Councelling &Pschotherapy at Irish College of Humanities and Applied Science. Limeri

I need a unbiased opinion, got this email and wondering if this Masters would meet accreditation criteria. There isn't a word about accreditation so I'm wondering is it a waste of money?.


Following on from your recent enquiry in relation to the Master’s Programme with ICHAS, I would like to take this opportunity to advise you of the significant changes that are currently taking place in the field of Counselling and Psychotherapy along with the course options now open to you for the forthcoming academic year, commencing September 2014 at the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences.

The last year has seen monumental changes in the profession. Of particular importance is the fact that the Department of Health has recently announced that it is this Government's intention to bring the disciplines of Counselling and Psychotherapy under Statutory Regulation without further delay. CORU, which was established under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act (2005), will have overall responsibility for the regulation of the professions including Counselling and Psychotherapy.

In the past few weeks, Minister Kathleen Lynch T.D, announced in Dail Eireann that regulation would commence without delay. It is anticipated that regulation will be in place following receipt by the Department of the final report from QQI/HETAC. QQI are expected to agree the award standards for Counselling and Psychotherapy in May of this year.

The Minister has specifically stated that “the standards of proficiency to be required of existing practitioners for registration will need to be established and the necessary qualifications prescribed”. Once Statutory Registration comes into force, it will be illegal to describe oneself as either a Counsellor or Psychotherapist unless one is Registered as such with the Regulatory Authority CORU, as both titles will, under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act (2005) become protected titles.

It is envisaged that the minimum qualification level to meet expected Regulatory Standards will be a QQI Level 8 degree for Counselling and QQI Level 9 for Psychotherapy.
ICHAS college has a Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) policy in place, which allows participants with relevant experience or other qualifications, to have this taken into account so as to access the Masters Programmes through an RPL application. (Please contact the college if you have queries in relation RPL).