Accreditations
Accreditations
IICP College is committed to high standards in counselling and psychotherapy education. Our programmes are supported by professional body recognition, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) validation and learner protections.
Professional Body Recognition (IACP)
The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) is Ireland’s largest professional body for counselling and psychotherapy. IACP recognition is associated with quality and high standards in the field, and many employers (including roles in the public sector) may require professional accreditation alongside a recognised academic qualification.
IACP-accredited/recognised IICP College programmes
BSc (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
IICP College’s four‑year degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy has been professionally accredited by IACP. The programme has held QQI validation since 2010. Initially validated in 2010 as a Bachelor of Arts, the programme was revalidated in 2021 as a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy to reflect developments within the profession.
MSc in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy
Following a successful site visit, IICP College’s MSc in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy was awarded full IACP accreditation. It is also QQI-validated.
Diploma in Integrative Supervision
IICP College was awarded professional accreditation by IACP for its Diploma in Integrative Supervision.
For more information, please see IACP accredited professional training courses.
QQI Academic Validation
All QQI validated programmes in counselling and psychotherapy must adhere to the 2014 QQI Counselling and Psychotherapy Awards Standards. QQI have validated these IICP College programmes:
- Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies (Level 6)
- BSc (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (Level 8)
- MSc in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy (Level 9)
- MA in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (Level 9)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (Level 9)
View IICP College’s profile in the QQI Irish Register of Qualifications.
Protection for Enrolled Learners
The Protection for Enrolled Learners (PEL) programme is covered by arrangements under Section 65(4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012. In the event of IICP College ceasing to provide the programme, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or — if this is not practicable — the fees most recently paid will be refunded. Current PEL arrangements consist of a 2% levy on course fees, which IICP College does not pass on to learners.
Other Affiliations
HECA Membership
The Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA) is an association of independent, private and quality providers of higher education. Membership requires that providers offer a minimum of a Level 7 Degree on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), validated by QQI.
Future Regulation (CORU)
CORU is Ireland’s health and social care regulator. The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board has published its pre-registration education and training requirements (Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes) and has stated that the registers for counsellors and psychotherapists are not yet open, with no definitive opening date currently available.
