Criteria For Admission To Membership Of The Institute Of Guidance Counsellors

Membership of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors is open to those individuals, who have successfully completed a programme of study, recognised by the institute, for the purpose of admission to membership.
The institute recognises two strands, through which individuals can obtain membership.

1. The first of these strands admits to membership graduates of professional training programmes, constituted to prepare individuals to work as Guidance Counsellors in second level and further and higher education
2. The second strand admits to membership graduates of programmes constituted to work with adults in a guidance and counselling role.

Both strands admit suitably qualified applicants to full membership of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, upon successful completion of their separate courses. Such membership does not of itself confer any employment rights, in specific Guidance and Counselling roles, given that employers of Guidance and Counselling graduates may lay down a range of other qualification requirements, for employment in their specific sector.

EDUCATION

The institute recognises the following Irish Guidance and Counselling programmes, currently being offered by third level institutions, as meeting its entry requirements, for those seeking employment in education settings.

Higher Diploma in School Guidance and Counselling (NUI Maynooth)

M.Sc. in Guidance and Counselling (DCU)

Masters in Guidance Counsellling (NUI Cork)

Graduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling (University of Limerick)

Masters of Education - Guidance and Counselling (Trinity College Dublin)

M.Sc. in Educational Guidance and Counselling - Mode B (Trinity College) 

ADULT GUIDANCE

The institute recognises the following Irish Guidance and Counselling programme, currently being offered, by NUI Maynooth, as meeting its entry requirements, for those seeking employment in an adult guidance role.

Higher Diploma/Diploma in Adult Guidance (NUI Maynooth)

All courses currently accepted for membership of the IGC, will be reviewed every three years.

Individuals presenting qualifications obtained from colleges in other jurisdictions will have to fulfil a basket of entry requirements, which must include the following generic core components.

COMPONENT HOURS

1. Knowledge

Role and functions of the guidance counsellor (managing the guidance service)

Career development and the nature of work    24 hours

The Psychology of Human Development and Behaviour   24 hours

Counselling theory       24 hours

Professional issues (e.g. ethics, record keeping)   12 hours

Multicultural, Special Educational needs and equality issues  6 hours

Guidance programme planning / Whole school planning   6 hours

2. Skills Development

Guidance skills development      24 hours

Counselling skills development      24 hours

Experiential group work      24 hours

Psychometric testing       30 hours

Information management and systems     12 hours

Personal growth/development, which should include personal counselling.       12 hours

3. Field Practice

Guidance practice and supervision.     24 hours

Counselling practice and supervision.     24 hours

Appropriate placements       48 hours