experience, etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification, and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard can also be considered.
• All applicants undertake a selection interview to support applicants to make an informed decision regarding their choice of programme and to ensure suitability.
• Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.
• The minimum English language proficiency requirement for this programme is B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.

Fees

This programme is offered on a part-time basis only over 2 years, and there are options around the payment of tuition fees with payment plans available to learners.

Tuition Fees

• Irish/EU citizens, living In Ireland
  • Dublin Main Campus: €8200.00
  • Limerick Campus: €8200.00
• This includes a 2% PEL levy.
• An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted.

Progression

On successful completion of the MA in Addiction Counselling, learners will be qualified to access Level 10 Programmes on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

Career Options

• Private Practice
• HSE
• Addiction Treatment Centres
• Pieta House
• Mental health Services
• Aiseiri
• My Move Counselling Services
• Tusla
• Social Care