MSc in Guidance Counselling
The M.Sc. in Guidance Counselling is a two year part-time programme recognised by the DES and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) for professional practice as a guidance counsellor. The programme offers initial education and training in the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for practice in the interrelated areas of personal, education and career guidance counselling. A key element of the programme is the strong emphasis on reflective practice and personal growth facilitated by personal counselling, placement practice experience and professional supervision to support and enable personal and professional development.
Students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including the primary, secondary, further education and tertiary sectors, youth and community work, adult education, employee welfare, state agencies, business, industry, health and Human Resources.
This programme is also recognised by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) as a qualification to work as a guidance counsellor in a second level school.
Please note the DES also require employees to hold:
A primary degree with subjects recognised for teaching in second level schools (please check www.teachingcouncil.ie) and
A recognised teaching qualification.
Students are selected on the basis of:
Academic achievement or accredited prior learning.
Professional experience (three years' full or part time experience in a field broadly related to guidance is desirable).
Capacity to demonstrate at interview a vision and understanding of the role of the guidance counsellor, potential as a guidance counsellor to work with clients in response to their personal, educational and career needs and a willingness to commit to the demands of the programme.
To view subjects taught on the MSc in Guidance Counselling please click here
I was working in an Adult Guidance Service when I decided to change career direction a number of years ago and hence I embarked upon DCU's M.Sc. in Guidance and Counselling programme. It had been a number of years since I had studied at this level and I found that the blend of the practical and academic was perfect for my learning experience. The emphasis on reflective practice and the lifelong perspective of the programme has been of great benefit to me professionally. Since completing this qualification my career has gone from strength to strength and this is due in no small part to the quality and breadth of teaching and learning offered by this programme.
The overall aim of this programme is to provide students with a standard of excellence in the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary for practice in the field of personal, education and career guidance and counselling;
You will be educated and trained to develop a systematic and coherent framework for practice within your organisation;
Through strong reflective practice, you are encouraged and supported to develop responsibility for personal and professional development, and learn how to identify and mobilise resources across a network of external agencies and the wider community.
View the current course structure
Students come from a broad range of professional backgrounds which enhances the shared practice and experience of learners.
Our innovative and learner-centred approaches enable the guidance community to respond to the many challenges and opportunities now facing the profession.
It encourages personal development and professional practice competence through group supervision.
It develops transferable skills in the application of new technology to the field of guidance and counselling.
You can engage in supervised research in an area of guidance and counselling which is of personal and professional interest.
Life on Campus
We have three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
DCU student facilities boast a fully equipped sports complex with a 25-metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
Our purpose built, state-of-the-art new student centre known as 'The U' serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500. It is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice.
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year.
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules.
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
I was working in an Adult Guidance Service when I decided to change career direction a number of years ago and hence I embarked upon DCU's M.Sc. in Guidance and Counselling programme. It had been a number of years since I had studied at this level and I found that the blend of the practical and academic was perfect for my learning experience. The emphasis on reflective practice and the lifelong perspective of the programme has been of great benefit to me professionally. Since completing this qualification my career has gone from strength to strength and this is due in no small part to the quality and breadth of teaching and learning offered by this programme.
The programme is designed to support participants wishing to engage in initial education and training as guidance counsellors and to enhance the in-career development of existing practitioners. Graduates are currently employed in various settings such as second level schools, adult guidance (including employment by ETBs), youth and community work, third level career services, employee welfare, industry, health sector, rehabilitation services, and private practice.
Requirements
Requirements
Applicants are required to hold a Primary Honours (Level 8) degree, plus three years relevant work experience.
OR
Equivalent professional qualification with three years relevant experience.
All applicants who are deemed to meet the minimum academic qualifications will be required to attend for interview.
Applicants will not be considered for interview unless all aspects of the application process are fully completed.
Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme. For further information, please contact the Programme Chair using the contact details above.
International Applications
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language, they must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here
Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.