Educational & Child Psychology

Programme Overview

The Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology (DECPsy) is a highly sought-after three-year, full-time professional training course for applicants interested in pursuing a career as an educational psychologist. This course will equip applicants with the necessary competencies to work in a range of autonomous and collaborative professional roles that are performed by educational psychologists (EPs) in a variety of contexts and with a range of client groups. The overall aim of the DECPSY programme is to enable students to effectively integrate theory and practice and become skilled and accountable professional practitioners.



Key Features

The programme is sufficiently flexible in content and structure to adapt readily to current and future needs and to the emergence of new knowledge in educational psychology and related fields. Taught modules are typically delivered in four-day blocks over the first two years. In addition to taught modules, a variety of workshops and seminars are organised for trainees and delivered by experienced practitioners e.g. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Video Interactive Guidance, Dynamic Assessment. One day per week is normally assigned to study.



Over the three years, students develop their knowledge and understanding of the nature of research showing in depth understanding of the range of research orientations and methods used in educational and professional educational psychology research. Students are required to complete a research thesis which must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain material of a standard and form appropriate for peer-reviewed publication.



The programme utilises approaches to learning that are problem-based and collaborative. Learners will be provided with opportunities to construct knowledge in an active, collaborative manner by working through real-life case studies and examples, thereby linking psychological theory and research to professional practice. Those involved in the delivery of the programme recognise that they are engaging with adult professional learners and aim to employ methods that will afford adult learners a robust learning experience.

Programme Content

The programme is sufficiently flexible in content and structure to adapt readily to current and future needs and to the emergence of new knowledge in educational psychology and related fields. Taught modules are typically delivered in four-day blocks over the first two years. In addition to taught modules, a variety of workshops and seminars are organised for trainees and delivered by experienced practitioners e.g. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Video Interactive Guidance, Dynamic Assessment. One day per week is normally assigned to study.



The DECPsy programme is structured as follows:

Year 1 (90 ECTS)

Semester 1 (30 ECTS)

EPS733: Professional Skills and Issues in ECP (9 ECTS)

EPS734: Assessment, Formulation and Intervention in ECP 1 (9 ECTS)

EPS704: Research Methods (6 ECTS)

EPS736: Personal and Professional Development 1 (3 ECTS)

EPS737: Professional Placement 1 (3 ECTS)



Semester 2 (30 ECTS)

EPS738: Assessment, Formulation and Intervention in ECP 2 (9 ECTS)

EPS739: Research Project 1 (6 ECTS)

EPS740: Personal and Professional Development 2 (3 ECTS)

EPS741: Professional Placement 2 (12 ECTS)



Summer (30 ECTS)

EPS742: Research Project 2 (30 ECTS)



Year 2 (90 ECTS)

Semester 3 (30 ECTS)

EPS743: Advanced Theory and Practice in ECP 1 (9 ECTS)

EPS744: Research Project 3 (6 ECTS)

EPS745: Personal and Professional Development 3 (3 ECTS)

EPS746: Professional Placement 3: (12 ECTS)



Semester 4 (30 ECTS)

EPS747: Advanced Theory and Practice in ECP 2 (9 ECTS)

EPS748: Research Project 4 (6 ECTS)

EPS749: Personal and Professional Development 4 (3 ECTS)

EPS750: Professional Placement 4(12 ECTS)



Summer (30 ECTS)

EPS751: Research Project 5 (30 ECTS)



Year 3 (90 ECTS)

Semester 5 (30 ECTS)

EPS752: Research Project 6 (15 ECTS)

EPS753: Personal and Professional Development 5 (3 ECTS)

EPS754: Professional Placement 5: (12 ECTS)



Semester 6 (30 ECTS)

EPS755: Research Project 7 (12 ECTS)

EPS756: Personal and Professional Development 6 (3 ECTS)

EPS757: Professional Placement 6: (15 ECTS)



Summer (30 ECTS)

EPS758: Research Project 8(30 ECTS)

1. Academic Qualification

Applicants will have a minimum upper second class honours (2.1) degree in psychology or an equivalent qualification in psychology (e.g. HDip Psychology Conversion), recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or equivalent, as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership.



AND



2. Experiential Component

An equivalent of two year's relevant full-time experience working in the field of education, psychology or healthcare settings (Psychological Society of Ireland, 2022).



3. Interview

Short-listing of applicants for interview normally occurs. Applicants will be shortlisted on the basis of requirements 1 and 2 above. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. The selection panel will include members of the DECPsy team and where feasible, external stakeholder representatives. In judging applicants’ suitability, account will be taken of academic qualifications, professional and research experience, interpersonal skills and communication skills in addition to the quality of references provided. The selection panel will pay particular attention to the personal suitability of applicants to work with clients of all ages and with clients from diverse social, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. (PSI, 2022, p.17).



4. Garda Vetting

Successful applicants will be Garda vetted prior to final acceptance on to the course.



For English Language Requirements go to: https://www.mic.ul.ie/international/study-in-ireland/essential-information/english-language-requirements

How to Apply

Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology (DECPsy) Application Process 2026/2027.



The Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology (DECPsy) is now open for applications.



EU Applicants:

To apply please see "Application Weblink" above.



Closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday 23 January 2026.



Contact

Postgraduate Support, Faculty of Education

DECPSY@mic.ul.ie



Note: This programme is not open to applications from non-EU countries.

3 years full-time. Delivery Mode: Face-to-face with some online teaching (synchronous and asynchronous) and over 390 days on professional placement.

Professional Placement & Career Opportunities

Professional placements, at least 390 days, are organised in a variety of settings, for example Children’s Disability Network Teams, Primary Care Services, National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and specialist paediatric settings. Professional placements provide extensive opportunities for the exercise of a wide range of professional roles and competencies. Students typically attend placements for 4 days per week. Due to the funded nature of the Programme, placements may be located anywhere in Ireland. Trainees must be available to travel to placements beyond Limerick City. Application to the programme is considered acceptance by candidates that they are prepared to travel as such.



Graduates of the DECPsy will have knowledge of a broad range of psychological theory, evidence-based practice, method and research and will have the ability to apply psychological methods, insights and interventions to working autonomously or as part of multi-disciplinary teams, with a variety of clients in diverse contexts. Professional practice will be characterised by high ethical standards, competence to practice in a variety of professional contexts, and a disposition to work collaboratively with high levels of professional skill and up- to- date knowledge.



Graduates will be eligible to apply for Chartered Members of the Psychological Society of Ireland and for full membership of the Division of Educational Psychology.