Counselling & Psychotherapy

This course is designed to provide comprehensive training within the field of counselling and psychotherapy.

Eligibility: 1. Applicants should possess a maturity to reflect on their own development as a person. 2. Applicants need to have successfully completed: Certificate Course in Counselling & Psychotherapy (or similar) of 60+ hours. OR Equivalent level 7+ (NFQ) course in for e.g., Psychology, Social Care/Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing or any discipline related to the field of counselling. OR Show evidence of personal development /substantial life experience (for e.g., proof of volunteer work, community work, experience of counselling and/or portfolio of prior learning). Entry is by the application form and interview. Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course. Our Student Portal includes a suite of academic writing tools, including webinars, in order to support and assist with the practicalities of written work. Access to these is free and highly recommended. Students are assigned a Student Development & Progression Officer on their programme and with whom they will meet during the academic year to discuss progression and engagement in a supportive capacity. In years 3 & 4 as degree students become more independent learners; tutorials, seminars, and career development sessions will be provided. Students can expect to be provided with guidance and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed disability or learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application and can be discussed further at the interview, without prejudice. This is to ensure the correct supports can be provided where possible. 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. Year 2 Entry - Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): If you have already completed Year 1 of an equivalent validated and accredited counselling and psychotherapy programme, you may be eligible for entry to the 2nd year of a given programme. Not all Counselling and Psychotherapy programmes cover the same syllabus in the first year, nor do they always have the same credit weightings attached, so it will not always be possible to grant Year 2 entry. The decision to grant RPL is an academic judgement and will only be considered in circumstances where it does not negatively impact the overall learning experience for the learner or the cohesion of the programme. Recognition of prior learning criteria is aligned with the U.K. Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and NFQ and its award system. Policies and procedures associated with the recognition of prior learning are aligned with those of Middlesex University as our validating body. RPL may be sought for admission to a programme, advanced entry to a programme, or for exemptions from a part of a programme. Exemptions are not granted for individual modules. Approved Prior Certified Learning is applicable to our BSc programme with uncertified/experiential learning applicable only to our MSc programmes. Policies and procedures associated with the recognition of prior learning are aligned with those of Middlesex University as our validating body. Decisions to grant access through RPL (or otherwise) represent an academic judgment based on available evidence supplied by the applicant. The following guidelines apply in all instances: Candidates, at application, are asked to supply evidence of certified learning which include: - Official transcripts of the learning for which are seeking recognition. - Certificates where applicable i.e. BSc upgrade programme. - Course Comparison Form where you will supply details of the Learning Outcomes and Assessments you have already achieved. These Learning Outcomes are matched and appraised by a suitably qualified senior member of the academic team. - Programme Handbook or Syllabus of programme you are seeking RPL for. The applicant must indicate in detail the relevant prior learning, and the types and nature of experiences in the case of uncertified learning they believe to have equivalence and will be assessed on learning acquired from experience as opposed to the experience itself. Decisions to grant access through RPL (or otherwise) represent an academic judgment based on available evidence and are made on a case-by-case basis.