Eligibility:
1. Applicants should possess a maturity to reflect on their own development as a person.
2. Applicants need to have successfully completed a:

Certificate Course in Counselling & Psychotherapy  (or similar)
OR
Equivalent:
· Work/Volunteer training with a substantial counselling element.*
· Level 7+ (NFQ) course in Psychology, Social Care/Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing or Equivalent.*

3.Entry is by application form and interview

*Entry onto the BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy may require catch-up work to be completed. This is based on assessment of your prior learning, which will be discussed at Interview.


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.

Students will meet with a Core Tutor, who will be a core lecturer on their programme, twice a year to discuss progression and engagement in a supportive capacity. In years 3 & 4 as degree students become more independent learners; tutorials, seminar, and career development sessions will be provided.

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.

Syllabus:

YEAR 1

• Humanistic & Existential Approaches: Relational Perspectives in Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Humanistic Therapeutic Skills
• Personal Development & the Student Counsellor: An Exploration of Self

YEAR 2

• Psychotherapy & Science: Psychology, Psychiatry & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Case Management & Therapeutic Skills in Professional Practice
• Universal Issues in Counselling & Psychotherapy: The Relational Self
• Group Supervision

YEAR 3

• Psychodynamic Approaches: The Role of the Unconscious in Psychotherapy
• Research Project
• Personal & Professional Integration
• Group Supervision

Additional Course Requirements:

• Four one day continuing professional development workshops totalling 24 hours
• 50 hours of personal therapy during the first three years of the course*
• 100 hours of work with clients beginning at the second year of the course*
• 20 sessions with a qualified supervisor to review your client work

Students must also register with the IACP as a Student Member. You can see further details here on the IACP website.

*Therapist must be accredited by the IACP, IAHIP, ACI or BACP.

LEADING TO THE AWARD OF:
PCI COLLEGE DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY
(Accredited by the IACP and NAPCP)

YEAR 4
One Optional Module from:

• Advanced Humanistic Psychotherapy
• Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

and:

• Case Study
• Proposition Essay

LEADING TO THE AWARD OF: MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY
BSc (HONS) IN COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY

Fees: 

PCI College tuition fees for the BSc (Hons) degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy commencing in September 2017 are as follows:
 

       Year 1:   €4,220* (plus Middlesex University Registration Fee €1,100)
       Year 2:   €4,200
       Year 3:   €4,200
       Year 4:   €2,950

This course is eligible for tax relief on tuition fees.

*Please note that fees include a €20 charge for Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry. 

Pay your fees in monthly instalments, through the Monthly Payment Plan. Please note that this plan will operate by Direct Debit only and incurs an Administration Fee of €80.00.

(Year 1 Tuition Fees €4200.00 + Middlesex Registration Fee of €1100.00 + €80.00 Admin Fee + €20 Garda Vetting Fee = €5400.00)

Additional Course Costs

Course fees do not cover costs associated with Additional Course Requirements; Personal Therapy & Supervision.

Fees for Supervision and Personal Therapy are decided by negotiation between you and your Supervisor and Therapist. The average cost for supervision is approximately €60. Personal therapy may also average about €60 per session.

Application Process

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 14 days of receipt of their application. Should an application be unsuccessful, or if the application is cancelled by the applicant following this 14 day period, an administration fee of €60 is charged and the balance of €190 refunded. Please note that the name used on your application needs to be the same name that you have on your passport.

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 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 Training Staff, please click here.

Career Path:
Counselling is a fulfilling career and can change your life as well as others. People who become counsellors are genuinely interested in human behaviour and have a strong desire to help others improve their mental well-being. They are also skilled at interacting with people on a personal level, while maintaining a professional relationship.

Today more than ever there is a massive need for trained 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 Counselling & Psychotherapy 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.

Accreditation

The IACP provides standards of practice, professional identification, education/training and regulation for the counselling and psychotherapy profession in Ireland. The PCI College professional counsellor/psychotherapist training programme, the Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy (awarded in Year 3 of the Degree Programme) is fully accredited by the IACP in all PCI College venues. However, it must be noted that a there must be a minimum of 12 students for the class to be accredited. If the class is below 12 - the courses still meets the accrediation criteria of the IACP and all students are still eligible to apply for accrediation, once they complete the PCI College Diploma.

Full details on IACP Accreditation can be found here.

