The higher diploma in guidance and counselling at UCC is now in its 21st year and people are queuing up for places on this course - which changes lives. Olive Keogh reports

Like all courses involving the exploration of human attitudes and behaviour, the higher diploma in guidance and counselling (run jointly by the departments of applied psychology and education at University College Cork) is not for those afraid to look inwards. "The course is academically very demanding, but I tell students that its greatest impact will be on the way they see themselves," says course director, Dr Ronny Swain.

"I warn them that their awareness of feelings will be heightened on the course and they will experience, by turns, joy, depression, exhilaration, exhaustion, despair, contentment and more! In terms of academic results, they will do either well or very well and they will feel the year was very worthwhile." A large number of those applying for places on the diploma course are from within the teaching profession, but Swain says the final mix of participants (each intake is around 20 students) tends to reflect a wide variety of backgrounds, from community and youth work to the religious ministry, psychology, nursing and welfare. The age mix is also wide, with the biggest group of students normally in the 25 to 35 age bracket.

The course is one-year, full-time, and selection is by interview. Potential students need to have a degree or its equivalent. Non-graduates with appropriate training are accepted and prior learning and experience are taken into account in the selection process. The official closing date for applications was March 15th and while there is a little leeway on this, those interested are advised to apply as soon as possible.

"Guidance counsellors in Ireland traditionally work in second-level schools, though increasingly they are working in community settings, with adults and with early school-leavers," says Ronny Swain. "The course caters for all of these areas and it is academically intensive with 18 modules in the theory and practice of guidance counselling, including school and industrial placements and supervised counselling and guidance experience.

"Because the guidance skills acquired are generic, students are not restricted to working in any particular guidance setting and there are job opportunities in youth and community work, at third level, in adult guidance and in industry, rehabilitation and training."

For more information, contact (021) 490 4551.