Masters in Psychological Science (M Psych Sc.)
If you have an honours BA or BSc in psychology, or a Higher Diploma in Psychology and want to pursue graduate studies in the field of psychology, our Masters in Psychological Science (M Psych Sc) may be of interest to you. In this one-year taught masters programme you will learn basic applied psychology skills to equip you for doctoral studies in clinical, counselling, educational or organizational psychology, or for progressing to a PhD in psychological research.
Curriculum
The M Psych Sc comprises six ten-credit modules and a 30 credit research dissertation. It runs for a calendar year (September to August). In all modules the focus is on the acquisition of skills for professional practice. Brief details of each of the modules offered in are indicated below. Modules may vary from year to year.
Level A/Level B Competence in Occupational Testing. This is a British Psychological Society professionally recognised course leading to Certificates of Competence. The course is skills based and practical. Level A deals with the basics of psychometric theory and the use of ability and aptitude tests, while Level B builds on these foundations and covers the use of measures of typical performance, such as personality, motivation and values.
Basic counselling and clinical skills. The focus of this module is developing students’ understanding of the core theoretical and philosophical approaches to personality and counselling / psychotherapy practice. Students will have the opportunity to develop basic listening skills, grounding and self-regulatory skills and evolve an awareness of their own interactive style. Skills in self-reflective practice are also introduced, with a focus on personal and professional development and one’s ‘growing edge’.
Group dynamics and process. The goal of this module is to provide students with an introduction to the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of group dynamics. Students will have the opportunity to practice skills that will help them function more effectively in groups. Students will be helped to develop their awareness of self within a group setting, including roles assumed, attitudes towards leadership, ability to recognise and handle conflict, ability to listen and attend to other group members and to understand group dynamics including rank and power issues.
Diversity and Inclusive Practice . The field of psychology increasingly recognises the need to ensure that practice is inclusive of the many diverse individuals and groups with whom psychologists work. Inclusive practice is based on a general framework of cultural competence that identifies the forms of awareness, knowledge and skills needed for practice with diverse groups. This module provides an overview of theory, research and practice from an international and Irish context and considers their application in several areas of practice.
Advanced psychological methods and statistics. This module is designed for graduate students in psychology who are developing their quantitative and qualitative statistical skills to an advanced level. The focus of the module is on acquiring the statistical and methodological skills necessary to complete a research project of publishable quality. The topics covered span quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. Teaching methods will include classroom lectures and computer laboratories.
Managing Change. This module examines the theory and process of managing change for the individual and the organisation. Strategies for change, resistance to change, developing interventions for change and evaluating change outcomes are explored in work and organisational, educational, counselling and clinical domains using experiential exercises, role play and structured experiences. A systems framework is used to examine the similarities across domains.
Research dissertation. Over the course of the year students work with a staff member to complete a research project. In keeping with the skills-based focus of the programme, the research is written up as a thesis but also in the form of a journal article that conforms to the publication style of an identified journal. Applicants are invited to look at the staff web pages to see the research areas of the School’s academic staff. In most cases students will work on one of their supervisor’s ongoing research projects.
Indicative Fees
Ireland and EU €7000
Non-EU €15,400
M Psych Sc fees for EU and Non-EU students can be found on the UCD Fees website under postgraduate programmes in the College of Human Sciences School of Psychology:
Entry Requirements
Candidates may apply for admission to the M Psych Sc if they have obtained, or expect to obtain, one of the following:
- At least an upper second class honours bachelor’s degree in Psychology recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or by the Psychology Society of the country in which the degree was awarded.
- At least an upper second class honours Higher Diploma in Psychology (conversion course) recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or by the psychology society of the country in which the degree was awarded.
Applications
Up to 20 students are admitted to the M Psych Sc each year. The closing date for applications for the M Psych Sc is 15th March 2013. Applicants in the first instance may contact Marie O'Connor marie.oconnor@ucd.ie to indicate their interest in applying for the M Psych Sc. Applicants may apply for the M Psych Sc through the UCD On Line Applications homepage or this link: APPLY NOW
Letters of offer will be sent to applicants within a month of the closing date for applications. Offers to final year undergraduate students will be made contingent on final degree results. Requests for references will be sent with the letters of offer.
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International Applications
Applications are welcome from graduates who majored in psychology. The Graduate Record Exam is not required but a minimum GPA of 3.4 applies. Each year a number of places are reserved for international applicants. Applications from international candidates are reviewed on an ongoing basis and applicants are advised of the outcome within two months of application.
International applicants in the first instance may contact Marie O'Connor at marie.oconnor@ucd.ie to indicate their interest in applying for the M Psych Sc. International applicants may apply for the M Psych Sc through the UCD On Line Applications homepage or this link: APPLY NOW
The following website provides general information for international students who wish to study at UCD: UCD International Teaching in Irish Universities is normally through the medium of English, therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in English language. Applicants whose first language is not English, and who are not presenting the subject English in a school-leaving examination which is at least of pass Leaving Certificate standard (e.g. GCSE grade C) must meet the minimum English Language Requirements in relation to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) specified at the following website: English language requirements
Contact
For further information about the M Psych Sc please contact Marie O'Connor at
or +353-1-716-8333
APPLY NOW