[firefight7]

Originally Posted by sunflower27

Err, because it is my money and my choice. I looked into other courses and far preferred the curriculum of the course I have chosen. It really is as simple as that.

Of course its your money and your choice. No dispute about that. But you have chosen to enter a discussion on ATI on a publicly accessible site and I asked you a legitimate question. Which I also am grateful to you for answering.

I have heard that most of the other courses have more stringent entry requirements also. Is it true that you can start the ATI degree course without having completed any prior study?

Is this course accredited by the IAAAC or IACP as many other courses are?

Fair questions which I can't seem to get answers for!

[firefight7]

Errm....sorry just checked IACP website http://www.irish-counselling.ie/Prof...aining-Courses

This course is not accredited by IACP on their list.

Cost of ATI degree programme per annum €4650!!!!!

Wow!

[sunflower27]

I am aware of how much it costs When I looked at PCI college last year, they were charging the same although has been reduced this year to 4K

I am also aware that PCI college charge an additional 1.5K to do a three-month personal development course and also charge for interviews (whether you are accepted or not). More stringent or a money spinner, you decide?

Completing a course accredited by the IACP is only part of the process. In addition to meeting course educational standards (which ATI does), I have to do my own personal therapy AND 100 hours client work.

If you look at the IACP site it sets out the lengthy process it takes for a course to be accredited. As said previously, ATI are in that process now. They will certainly be through it by the time I graduate, which is several years away.

I have two friends doing the PCI course and both have openly said they prefer my curriculum - and I totally agree.

A course that is accredited is not on easy street, they are constantly reviewed so a course that is accredited now may not always be.

Perhaps you could ring the IACP to explain things to you further, firefight7. I contacted them before signing up to ATI. They will explain the process to you better than I can.

[firefight7]

Originally Posted by sunflower27

I am aware of how much it costs When I looked at PCI college last year, they were charging the same although has been reduced this year to 4K

I am also aware that PCI college charge an additional 1.5K to do a three-month personal development course and also charge for interviews (whether you are accepted or not). More stringent or a money spinner, you decide?

Completing a course accredited by the IACP is only part of the process. In addition to meeting course educational standards (which ATI does), I have to do my own personal therapy AND 100 hours client work.

If you look at the IACP site it sets out the lengthy process it takes for a course to be accredited. As said previously, ATI are in that process now. They will certainly be through it by the time I graduate, which is several years away.

I have two friends doing the PCI course and both have openly said they prefer my curriculum - and I totally agree.

A course that is accredited is not on easy street, they are constantly reviewed so a course that is accredited now may not always be.

Perhaps you could ring the IACP to explain things to you further, firefight7. I contacted them before signing up to ATI. They will explain the process to you better than I can.

Have you looked at how many other courses are on the IACP approved list? There is more than just PCI. Alot of them have been approved by reputable Irish Institutions. PCI's course is approved by IACP. It is a bonus for you that you preferred the look and feel of your curriculum however. This is important if you have spent a lot of money.

We would hope that that a very reputable University like Glendwyr is just as rigorous as the Irish Institutions. I am sure that their reputation in Ireland is very important to them.

Is it true that you don't need to have done any prior 3rd level or other study to gain entry to ATI degree courses? Still not clear on this.

The fact still remains that HETAC pulled the plug on ATI in Athlone because they were not happy with the way things were being run.

I genuinely cannot understand how you can be so certain that the ATI courses will be vetted by IACP when the course has not yet been vetted. This implies you already know the outcome of the process?!?

I am sure that it is important for you to believe that you have made the right choice.

Even spending extra money sometimes can be a good thing!!!

[sunflower27]

Originally Posted by firefight7

Have you looked at how many other courses are on the IACP approved list? There is more than just PCI. Alot of them have been approved by reputable Irish Institutions. PCI's course is approved by IACP. It is a bonus for you that you preferred the look and feel of your curriculum however. This is important if you have spent a lot of money.

