Psychology Career Guidance

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of thought, emotion and behaviour. Psychologists examine the various aspects of human experience, such as human emotions, thoughts and actions. They apply their understanding of people in a variety of professional, including clinical, counselling, educational, organisational and academic settings.

Beginning Your Career

The first step to a career in psychology in Ireland is to study for a primary degree at honours level. Completion of an approved primary honours degree enables a student to become a graduate member of The Psychological Society of Ireland (P.S.I.). Further education and specialist training is then necessary to develop a career in psychology.

Undergraduate Courses in Psychology

In general, a primary degree in psychology requires three to four years’ study. Courses are designed to familiarise students with the topics and research skills required in psychology. These courses generally involve both the study of psychological theory and gaining practical experience of research methods. Typical components include:

• Biological basis of behaviour.

• Developmental and lifespan psychology.

• Cognitive psychology.

• Social psychology

• Personality and individual differences.

• Research design, quantitative and qualitative methods

Please bear in mind that new courses may be introduced in the future.

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Using an undergraduate degree in psychology

Whether a graduate decides to continue their training in psychology or not, a primary degree in psychology is a valuable qualification. It combines high levels of both literacy and numeracy, experience in working both individually and within a group, as well as planning projects and reflecting on aspects of theory.

During the course of an undergraduate degree in psychology, students acquire a variety of academic skills, such as the ability to read critically and write essays, design and carry out research, analyse data and understand numbers, listen to and understand lectures, use the library and a range of information databases and appreciate ethical issues. Students will also develop a number of other skills including working in teams, listening to other people, presenting complex arguments, tackling new areas, planning and carrying out individual projects and meeting deadlines.

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Accreditation of Undergraduate Degrees in Psychology

Completion of an accredited degree confers eligibility for graduate membership of P.S.I.

This list is revised on a regular basis. At any time, other courses are under consideration by the Undergraduate Accreditation Committee on behalf of the Council of the Psychological Society of Ireland. All final decisions regarding accreditation are made by Council of the Society.

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Developing Your Career

Postgraduate study

Once a student has completed a primary degree in psychology, there is a wide range of options for further study, depending on the area in which they wish to specialise. Completion of postgraduate studies takes between 2 – 3 years.

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is the application of psychological theories, models and research to a range of psychological, psychiatric, mental health and developmental problems. Clinical psychologists provide a variety of services including assessment, therapy, and consultancy services. They work primarily, but not exclusively in child and/or adult and learning disability services where emotional, behavioural, psychiatric or developmental difficulties are addressed.

In order to become a clinical psychologist, an accredited honours undergraduate degree where psychology is the major subject is required. Completion of a recognised postgraduate training programme in clinical psychology is then necessary. You can enhance your chances of achieving a place on such a programme by achieving a high grade at undergraduate level (minimum 2.1 grade) and obtaining further research or academic experience relevant to the field of clinical psychology. This can be by way of voluntary or paid work.

Courses are currently offered by

• National University of Ireland, Galway
• University College Dublin
• University of Dublin, Trinity College
• University of Limerick
• Queen’s University Belfast
  
  Click here to visit the Clinical Divsion homepage

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Counselling Psychology

Counselling psychology, as a psychological speciality, facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, and developmental concerns. Therefore counselling psychologists can be found working in such diverse areas as schools and colleges, industrial workplaces and health services. Counselling psychology encompasses a broad range of practices that help people improve their well being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to live more highly functioning lives. Counselling psychologists work with people who have experienced a range of emotional and psychological difficulties. These include problems of identity and bereavement, relationship problems, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

In order to become a counselling psychologist, an accredited honours undergraduate degree where psychology is the major subject is required. Completion of an accredited postgraduate training programme in counselling psychology is then required. You can enhance your chances of achieving a place on such a programme by achieving a high grade at undergraduate level and demonstrating an interest in the area through research relevant to counselling psychology. It is also useful to gain experience of working with people in a therapeutic setting and to engage in personal development work.

