BSc (Hons) in Addiction Counselling Upgrade Programme

Eligibility:

• Applicants should possess a maturity to reflect on their own development as a person.
• Relevant experience is an advantage but not essential.
• Entry is by application form and interview.

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 application.

Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course. Workshops including essay skills will be provided to assist with the practicalities of written work. These workshops are currently provided free and attendance is mandatory.
In years 3 & 4 as degree students become more independent learners, tutorials, seminar, and career development sessions will be provided.

Syllabus:

YEAR 1 & 2 Catch-Up Modules
Upgrade students enter the degree programme in year three and receive a general exemption from year one and year two modules. Catch-Up Modules may be required based on the Course Comparison Form on page 5 of the application form.

Please note that Students with a General Counselling Diploma must complete the addiction module from Year 1 (Addiction: Theories and Approaches). This module is run in Dublin West only on a Weekend basis.

YEAR 3

• Family / Systemic Counselling: Theory & Skills
• Clinical Placement – Part 2
• Research Methods
• Personal & Professional Development

YEAR 4

• Clinical Placement - Case Study
• Proposition Essay Plus one or two other modules from:
• Drug Abuse in Ireland
• Sexual Addictions
• Dual Diagnosis

Additional Course Requirements:

• At least 400 hours of work with clients (including hours completed for Diploma)
• Attend 100 sessions with a qualified supervisor to review your client work (including hours completed for Diploma)
• 100 hours of personal therapy (including hours completed for Diploma)

AWARD: MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY BSC (HONS)
IN ADDICTION COUNSELLING
Professional Qualification Recognised by the IAAAC
(Irish Association of Alcohol & Addiction Counsellors)

 

Fees: 

PCI College tuition fees for courses commencing in October 2012 are as follows:
Year 3 €4250 (including MU registration fee)
Year 4 €3300

This course is eligible for tax relief on tuition fees.

In order to facilitate students, PCI College has introduced a monthly Direct Debit Plan. Please note that there is an extra charge of €80 for this option.

Year 3 Breakdown:

Payment	Payment Due Date	Amount
Deposit	Due with Application	€ 250.00
Acceptance Fee	On acceptance of place	€ 1000.00
Initial Payment + admin fee	3rd October 2012	€ 1580.00
Second Payment	5th November 2012	€ 300.00
Third Payment	3rd of December 2012	€ 300.00
Fourth Payment	7th of January 2013	€ 300.00
Fifth Payment	4th February 2013	€ 300.00
Sixth Payment	4th of March 2013	€ 300.00

Application Procedure

Applicants should complete the online application form including the Initial Deposit of €250, which is deductible from course fees if the application is successful. Applicants are entitled to a full refund of the Initial Deposit if they decide to cancel within 7 days of receipt of their application. Should an application be unsuccessful, or if the application is cancelled by the applicant following this 7 day period, an administration fee of €60 is charged and the balance of €190 refunded.

Applicants will be requested to provide the following additional items with application:

1. Copy of Core Course Prospectus / Core Course Outline
2. Transcript of Results of all my assessments / examinations
3. Copy of all relevant qualifications
4. Completed Course Comparison Form
5. Letter from counsellor to verify 50 hours of personal therapy
6. Letter from supervisor to verify 100 hours of client work

Intake interviews will be arranged for suitable applicants. Applicants who are offered a place will be required to confirm acceptance in writing accompanied by a Booking Deposit of €1,000. When an Applicant has accepted a place all tuition fees, including deposits, shall be fully non-refundable in all personal circumstances.

Lecturers: 

All PCI College Lecturers are highly qualified, experienced individuals who hold a minimum of a Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy or a Diploma in Addiction Counselling and are practising Counsellors accredited with the IACP. Many hold MSc.s in specialist fields. 

Students are supported through the degree programmes by our Core Tutors, making this a truly unique adult education experience.

Since our foundation we have taken the steps necessary to ensure the delivery of a quality service in an environment that is characterised by an attitude to adult learners that is supportive and encouraging. We aim to provide an experience of learning that will develop in students a hunger for reflective and critical analysis.

Our learning programmes are designed to be participative, experiential and to draw whenever possible on prior lived experience. The academic value of programmes is enhanced by a learning environment that is warm, transparent, and genuine. Learners and staff interact in a mutual effort to engage in and promote the concept of lifelong learning.

Our Core Tutors take a holistic view of the student. They provide support through one-to-one and group sessions for students facing academic and non-academic problems. In co-operation with our lecturers, and other college departments, they monitor student participation in professional degree programmes including academic assignments, clinical work, and personal development.

For a full list of our Core Faculty click here.

Career Path:

Addiction Counselling is a fulfilling career and can change your life as well as others. Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors are specifically trained to relate to and treat people who are concerned about their use of alcohol, other mood altering drugs, whether street drugs or prescription medication and other addictive behaviours like gambling, food, sex, internet, shopping and others. 

Addiction Counsellors work to alleviate personal suffering and encourage change.
Once you have completed our Degree in Addiction Counselling, you have completed the training requirements for accreditation with the IAAAC. For full information on becoming accredited with the IAAAC, please click here. 

The Irish Association for Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors (IAAAC) is an organisation that promotes the highest standards in Addiction counselling. IAAAC accredit those applicant counsellors who have qualified by completing the required academic third level degree and have subsequently gained the required work practice in addiction therapy. Established since 1990, their database shows almost one thousand memberships. 

Today more than ever there is a massive need for trained addiction counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland. Indeed there is increased acknowledgement of the growing need for Counsellors within the HSE, Community Primary Care Groups, Schools and the Private Sector. Our BSc (Hons) in Addiction Counselling ensures that you have equipped yourself with the necessary qualification and training to be recognised and effective. Once you have completed your professional training, there are many routes open to you; You may wish to set up a Private Practice, join an agency or work for an organisation such as the HSE, a School, a Charity or a State-Body. 

If you would like to continue your education, PCI College now offer a Masters in Integrative Counselling.

Can I get accredited with the IAAAC after completing this course?
Yes, our BSc (Hons) in Addiction Counselling is now the only course recognised by the IAAAC.

Can I get exemptions for third and fourth year modules?
No Middlesex University do not allow any exemptions in Year 3 or 4.

Has the BSc qualification been put on the National Framework of Qualifications?
Yes it is placed at level 8 on the National Framework

Does the BSc programme allow you access to progress your qualification to another level e.g. Masters or Doctorate?
Yes