Currently, you need to study to Diploma level to become a Professional Counsellor. However, in their recent Position Paper, the IACP stated that Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or equivalent should serve as the baseline academic qualification for both Counselling and Psychotherapy. PCI College have been providing their BSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy since 1997. It is validated by Middlesex University and  recognised both nationally and internationally. It is Level 6 FHEQ (Comparable to Level 8 NFQ)

The course is also accredited by the National Association for Pastoral Counselling & Psychotherapy (NAPCP). The NAPCP represents and sets professional standards for Pastoral Counsellors & Psychotherapists on the whole island of Ireland. NAPCP certifies counsellors & psychotherapists, accredits pastoral counselling centres, and approves training programs. See more details here on NAPCP.

Professional accreditation is an important requirement for those wishing to practice as professional therapists in Ireland. In the absence of Government regulation of the profession, accreditation bodies such as the IACP provide standards of practice which give reassurance on training quality and ethical conduct to individuals and organisations seeking professional counselling services. While government regulation is planned and the process to structure regulation has begun, it may yet take some time before this is completed and implemented.  In the meantime, the IACP, NAPCP and other recognised accreditation bodies will continue to set and monitor the standards of best practice and professional training for therapists in Ireland.

Validation

Our university validated programmes are developed, delivered and assessed by PCI College and awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University.  A qualification from Middlesex University London is internationally recognised both within the EU and outside the EU. Brexit negotiations will have no impact on these facts.

Can I get accredited with the IACP after completing this course?
Yes, the course is fully accredited by the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP) and the National Association for Pastoral Counselling & Psychotherapy (NAPC) so you can start working towards accreditation once your Diploma has been awarded. You can see full details of accreditation below.

Why is accreditation important for counsellors & psychotherapists?
Counselling in Ireland is not yet a government regulated profession and currently, the profession determines its own standards for professional practice, including education and training. These standards provide assurances of quality and ethical behaviour for the HSE, State-Bodies, Charities, GP’s and other healthcare professionals who are referring patients, and for clients themselves seeking counselling services. For those planning to work as counsellors & psychotherapists, either in private practice or with organisations and services providing counselling, professional accreditation is an externally validated benchmark of quality.  Most healthcare professionals will look for a therapist to have recognised accreditation when referring patients/clients and frequently clients will seek out counsellors who adhere to these recognised standards. It can be difficult for counsellors to get client referrals without recognised accreditation.

In Ireland there are a number of regulatory, or accrediting bodies which set and monitor these professional standards. The largest of these is the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP) and other well-established bodies include the National Association for Pastoral Counselling & Psychotherapy (NAPCP) and the Irish Association of Integrative and Humanistic Psychotherapy (IAHIP).  If you are researching accreditation, it is worth enquiring with GP’s and healthcare professionals in your area about the accreditation they seek for referrals. Make sure that you do not align yourself with a professional body that is not well-regarded within the field. It can be very disappointing for students half way through their studies when they realise they cannot get accreditation with a recognised professional body such as the IACP. 

Read more about accreditation and regulation here in PCI College former President Eoin Stephens recent blog.

What’s the deadline for Degree course applications?
There is no deadline.  The course is filled on a first come, first served basis and many venues fill up quickly.  The first round of interviews are held in March each year and run right throughout the summer.  Degree courses commence once a year in September. Those that are successful at interview are offered their first choice of time and location if available.  We recommend that you send in your application as soon as possible otherwise you may not get your first choice.

How many are in a class?
We keep classes small in year 1 and year 2 (maximum 18 students).  We aim to provide students with experiences and opportunities which will enable them to develop their potential in a supportive, stimulating and challenging environment, where ideas are discussed freely and where there is a sense of sharing in a continuing process of self-discovery.

Is the course taught online, or are there any online elements?
No, the BSc (Hons) degree course is taught in classroom only.  We believe passionately in experiential learning, which combines theory and practice.  We also believe that personal development plays a significant role in training for counsellors & psychotherapists. These are best experienced in a classroom, with small classes and qualified, practitioner lectures who can share their experiences. We do however have an online Student Portal where students can find lecture notes, announcements and access to an online library with journals and other useful study resources.  There is also a student forum to link up students from all of our nationwide venues.

Do the College help students source the 100 hours Counselling Practice?
Yes, we have a Clinical Placement Officer who helps students find placements within organisations that we have relationships with. We also offer a Low Cost Counselling service from the college, PCI Counselling Service, which is designed to assist students to complete their necessary client work and because we believe that lack of funds should not be a barrier for people who need counselling

Are there any exams?
No, the course is all continuous assessment – assignments and in-class assessments.

I have been out of education for a while; I am concerned about the assignments?
We have an essay writing workshop at the start of each year to outline how to write and reference assignments properly and outline the standard expected each year.

What is the timetable for my chosen venue?

