The UCD School of Psychology offers a one year Masters in Psychological Science (M.Psych.Sc.) for students with a good bachelor’s degree in Psychology. The programme is designed to meet the needs of graduates who are seeking to develop the skills that will support them to enter further training in the professional areas of their choice within psychology.
The programme comprises 90 credits (60 taught + 30 credit thesis) and runs for a calendar year (September to August). The focus of the learning outcomes for all modules is on the acquisition of skills for professional practice. Brief details of each of the modules offered in 2011/12 are indicated below (modules may vary from year to year):
Level A/Level B Competence in Occupational Testing (10 credits)
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 (10 credits)
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 (10 credits)
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 (10 credits)
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 (10 credits)
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 will be on acquiring the statistical and methodological skills necessary to complete a research project of publishable quality. The topics covered will span quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. Teaching methods will include classroom lectures and computer laboratories.
Managing Change (10 credits)
This module will examine 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 will be explored in work and organisational, educational, counselling and clinical domains using experiential exercises, role play and structured experiences. A systems framework will be used to examine the similarities across domains.
Research dissertation (30 credits)
Over the course of the year students will work with a staff member to complete a research project. In keeping with the skills-based focus of the programme, the research will be 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 should look at the staff web pages to see the research areas of the School’s academic staff. In most cases students will work on an ongoing research project.
Admission 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 are welcome from graduates from Canada and the USA who majored in Psychology. The Graduate Record Exam is not required but a minimum GPA of 3.4 applies.
The M.Psych.Sc. programme is suitable for:
• Students intending to pursue further professional training in clinical, counselling, educational or work and organisational psychology.
• Students intending to continue their training in research by completing a Ph.D.
• Students who wish to develop their skills in psychology in practice.
Application details and further information
Applications are made through the UCD graduate admission system. Or by clicking the ‘Apply now’ link below. The closing date is March 15th 2012. Letters of offer will be sent to applicants by April 5th 2012. 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.
Administrator:
Marie O'Connor at 716 8333 or email marie.oconnor@ucd.ie
Academic coordinator:
Eilis Hennessy eilis.hennessy@ucd.ie
Indicative fees:
Ireland/EU: €7,000
Non-EU: €15,400
For details of fees for 2012/13 see: http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/