Master of Arts in Addiction Recovery
Course Overview
Develop expertise in Addiction Recovery principles and practice and explore your future career with this MA.
This Master's Degree is an ICHAS (Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences) programme. ICHAS are responsible for its delivery & all academic matters pertaining to it.
Students on this programme will have the advantage of being taught across two campuses in Limerick – both at ICHAS Limerick and Griffith College Limerick.
The programme is designed for graduates who wish to enhance their own professional skills and capacity and contribute to the wider community of addiction services through evidence-based knowledge and research. Graduates will be able to expand their knowledge and understanding of the human condition and the contribution of theoretical and applied perspectives at advanced level to addiction recovery.
Why Study with ICHAS?
This course will be of interest to those who have responsibility for the delivery and implementation of addiction services, and for graduates in health and human sciences and in particular graduates of counselling and psychotherapy related programmes as well as disciplines such as, nursing, social care, social work, psychology and programmes in cognate areas.
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The MA in Addiction Recovery is designed to provide high-quality educational training to health and Social care practitioners who are driven by a desire to gain advanced knowledge of addiction recovery in order to act as leaders and agents for change across the range of ecological interactions. This implies a recognition of the special contribution made by professional addiction practitioners using a range of scientifically established paradigms and approaches to support recovery and the difference this can make to individuals, their families and communities. The programme envisages well-being holistically and systemically with recovery viewed at policy and preventative levels within the context of how public health models can most effectively enrich the lives of individuals and communities. |
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Intake Dates
- Limerick - Full-Time - September 2025
Campus(es) Where the Course is Available
Full-Time: Students on this programme will be taught across two campuses in Limerick - both at ICHAS Limerick and Griffith College Limerick.
Course Details
Module Information
The Programme is divided into 9 modules each of which has Educational Credits (ECTS) associated with them (please see a list of the individual module titles and the associated credits below). Each Module may also be taken on a standalone basis. It is also important to note that learners who complete 60 ECTS and who wish to exit the programme without completing their Dissertation may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Counselling.
The course covers a range of subjects that are structured to develop competent professional practitioners. The subjects covered are designed to be both practical and theoretical as per the table below:
| Module Name |
ECTS |
| Understanding Addiction |
5 |
| Skills & Competencies in Addiction Counselling |
5 |
| Contemporary Evidence Based Interventions in Addiction Recovery |
10 |
| Research Methodologies & Design |
10 |
| Community Reinforcement Approach & Family aspects in Addiction |
10 |
| Comorbidity & Trauma Informed Care |
5 |
| The Recovery Model in Addiction |
5 |
| Elective |
10 |
| Dissertation |
30 |
| Total Credits |
90 |
| Elective (students must choose one of the following) |
ECTS |
| Behavioural & Process Addictions |
10 |
| Substance Use Disorders & The Recovery Model |
10 |
| Gambling Addiction & The Recovery Model |
10 |
| Neuropharmacological Aspects of Substance Use Disorders |
10 |
Learners on the MA in Addiction Recovery are required to complete 90ECTS (as outlined above) over one academic year and are required to take one elective module from the list above. This programme has been structured to provide learners who wish to study Addiction Recovery principles and practices through a more inter and transdisciplinary perspective. It also provides an opportunity to study material which addresses both the principles and ethos of recovery-orientated practices, as well as psychotherapeutic approaches to supporting individuals on a ‘wellness’ journey. The programme envisages wellbeing holistically and systemically with recovery viewed at policy and preventative levels within the context of how public health models can most effectively enrich the lives of individuals and communities.
Timetables
Full-Time:
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The Full-Time programme is conducted during the day in a traditional classroom setting, featuring cross-campus collaboration between Griffith College Limerick and ICHAS Limerick.
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Irish residents also have the option of blended learning in the evenings, with classes available both in person and via live online sessions. Lectures are held once a week from 6pm – 9pm, and approximately eight Saturdays per semester from 9:30am to 4:30pm.
How to Apply
How to apply
Domestic Applicants
- The knowledge, skills and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 programme requires applicants to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Level 8 Human Science degree on the NFQ – or equivalent.
- The knowledge, skills and competence required to participate in and complete this Level 9 programme successfully will normally require applicants to have successfully achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Level 8 degree.
- Those who have completed other relevant educational programmes or have relevant professional experience etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submitting programme content, qualification, and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard, can also be considered.
- All applicants are required to be over 23 years of age.
International Applicants
- If English is not your native language, you must show that your English level is of a suitable standard, i.e B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.
- All international applicants must meet the visa requirements for study in Ireland.
- All applicants must attend an interview to ascertain their suitability for the programme.
- Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.
Fees
This programme is offered on a full-time (ICHAS Limerick & Griffith College Limerick) basis and there are options around the payment of tuition fees with payment plans available to learners.
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Full-time: ICHAS Limerick and Griffith College Limerick: €6,800.00
Study Mode: Full-Time
Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees section.
Study Mode: Full-Time
Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.
Non-EU students: a Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted.
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted.
In addition, students who opt for monthly instalments will incur an extra fee of €100 to avail of this facility. All fees are fully protected under our Protection of Enrolled Learners Policy.
Protection of Enrolled Learners’ Policy All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
Progression
Career Progression
The Masters in Addiction Recovery is targeted at those who wish to enhance their employability and career progression prospects in statutory, community and voluntary sectors and Addiction Service environments. It is targeted at learners seeking to critically evaluate institutionalised practices and values, and act as agents for challenge and change in their professional contexts.
The programme will address the needs of graduates who wish to develop their professional competence in areas of Addiction Recovery principles through advanced study and research, develop personal and professional capacity and collaborative problem solving skills, underpinned by evidence-based practice and reflection.
Examples of such roles include:
- Supervisor - Addiction Services
- Manager - Homelessness Services
- Manager - Outreach Services
- Team Leader - Addiction Services
- Support Services Manager
- Family Services Multi-Disciplinary Team Manager
- Adjunct Faculty various Academic Institutions
Academic Progression
This programme provides a progression opportunity to complete a range of Programmes at Level 10 nationally and internationally.
