Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling)
Course Overview
The Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling) is designed for those working with individuals, families and communities impacted by Gambling Addiction.
This is an ICHAS course delivered at Griffith College by ICHAS.
This Level 9 Certificate is designed for graduates in health and human sciences, particularly those with qualifications in counselling, psychotherapy, nursing, social care, social work, psychology, and related fields. The programme enhances participants’ knowledge and skills to engage effectively with individuals experiencing gambling addiction and to support their recovery journey.
Why Study Addiction Studies (Gambling) at Griffith College?
This specialised training is designed for health and social care professionals who work with individuals, families, and communities affected by gambling addiction. Through a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary curriculum, you will gain expertise in evidence-based, client-centred approaches that uphold dignity, empowerment, and respect.
The course also develops leadership and advocacy skills, preparing you to act as a powerful agent of change in promoting social justice and human rights in addiction recovery settings.
Course Highlights:
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Evidence-Based Focus: Addresses the rising need for research-driven gambling addiction approaches in voluntary, community, and healthcare sectors across Ireland.
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Professional Autonomy and Recovery Principles: Prepares students to work independently in complex, culturally sensitive environments, guided by best practices in recovery and psychology.
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Competency Development: Builds skills in health promotion, prevention, rehabilitation, and recovery within gambling addiction and addiction studies.
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Inclusive Learning Environment: Supports all learners by fostering participation based on individual strengths and professional development needs.
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Pathways to Specialisation: Offers funded higher education routes for those aiming to specialise in gambling addiction treatment and policy in Ireland.
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Full-Time, Part-Time - September 2025
- Limerick - Full-Time, Part-Time - September 2025
Course Details
Learners can complete this course over 12 weeks full-time or 24 weeks part-time.
The timetable has been structured to optimise the utilisation of online learning via Zoom. Learners have to complete four modules on this programme which amount to 30 ECTS.
The modules and associated credits relating to the Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling) are as follows:
Modules
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the conceptual understanding of evidence-informed approaches with particular reference to cognitive behavioural approaches, as well as the use of Motivational Interviewing in addiction and addiction treatment. Learners will focus on theoretical explanations, as well as intervention considerations over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for a range of explanatory theories.
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate the concept of co-morbidity and the influence of trauma in the lived experience of addiction. Learners will examine a range of conditions which commonly co-occur with addiction, including polydrug use, and a range of psychiatric and mental health disorders as well as examine the influence of trauma and treatment modalities associated with co-morbid disorders and trauma experience associated with addiction.
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate a range of recovery models within addiction treatment approaches. Learners will examine a range of contemporary recovery models and will be facilitated to benchmark emerging recovery models against traditional treatment approaches.
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate the evidence supporting Gambling addiction. Learners will examine a range of recovery orientated interventions and treatment approaches associated with Gambling Addiction as well as the relationship between Gambling and comorbid conditions and trauma experience.
This programme comprises 30 ECTS and is being offered as a Minor Award.
Timetables
Timetable:
Timetables will be made available closer to the course start date.
The timetables are structured to optimise the utilisation of hybrid learning. This course can be taken over 12 weeks, one semester, on a full-time basis or 24 weeks, two semesters, on a part-time basis.
Please contact ichas@griffith.ie for further information.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
- A minimum of a Second Class Honours (2:2) award in a relevant Human Science Degree at Level 8 on the NFQ – or equivalent.
- Those who have completed other relevant education programmes or have relevant professional experience etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied, may apply for admission to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Second Class Honours (2:2) award at Level 8.
- The minimum English language proficiency requirement for this programme is B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.
- Garda Vetting is a requirement for all successful applicants.
- All applicants will be required to attend an interview to ascertain their suitability for the Programme.
Fees
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
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin Main Campus
EUR 2,400
Limerick Campus
EUR 2,400
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin Main Campus
EUR 2,400
Limerick Campus
EUR 2,400
The Gambling Awareness Trust supports the programme for 30 applicants, where 70% of the fees will be funded. ICHAS has also established a fund to supplement this funding from the Gambling Awareness Trust, which will reduce the cost to funding recipients to €500.
Please note that participants are required to pay €2400 either in full or in instalments throughout the programme, and a refund of €1900 from GAT is refunded upon successful completion of the programme.
Progression
This Level 9 Certificate Award is designed 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 who wish to enhance the knowledge and competencies to engage with those with Gambling Addiction and to support them in their journey towards recovery.
Students who complete this programme can progress to the MA in Addiction Studies, MA in Addiction Recovery and MA in Addiction Counselling programmes and receive credits for modules completed as part of this Certificate.
