This is a one-year full-time taught postgraduate diploma (Aug June) which is designed to prepare qualified second-level teachers to provide and lead a school guidance counselling service. The programme is recognised by the Irish Department of Education (DES) and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) as a professional, international qualification in guidance counselling.
Participants attend Maynooth University one full day per week (Friday) and engage in school placement one day per week (Monday - Thursday) in a school other than where they work. The programme begins in late August with full-day induction and workshops (attendance is mandatory). Intensive training in psychometric testing is scheduled for the October mid-term break (dates to be confirmed) and there will be 2/3 Saturday workshops in semester 1
Programme participants are responsible for arranging the school placement component of the course (within a 160 km travel distance of Maynooth) during which they work in close co-operation with the school guidance counsellor.
Course Duration: 1 year full-time
Applicants will be qualified, registered second-level teachers with an honours Professional Masters in Education (PME) or equivalent qualifications. At least three years' experience of teaching and experience in areas such as pastoral care or a school care team are essential.
This does not include your teaching experience while training as a second level schoolteacher.