We publish a full provisional timetable on the website from April onwards and you will get a  very good indication of all class dates etc. Before the academic year begins, at at your BSc degree Orientation, you will receive a full timetable for the academic year.  If you choose a weekday class, your classes will take place every week on the day; if you choose a weekend class, your classes will take place every second weekend on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Each year, the BSc degree course ends with a four-day summer school (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and the dates for this will be included in your timetable at the start of the year.  Group supervision usually takes place on a Sunday and you will be notified of these dates as early as possible in your academic year. Occassionally, you may be asked to attend other course meetings with your Core Tutor on other days of the week; we will always strive to give you as much notice as possible for meetings and to accomodate student schedules.

I am not sure if counselling and this course is right for me. Where can I find more information?
PCI College has been providing education and training in counselling & psychotherapy for almost 25 years. We have trained hundreds of therapists over the years, and all are different people, bringing different backgrounds, viewpoints and experience to the profession. Read some of our recent student testimonials here or longer graduate profile articles here. You can also read 7 Reasons to Choose PCI College here and we would be delighted to speak to you in person about any queries you have. Call David or Adam at 01-4642268 or email enquiries@pcicollege.ie with your questions.

We also run Taster Days Nationwide so make sure to send us your details so we can keep in touch.

Are the fees tax deductible?
Yes

Is there a Payment Scheme?
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.

Can I get funding for the course?
Some students can avail of funding support for the course, including from employers, state funding schemes etc. We advise that you contact your local Citizens Information office to find out what funding you may be eligible for, based on your own personal circumstances.

What level on the NFQ is the course?
The BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy is awarded by Middlesex University and is therefore on the UK National Framework. It is Level 6 FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) - comparable to Level 8 on the NFQ. For comparibility on various awards, please see here www.naric.ie

Is the BSc programme validated by QQI (HETAC)?  
No, as the BSc Programme is a University Degree validated by Middlesex University; it does not need to be validated with QQI/HETAC. QQI accreditation is specifically for courses in Ireland that fall outside the University This programme was developed and is delivered and assessed by PCI College, awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University. FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) is the UK National Framework of Qualifications.structure. Confusion sometimes arises as QQI has a dual role in the area of counselling & psychotherapy at the moment, in that it recently set overall academic standards for the profession at the Government’s request and it also gives academic validation to some counselling & psychotherapy training programmes that are not University validated.  

Does the PCI College BSc meet the academic standards set for counselling & psychotherapy, set by QQI on behalf of the Government?
Yes, PCI College keeps up to date with all recommended standards of education and training for the profession and will continue to do so into the future.  It is important to note that QQI believe that educational standards must be matched by professional standards “For regulated professions in Ireland it is typical for educational (academic) standards and professional standards to be distinct. In essence meeting the educational standards entitles a person to an educational qualification but entitlement to practise requires a person to meet (and continue to meet) a distinct professional standard. An approved (accredited) qualification is necessary but insufficient for professional practice … The draft awards standards are educational (and training) standards and they are not designed to regulate the profession and are (alone) not fit for that purpose.” This means that it is vital that you choose a Counselling/Psychotherapy Degree course that is both academically validated (e.g. Middlesex University) and Professionally Accredited by a well-known reputable body (e.g. IACP).

When will Government regulation come in for counselling & psychotherapy?
The Government has stated their intention to regulate counselling & psychotherapy profession in the future, along with a number of other professions (such as physiotherapy, psychology etc.). It is difficult to say however, how long this process may take.  CORU (the Health & Social Care Professionals Council) has been set up for this purpose and to date, it has regulated five professions (Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Radiographers and Radiation Therapists, Social Workers, Speech and Language Therapists). According to CORU “Registers {i.e. Regulation} for the other professions will follow, on a phased basis, between 2015 and 2017.”  Counselling & Psychotherapy will be dealt with during this latter phase. It is expected that the minimum standard of education required under any new regulatory system will be a Level 8 (NFQ) Honours degree or equivalent.  IACP has also supported this standard and you can read more about this question in former PCI College President Eoin Stephens’ article here.

What job opportunities are there for counsellors/psychotherapists?
The field of counselling & psychotherapy is very broad and allows you to set your own flexible career path -whether you want to work part-time or full-time, in private practice or for an agency or indeed as many counsellors do – a mixture of both.  Our graduates are working in diverse fields such as the HSE, schools, addiction centres, state-bodies,charities, the IACP, private practice, personal development and lecturing. Indeed some have pursued their own area of interest by providing a new service in their community like John Evoy from Mens Sheds.   Others have used their training to further themselves in their original career such as teachers, Gardaí, Social Workers, Social Care and Psychologists. The skills that you learn on a Counselling/Psychotherapy course are very transferable and sought-after.