Overview
Career in Psychology
Psychology is one of the most exciting and interesting subjects available in third level education. It is the study of human behaviour in all its forms normal and abnormal, natural and learned, productive and destructive. It is a modern and progressive area of study, which with a 150-year history, is currently experiencing unprecedented growth and development in Ireland and internationally.
Professional psychologists work in almost every sphere of contemporary life. Psychology contributes to the design of our classrooms and what takes place in them. Psychology teaches employers the best ways to select and motivate employees. Psychology provides crucial insight into the background of social problems such as suicide, addiction and child abuse. They help coaches to train athletes, help the police to investigate crime, help managers to reduce stress in the workplace and help the health services to design effective health promotion campaigns (for example, anti-smoking and safe driving campaigns).
Aims & Objectives
The general programme aims are as follows:
To provide learners with the opportunity to develop, deepen and expand their theoretical knowledge of Psychology.
To equip learners with the knowledge, skills and competence required to progress in specialist and applied areas of Psychology.
To facilitate in learners a critical knowledge of the main domains of the empirical study of Psychology.
To develop in learners a critical awareness of the contribution of Psychology to understanding human behaviour and experience.
To allow learners to engage in advanced theoretical debates relevant to the understanding of contemporary issues in society.
To give learners an opportunity to access specific and sufficient areas of study to permit them to access relevant further professional recognition.
In order to be eligible for PSI Graduate Membership, students must pass the independent research psychology project, and gain at least a Lower Second Class Honours degree, or its equivalent (i.e. an overall pass mark of at least 50 per cent for conversion programmes).
Course Content
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Core Modules
Psychological Foundations
Social Psychology 1
Biopsychology 1
Developmental Psychology 1
Cognitive Psychology 1
Psychology Learning Lab
Individual Differences 1
Introduction to Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious
Research Technique and Analysis 1
Positive Psychology
Core Modules
Cognitive Psychology 2
Developmental Psychology 2
Biopsychology 2
Social Psychology 2
Psychology in Action 1
Ethical Research Methods and Design
Research Technique and Analysis 2
Individual Differences 2
Psychical Structures in the Clinic of Psychoanalysis
Experimental Psychology
Twelve elective modules are available to learners at Award Stage. Learners are free to choose any combination of elective modules as facilitated by the timetable design, although these have been organised into clusters of three modules, two clusters per semester, in order to enhance mutual learning opportunities through meaningful combinations. Psychoanalysis elective modules may only be selected if prerequisite modules at Stage 1 and Stage 2 have been completed successfully.
Teaching and Assessment
Throughout the course some modules are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and end of year examinations, or by continuous assessment alone. Continuous assessment will vary in style and purpose from module to module, depending upon the nature of the subject material and the teaching and learning objectives of the module. Assessments may include essays, multiple choice questionnaire, in-class exam, oral presentation, group work, and poster presentations.
Please note when teaching the corresponding software used on this programme, the lecture notes and materials are for the Windows operating system. Although the software may work on some other operating systems, the programmes are optimised for use on a Windows operating system.
Awarding Body and NFQ Level
As part of our ongoing obligation to quality assurance for QQI and PSI, DBS will carry out reviews and submit the programme for re-approval as required. This means that there may be changes to programme content or delivery during your programme of study. If this does occur, DBS will carefully consider all transition arrangements to ensure consistency for learners.
CORU Recognition
CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator whose role is to protect the public through regulating the health and social care professions listed in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended). It includes the Health and Social Care Professionals Council and the Registration Boards established under the Act 2005 (as amended).
The BA (Hons)/Higher Diploma in Psychology does not currently fall under CORU for the purposes of recognition to the profession. However, learners should be aware that CORU is currently preparing to regulate the psychology profession for all higher education institutions and is taking a phased approach.
Structure
The full-time BA (Hons) in Psychology is a 3 year programme. The degree is divided into three stages. All content in Stages 1 and 2 is mandatory, while there are elective modules in addition to mandatory content in Stage 3.
In Stage 1, students undertake introductory subjects that are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of core disciplines to provide a platform for more advanced study.
In Stage 2, students take subjects that build on the Stage 1 foundation and further develop student knowledge and understanding.
In Stage 3, students take subjects intended to develop understanding of applied areas and key subjects. Furthermore, students also undertake a research project under the guidance of a supervisor.
This programme is taught on a hybrid basis. This means learners are timetabled either in-class or online, in a mix of online and in-class days.
A postgraduate qualification is normally required if graduates are to find work as professional psychologists. Such courses are normally at the level of Masters degree or Higher Diploma, and usually are of 1-2 years duration. The full range of specialist areas described below can be studied. Graduates are also eligible to undertake many postgraduate courses and/or research in related areas such as social and cultural studies or health sciences.
Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychologists work in health settings, engaging in diagnostic and therapeutic work with people with conditions such as schizophrenia and major depression. They often work in teams alongside other health professionals, including social workers, psychiatrists and doctors, in order to tailor treatment that best serves the needs of the patients.
Counselling Psychology
Counselling psychologists work with people who have emotional and psychological difficulties in their daily lives, seeking to guide, support and advise people through their problems. They can work in health settings and in other institutions (such as schools) or they can work in private practice seeing members of the general public.
Educational Psychology
Educational psychologists often work with schools under government or local authority supervision, assisting students with learning, emotional, behavioural or other difficulties through Child Psychology. Some educational psychologists work at the highest levels of the education system,designing and reforming the national curriculum to make it more effective, fairer and more useful to students and students and society. Others specialise in related areas such as special needs or adult education.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychologists often work in the Prison Service. However, forensic psychologists may also work in the health service (including rehabilitation units and secure hospitals), the social service (including An Garda Siochana and young offender units) and in university departments or in private consultancy. Forensic psychologists also act as expert witnesses and give evidence in court around forensic psychology.
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