Courses are currently offered by:

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Educational Psychology

Educational psychologists deal with the psychological and educational development of people in the education system. This may include students of any age, their parents or guardians and the people who work with them. Their work can involve both assessment and intervention within the education setting. They are also likely to be involved in training and research on related issues.

In order to become an educational psychologist a primary degree in psychology is required. You also need to complete a training course in educational psychology, preferably at Masters level. You can enhance your chances of achieving a place on such a programme by gaining a teacher qualification or teaching experience, or experience working with young people in an educational setting. Working with students with disabilities would also be helpful.

Courses are currently offered by:

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Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychologists work in a variety of areas including prisons, probation services, special secure hospitals, rehabilitation units and in private practice. Responsibilities include the assessment of offenders prior to sentencing, management of offenders during sentence and in the community upon release, risk assessment and sex offender treatment programmes. Forensic psychologists also act as expert witnesses and give evidence in court.

This is a growing area in psychology and in order to become a forensic psychologist, candidates must have a primary degree in psychology and an accredited Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology.

Courses are offered by:

• University College Cork
  Click here to visit the Division of Forensic Psychology homepage
  

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Health Psychology

Health psychology involves an examination of the way in which biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness. Health psychologists are concerned with studying the relationship between psychological factors (e.g. proneness to hostility), social/psychological factors (e.g., psychological stress) and illness (e.g., heart disease). Areas of practice include health risk behaviours and developing better ways of helping people to change their behaviours. Health psychologists are also involved in helping individuals to improve their health or to cope with chronic illness or unpleasant medical procedures. This is another growing area in psychology and a limited number of courses are available in Ireland and the UK.

In order to become a health psychologist, a primary degree in psychology is required. Following this, postgraduate training in Health Psychology is necessary. It is also possible to complete a research Masters or Ph.D. specifically in an area of health psychology and this can help develop a career in the area. You can enhance your chances of achieving a place on such a programme by gaining research and work experience in health settings.

Courses are offered by:

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Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is the scientific study of brain-behaviour relationships, and the clinical application of that knowledge to human problems. A clinical neuropsychologist is a professional psychologist who applies principles of assessment and intervention, based upon the scientific study of human behaviour as it relates to normal and abnormal functioning of the central nervous system.

Currently there are no professional training courses in neuropsychology in Ireland, although a range of courses are available in the UK. Universities hosting such course include the University of Edinburgh, University of Essex, Institute of Neurology, London, University of Manchester, University of Nottingham, Oxford Brookes University and University College London. It is also possible to complete a postgraduate degree by research in the area of neuropsychology and this can help develop a career in the area.

Click here to visit the Special Interest Group in Neuropsychology homepage

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Organisational Psychology

Organisational psychology involves the study of human behaviour in the workplace. It is also referred to as industrial or occupational psychology. Organisational psychologists recognise the importance of relationships between individuals, organisations, and society. They deal with issues and problems involving people at work by serving as advisors in a variety of organisations.

In order to become an organisational psychologist, a primary degree in psychology is required, followed by postgraduate training in organisational or occupational psychology. You can enhance your chances of achieving a place on such a programme by obtaining at least a 2.1 in your undergraduate degree and gaining work experience in companies’ human resource departments. Additional training in communication skills or psychometrics and research experience in a relevant area can also be beneficial.

Courses are offered by:

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Sports (and Exercise) Psychology

Sport and exercise psychology is the scientific study of the psychological factors that are associated with participation and performance in sport, exercise and other types of physical activity. Sport psychologists are interested in two main areas: (a) helping athletes use psychological principles to achieve optimal mental health and to improve performance (performance enhancement), and (b) understanding how participation in sport, exercise, and physical activity affects an individual's psychological development, health and well-being throughout the life span.

There are currently no courses in sports psychology in Ireland, but it is possible to complete a postgraduate degree by research in an area of sports psychology and this can help you to develop a career in the area.

