IACP Recognised Courses have been assessed in accordance with the IACP Criteria and Guidelines for Courses Seeking Recognition and have been approved as valid core courses for the purpose of individual accreditation with the IACP.
Course Delivery Address:Teach Bhride, Tullow, Co Carlow.
Office Address: Baile Eamonn, An Spiddal, Co Galway.
Old Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Frequently Asked Questions
FOR STUDENTS/APPLICANTS
1. What is the benefit of doing a recognised IACP course?
- Students attending an IACP Recognised Courses will be assured that the course is sufficient for entry as a Student Member of IACP.
- Graduates of IACP Recognised Courses will be assured that the course meets the training/educational requirement for individual IACP Accredited Membership.
2. If I successfully complete a Recognised Courses, can I automatically become an accredited member of IACP?
The successful completion of any course does not in itself guarantee accreditation, as it is only one factor of any individual application. The other requirements for accreditation can be found at Join IACP
3. The course I plan on doing is not listed on the website; does this mean that it is not valid for accreditation?
A course which is not recognised by IACP may be in line with the Criteria and Guidelines for Courses Seeking Recognition and therefore valid for accreditation however IACP cannot provide a guarantee of non recognised courses as they have not been verified by the IACP course recognition process. Details of whether non recognised courses meet the criteria should be sought from the course provider directly. The Criteria and Guidelines for Courses Seeking Recognition are available to download.
4. The Course provider informed me that they have applied for recognition; does this mean the course will be recognised?
The IACP cannot disclose any information relating to a course providers application for course recognition.
5. If I have completed a course which is not recognised, what course details will be required when applying for accreditation?
Full details of requirements for IACP accreditation can be found at Join IACP .If the core course is not an IACP Recognised Course, it is essential to include with the application the course brochure giving the course details showing that its criteria are equivalent to the IACP current criteria for course recognition.
The details required of an applicant’s core course include:
- Name of the course and address of the training organisation
- Starting and ending date of course
- Qualifications of staff
- Number of hours of theory and skills training
- Number of class contact hours on the course
- Number of supervised client hours as part of the course
- For client work a minimum 1-8 ratio of supervision hours to client hours
- Requirement of 50 hours personal therapy as part of the course
FOR COURSES SEEKING RECOGNITION
6. I would like to apply for recognition for a course with IACP, what do I do?
The first step is to download and read the Criteria and Guidelines for Courses Seeking Recognition. This outlines the criteria and guidelines laid down by the Course Recognition Committee for courses applying for recognition.
7. I have read the Criteria and Guidelines for Courses Seeking Recognition and I am satisfied that the course is ready for application, what is next?
If you are not already a member, you will need to join IACP as an Organisational Member prior to submitting an application for course recognition.
8. What information should I send to IACP with my application for Course Recognition?
The following information should be forwarded to IACP for a Course Seeking Recognition:
- Completed Application for Recognition of Counselling/Psychotherapy Course form
- Three copies of explanatory and promotional material used, e.g. Course Leaflets / Brochures etc.
- A Submission Document in triplicate form covering in detail how the course satisfies the criteria in the Criteria and Guidelines for Courses Seeking Recognition
- Fee: Course Recognition Application Payment Options Form or see Membership Rates for the appropriate fee.
- IACP Organisational Member Name and/or Organisational Membership number
9. Can I apply for recognition of a course before the course starts running?
Prior to application courses are required to have completed a full cycle of one cohort of the course prior to application.
10. Can I advertise the fact that I have applied for recognition to perspective students?
No. Only courses which have completed the recognition process and have received written confirmation of their recognised status may include the words “IACP Recognised Courses” on their publicity material or use words that imply the same meaning. Organisations engaged in training should not state or imply in any publicity material that they intend to apply or that they have applied for recognition by IACP.
11. How long is recognition of a course?
A course is recognised for six years.
12. How much does it cost to apply for recognition?
There is a once off fee for the recognition process and the institution pays their course recognition fee on a yearly basis after the course has been approved. Current fees can be found under Membership Rates
13. How long will the Courses Recognition process take?
It is difficult to predict precisely how long the recognition process takes from receipt of a submission document by IACP. Experience has shown that the process takes one to two years but it largely depends on the individual course and the volume of applicants.
14. What happens during the Course Recognition Process?
A course’s submission will be considered by a panel of three nominated by the Course Recognition Committee. This consists of a paper based assessment and a visit to the applying course. Following the assessment, further visits and correspondence may be necessary. When all information has been gathered and assessed, the panel will prepare a written report on their findings in respect of the course’s eligibility for entry.
15. What happens during the visit?
Recognition visits provide the assessment panel with a means of confirming that the course delivery is in accordance with the submission document and meets the Criteria and Guidelines for Courses Seeking Recognition. The visit lasts for a maximum of four hours and a date will be scheduled with the liaison person for the applying course.
16. What is involved in Course Recognition once a course is recognised?
A recognised course submits a yearly report which is reviewed by the Course Recognition Committee. There is also ongoing monitoring of the course.
NB: Course Recognition may be withdrawn at any time if standards are not maintained.
17. If the course becomes recognised, can I run the same course in different locations?
Recognition attaches itself to specific courses rather than institutions. If an institution runs two or more courses which it wishes to enter for recognition then separate applications are normally required.
18. What is the role of the appointed Liaison Person on a Recognised Course?
The IACP will continue to monitor the courses after recognition and a liaison person is essential to support this. Correspondence related to the recognised courses will be directed to the liaison person and they are also required to submit yearly reports and any changes occurring in the course.
19. If my course was not awarded recognition, will my students be eligible for individual accreditation with IACP?
Courses which have been refused recognition by IACP, or which do not satisfy IACP criteria are unlikely to be acceptable for individual accreditation purposes.
20. What happens after the six years of recognition expires?
The course should apply for renewal of recognition after six years.
21. How much does it cost for renewal of recognition?
There is a once off fee for renewal of recognition and the course continues with their annual subscription for course recognition. Current fees can be found under Membership Rates
Irish Institute of Counselling & Psychotherapy at Turning Point