Moving forward in studies/career? (ICHAS degree)

Dazed2012

Hey all,

I am currently just finishing an Ord Level Degree of Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies with ICHAS. Throughout my final year, I discovered these boards (and wished I had discovered them a few years earlier) and found a wealth of information on courses and career choices and some valuable information in general for the counselling field.

Without this post falling into a college bashing course (as Ive seen it happen and I hope that posters can see I am just very confused counselling undergrad student at the moment and I am neither here to slate or commend this college), I would really just like some practical advice from accredited counsellors, current students in other colleges or graduates from this college with regards to options.

I would like to branch into Adult Guidance Counselling or Youth Guidance Counselling eventually and I am just wondering, due to the strained reputation that the college I have attended has in academic circles, I am wondering how difficult would it be to transfer over into a post graduate course accredited by some of the other associations? Would I be snubbed or would this degree just mean little?

I have a second class honours degree in Arts from NUI Galway and it was after this that I began completing a Counselling degree, believing I had found my career niche.

So I am just wondering, due to me having a degree in Arts (yes I know it means little) and now obtaining a degree in Counselling Studies from ICHAS (which as I found out may mean little also) how would I be viewed in terms of jumping into a post grad/masters options in relation to counselling? I do not have the time, money or dedication to jump backwards to do anything below degree level.

Thank you very much for reading and would love to hear any information/links to other posts/sites that may be relevant to my specific case.

Thanks,
D

Split

ICHAS graduate here from full time 2010 .

Give Gemma Harte – Programme Coordinator for Level 8 and 9 a call , she is sound and will point you in the right direction in terms of course prospects Direct Line: 061 501126.

I will start my MA next year using my BA and additional ECTS points I earned while travelling. I will attend a different university while staying in the same field . To be honest , your BA is HETAC accredited and as the main governing body in Ireland their should not be significant issues with the qualification as it is not ICHAS .

Also get started on your accreditation . It can be a process in itself and is hugely beneficial to start the process when you may have spare time to build up your hours and CPD's.Don't neccesarrily go with the ICHAS reccomendation for accrediting organisations - research very carefully first .

puddles and umbrellas

I'm not too familiar with ICHAS or its' courses, so can't give much advice on that front.

However, there are many ways of researching your future study options - remember the internet is your friend!

First of all, I would advise you to research which is the most recognized body of accreditation in these areas. then I would suggest that you research every single institution in the country which offer the courses which will lead on to your desired career path.

Then email the course coordinator of these courses - tell them about your academic background, ask what are the prerequisites for their course, and crucially, clarify for definite that their course is accredited by the right professional body.

And go from there; perhaps ask for a prospectus, career options for graduates, hidden conditions (do you require x amount of hours in a counselling setting, is placement provided by the college, do you have to pay for supervision, etc.).

Good luck