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Cyberpsychology

Cyberpsychology is the study of the human mind and behaviour in the context of human-technology interaction. It encompasses all psychological phenomena that are associated with or impacted by emerging technology. Cyberpsychology studies human interactions with other emerging technologies, including the internet, mobile computing, mobile phones, PDAs, games consoles, virtual reality, digital media and any other technology which has demonstrated an ability to alter human behaviours. It considers the impact of evolving trends, such as technological convergence, on individuals. Cyberpsychology also examines human interactions with less ubiquitous technologies, such as cyborgs and artificial intelligence.

Courses are offered by:

• Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dun Laoghaire

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Research and Academic Psychology

The term ‘research and academic psychology’ refers to a broad range of professionals working in very diverse areas. Psychologists who specialise in research carry out investigations on a wide range of topics. They also design experiments, surveys, field observations etc. They statistically analyse the collected data, usually by computer, and interpret the results in the light of previous research on the topic. They convey their findings to the national and international scientific community by publishing them in academic journals and at conferences.
Lecturers in psychology teach students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, through formal lectures, informal seminars and interactive tutorials. They prepare lecture courses, design practical course work and assess students’ attainment through coursework and examinations. Lecturers are usually also active as researchers or as psychologists in one or other of the professional psychology areas.

In order to become a research or academic psychologist, an accredited honours undergraduate degree with psychology as the major subject is required. Following this, additional research experience or qualifications will be necessary, for example a Masters Degree or Ph.D. You can enhance your chances of achieving a place on such a programme by getting experience teaching psychology, perhaps as a tutor during the course of postgraduate study. Many lecturers have their early teaching experience during the course of their postgraduate study. Attendance at conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals always add to a CV

Courses are offered by:

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Other Relevant Courses

National University of Ireland, Galway: Higher Diploma in Psychology
The Higher Diploma in Psychology (Conversion) is a one-year full-time course designed to articulate with the NUI Galway BA in Psychological Studies or equivalent. By combining this one-year Higher Diploma in Psychology with the three-year BA in Psychological Studies, students will have covered course content equivalent to that of the Department’s single honours programme

Open University: Diploma in Psychology
This diploma is for people who already have a degree but have not yet studied enough psychology to entitle them to the British Psychological Society's Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR). Applicants must have a UK degree or a recognised non-UK equivalent. The courses required depend on the psychology content of previous degree(s). As OU degrees are accredited by the BPS, applications for PSI membership based on OU qualifications are currently considered on an individual basis.

University College Cork: Higher Diploma in Psychology
This course can be taken either full-time for one year or part-time for two years. Applicants generally have at least a second-class honours degree, which includes at least half an academic year of psychology. Applicants who do not have the required experience in psychology can be admitted to the programme but will have their entry delayed for one year while they complete a specified programme of study.

University College Dublin: Higher Diploma in Psychology
The course is a two-year full-time diploma. Application is open to non-psychology graduates who hold an honours degree and have some relevant work experience. The course includes lectures, seminars, practical work and a research thesis, and is assessed though examination and course work (including thesis). This course is recognised as being equivalent to a BA/BSc in psychology.

University of Ulster at Jordanstown: M.Sc. in Applied Psychology
This course is taken full-time for 12 months or part-time for 24 months. Applicants should possess at least an upper 2nd class honours degree. Experience in the application of psychology will also be considered. As part of the course, students are expected to complete two compulsory modules, six optional modules and a dissertation. Although the course is generic in nature, by appropriate selection of modules, students can focus their studies in a number of areas.

University of Dublin, Trinity College: Higher Diploma in Psychology
This course will be full time based on two academic years, with an intake each year. The diploma is targeted at people who already have an honours degree and who would like to enter the field of psychology, particularly with a view to further professional study. Applicants must be graduates of TCD or of another recognised university and must have obtained at least 2nd class honours in their primary degree. The course has been designed to confer eligibility for graduate membership of the relevant professional body and entitle graduates to apply for admission to any postgraduate training course in psychology. It can provide direct access to a career in psychology.

European Diploma in Psychology

For further information please see www.europsy.eu.com