Qualification : POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA
Award Type and NFQ level : POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA (9)
CAO/MU Apply code : MH99G
CAO Points :
Closing Date : 14 February 2025
This is an 18-months part-time taught postgraduate diploma which is designed to prepare qualified second-level teachers to provide and lead a school guidance counselling service. Graduates will be equipped to lead and contribute to a schools Whole School Guidance team.
The programme is recognised by the Irish Department of Education (DE) and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) as a professional, international qualification in guidance counselling.¿
The part-time programme will run in three different Cycles. Accordingly, Cycle times are given below:¿
Cycle 1: January 2025 - May 2026 (PDEGXP)
Year 1 Subject Code EDGCXP5 (January 2025 May 2025)
Year 2 Subject Code EDGXP52 (September 2025 May 2026, year-long)
Cycle 2: Sept 2025- Dec 2026 (PDEGCP) (MU Apply Code: MH99G)
Year 1 Subject Code EDGCP5 (September 2025 May 2026, year-long)
Year 2 Subject Code EDGCP52 (September 2026 December 2026)
Cycle 3: September 2026 - December 2027 (PDEGCP)
Year 1 (September 2026 May 2027, year-long)
Year 2 (September 2027 December 2027)
Participants attend Maynooth University two full-days per month (one Friday and one Saturday) and online lectures for two evenings per month (Thursday evenings between 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.) and engage in school placement for one day in a week during the 32 weeks (32 full school days in total) of the course.
Programme participants are responsible for arranging the school placement component of the course during which they work in close co-operation with the school guidance counsellor. Students who have a full-time qualified practising school guidance counsellor at their current school may complete their placement at their own school. If a student's school does not have a full-time qualified practising school guidance counsellor, they will be required to fulfil their placement at a different school.
There are no distance restrictions on the schools, participants can choose for their placements. PGDEGC part-time programme is nationwide, allowing students to choose schools across the country that best suit their academic and professional aspirations for placement.¿
The programme begins with two full-days induction in late August and workshops (attendance is mandatory).
Intensive training in psychometric testing is scheduled for the October mid-term break in Year 2 (dates to be confirmed) and there will be 2 - 3 Saturday workshops.
Course Duration: 18-months part-time¿
Closing Date: 14th February 2025
MU Apply Code: MH99G
- Applicants will be qualified, registered second-level teachers (Route 2 registration with Teaching Council) 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 school teacher.
- Experience on a whole school guidance team would be advantageous.
Academic
Academic
Academic
Participants attend Maynooth University two days per month (one Friday and one Saturday), two days online lectures (two Thursday evenings per month) and engage in school placement for one day in a week during the 32 weeks (32 full school days in total) of the course.
The programme (Cycle 2) begins in late August 2025 with two full days as induction week. Attendance is mandatory.
Intensive training in psychometric testing is scheduled for the October mid-term break in Year 2 and there will be 2 - 3 Saturday workshops.
MU Apply Code: MH99G
Course Duration: 18-months part-time
The closing date is 14th February 2025.
Applications to the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Guidance Counselling Cycle 2 (MH99G) must be made via the MU Apply system. Detailed information and application instructions are available on our website. Create an account and proceed with your application.
Please note the following documents must be uploaded to your application. Failure to do so will delay your application being processed:
- Certified copies of all official transcripts of results for all non-Maynooth University qualifications listed MUST accompany the application.
- Non-Maynooth University students must provide a copy of their birth certificate or a valid passport.
- Maynooth University graduates who obtained qualifications from other institutions should submit certified copies of those qualifications.
- Two professional written references from current school management on headed paper, dated within the last year, must be submitted with the application. We recommend requesting these references promptly to ensure they are ready for submission.
Please note that incomplete applications cannot be considered, so we encourage you to obtain all necessary documents, especially references, well in advance. After the closing date (14th February 2025), all applications will be reviewed, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.
Please note, when making your application, please select the course name Educational Guidance Counselling PGDIP (Sept start), this can be selected from Academic Programme drop down list on MU Apply.