Course Details

CAO Code:

DC762

Course Type:

Undergraduate

NFQ Level:

NFQ Level

NFQ level 8

Delivery Modes

Part-Time

Duration

1 year

If you have personal experience of mental ill health or have supported others with lived experience of mental ill health, you’ll find this course will challenge and broaden your perspective on mental health and peer support. It will also help you enhance your existing strengths, so you can make a greater impact in your work.  

This course includes a placement of 19 hours a week during the year, so that you get practical real-world experience and can apply what you are learning at DCU.  Once you complete this course, you’ll be qualified to work as a peer support worker, a family peer support worker, some students also work as a peer educators or peer advocates. 

Gaining vital knowledge and skills
During the course and through cooperative learning methods, you’ll gain key knowledge and skills in the practice, policy and models of peer support, while also studying models of mental health,  human rights, power, trauma and community community. 

You’ll also examine the latest national and international trends and developments in recovery-oriented mental health practice. You’ll also learn more about how the Irish mental health service works, along with the principles of the individualised nature of recovery and a person-centred approach. Throughout, you’ll engage with reflective practice, supervision and support structures in the way you would in professional peer support work.

Entry Requirements

General Entry Requirements

Peer Support Workers will have a previous history of mental health problems and be in recovery or recovered. Family Peer Support Workers will have experience of supporting someone with mental health problems. Potential students will be interviewed prior to commencement of the programme. This process will provide an opportunity for DCU staff to review the educational academic entry point of the student and apply RPL guidelines.

In addition to ‘expertise by experience’ and ‘family supporter experience’ there are a number of entry criteria:

• A copy of Passport.
• Evidence of critical thinking, literacy, communication/writing skills at level 5 NFQ. This can be in the form of formal qualifications (e.g. Leaving Certificate) or the equivalent
• Where applicants do not have formal level 5 NFQ qualifications they will be assessed through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• All applicants are required to submit a personal statement detailing your experience and interest in the course. Your personal statement should be unique and tailored to the programme for which you are applying. Some guidelines on writing a personal statement can be found here: https://www.dcu.ie/registry/Personal-Statement-Guidelines.shtml#
• Prospective Students must secure a placement  as a peer support worker or a family peer support worker for 19 hours a week (paid or unpaid) for the duration of the course (September - April). The placement can be in a voluntary or statutory services but there must be a placement supervisor to support the peer support worker while engaging in peers support work. 
• Applicants must include a signed form from a person in your organisation who will supervise you for the duration of this course.

All applicants will be Garda vetted as part of the acceptance process and further details are available on the DCU Registry website.

If you have any questions when applying for this course please contact  Martha Griffin for information and guidance.

Fees and Funding

Fees

Full time

EU Status Fee

€2,000

Non EU Fee

€2,100