We would hope that that a very reputable University like Glendwyr is just as rigorous as the Irish Institutions. I am sure that their reputation in Ireland is very important to them.

Is it true that you don't need to have done any prior 3rd level or other study to gain entry to ATI degree courses? Still not clear on this.

The fact still remains that HETAC pulled the plug on ATI in Athlone because they were not happy with the way things were being run.

I genuinely cannot understand how you can be so certain that the ATI courses will be vetted by IACP when the course has not yet been vetted. This implies you already know the outcome of the process?!?

I am sure that it is important for you to believe that you have made the right choice.

Even spending extra money sometimes can be a good thing!!!

As stated already, the course is being vetted, as I am sure others are, and it is a lengthy process. I have already completed a degree so this is my second college degree I am working on. I did not need to do a 3-month foundation course on personal growth to do this one. I know that PCI expect you to complete a course on personal growth. I have friends that have done it and said it is a very basic foundation course in the basics of counselling - and is later covered in the degree programme. Hope that answers your question.

You seem to think the vetting procedure is beyond offering the correct amount of hours, covering core components and being lectured by qualified lecturers? As stated, this is an educational component and only one part of the process for accreditation for students. Any student that completes a course but does not fulfil other criteria (personal placement and personal therapy) will not be accredited.

As stated already, I am more than happy with my decision and loving my curriculum. I am aware there are other colleges that run counselling and psychotherapy degrees. Obviously there are, but myself and my colleagues all made the choice to go with who we have.

Do ring the IACP. You seem to have a lot of interest in ATI not being accredited and the IACP will have the time to explain the procedure to you in full. I have assignments and presentations to work on that will not do themselves, so am off and won't be back to this thread that seems to be going around in circles now

[firefight7]

Originally Posted by sunflower27

As stated already, the course is being vetted, as I am sure others are, and it is a lengthy process. I have already completed a degree so this is my second college degree I am working on. I did not need to do a 3-month foundation course on personal growth to do this one. I know that PCI expect you to complete a course on personal growth. I have friends that have done it and said it is a very basic foundation course in the basics of counselling - and is later covered in the degree programme. Hope that answers your question.

You seem to think the vetting procedure is beyond offering the correct amount of hours, covering core components and being lectured by qualified lecturers? As stated, this is an educational component and only one part of the process for accreditation for students. Any student that completes a course but does not fulfil other criteria (personal placement and personal therapy) will not be accredited.

As stated already, I am more than happy with my decision and loving my curriculum. I am aware there are other colleges that run counselling and psychotherapy degrees. Obviously there are, but myself and my colleagues all made the choice to go with who we have.

Do ring the IACP. You seem to have a lot of interest in ATI not being accredited and the IACP will have the time to explain the procedure to you in full. I have assignments and presentations to work on that will not do themselves, so am off and won't be back to this thread that seems to be going around in circles now

I agree we are going around in circles. This is a public forum and my objective to help others make an informed decision based on facts not supposition or opinion about the courses they choose. I am not the only one on this forum and on others who has an interest in that it appears. Lots of people have an interest in this for good reason.

PCI are not the only college providing courses. IACP recognition is very important as it denotes a quality standard and means it facilitates people becoming recognised counselors. When spending almost €5k this is an important consideration. No?

"You seem to think the vetting procedure is beyond offering the correct amount of hours, covering core components and being lectured by qualified lecturers?" ......I don't understand this comment

Anyway, I am delighted that you have found something you are happy with and I don't blame you for defending the course if your doing it.

As stated by more than one person on this forum.....research your courses very very carefully!!!!!!

[sunflower27]

Firefight,

To answer your question:

See here: http://www.irish-counselling.ie/accr...embership-iacp

It states quite clearly that to be accredited by the IACP, students must complete an IACP accredited course, or course that meets the IACP's core educational standards (which ATI does - there is a list elsewhere on the site re the info I gave on course curriculum covered, personal therapy and client work whilst doing the course).

Hope that helps.




I'm locking this thread as it is done. JC