Guidance Counselling & Lifespan Development - MA Programme content

Develop the knowledge and expertise to pursue a career as a qualified guidance counsellor.

EU fees per year €6,800

Non-EU fees per year €14,900

NFQ Level NFQ Level 9 Major

Duration Two years

Attendance Part-time

Programme type Taught, Professional / Flexible

Delivery Blended

Start date September

Award Masters

Key information

Complete part-time over two years.
Delivered on campus. Some modules are delivered partly online. You will find more details for each module below.
Designed for working professionals and those with other commitments.
Modules taught during autumn, spring and summer semesters.
You will have an average of six hours of lecture time per week. This will include lectures on six Saturdays, and twelve mid-week evenings.
In the summer semester of Year 1, your modules will be delivered on campus in daytime hours between Monday and Friday.
In the spring semester of Year 2, lecture hours are reduced to support you to complete your placement and research.
Option to exit after the final spring semester in year 2 with a Graduate Diploma.
Continue to summer semester for MA qualification.

Counselling Theory & Practice 1 (EN6221) on-campus lectures. Introduces students to counselling theory and practice.
Professional Practice in Guidance Counselling (EN6141) Mix of online and on-campus lectures. Explores the key areas of professional practice in guidance counselling within a lifelong guidance counselling context.

Theory and Skills of Experiential Group Learning (EN6192) On-campus lectures. Develops techniques to engage clients in personal and social, educational and career learning and development through group-based processes.
Contemporary Perspectives on Vocational Development and Progression across the Lifespan (EN6093) Mix of online and on-campus lectures. Develops the knowledge base, skills and competencies pertinent to the role of the Guidance Counsellor.

Theory and Practice of Psychological Testing (EN5320) On-campus lectures. Develops skills and knowledge for the selection, administration and feedback of assessment tests in the practice of guidance counselling.

Books and journal articles needed for the programme will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s Book of Modules

Counselling Theory & Practice 2 (EN6114) On-campus lectures. Focuses on expanding the counselling micro skills relevant to the client's needs in the context of guidance counselling practice.
Advanced Research Methods in Guidance Counselling (EN6091) Mix of online and on-campus lectures. Introduces practitioner-based research methods in the field of guidance counselling.
Practicum 1: Practice Placement (EN6124) provides students with first-hand experience of guidance counselling practice in an educational setting.

Practicum 2: Practice Placement (EN6015) provides first-hand experience of guidance practice in an external professional setting.

Dissertation (EN6044) engages the student in research on a topic related to the guidance counselling profession.
Dissertation (EN6006) enables the student to complete the research dissertation.

Books and journal articles needed for the programme will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s Book of Modules