Environmental Psychology

In addition to expert contributions from a range of sub-disciplines in psychology (e.g. cognitive, health, clinical, and research) contributions from geography, biology, digital marketing and environmental science are integral to the programme.

The recognition of the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and the UN Sustainable Development Goals provide an appropriate global backdrop to this programme. Key topics include social and climate justice, nature-based therapies and mental health, nature-based solutions and sustainability, ecological and personal thriving, and innovation in our assessment of the environment as a facilitator, shaper and consequence of human behaviours. The Masters also ‘puts environmental psychology in its place’ locally; highlighting the unique Maynooth Green Campus initiative and other natural assets including the Royal Canal Greenway. EU projects SHAPES on health and smart ageing and GoGreenRoutes on urban health are among the interlinked activities that offer opportunities for knowledge-sharing.

Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory
ADVANCED TOPICS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY PS634 10 2 Compulsory
APPLIED RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY PS633 10 1 Compulsory
CLASSIC STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY PS649 5 1 Not compulsory
CULTURE, HEALTH AND PLACE GY336 5 2 Not compulsory
CULTURE, HEALTH AND PLACE GY699HJ 5 2 Not compulsory
FIELD SCHOOL GY607 10 1 Not compulsory
FUNDAMENTALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY PS632 10 1 Compulsory
IMPACTING GLOBAL HEALTH SYSTEMS PS607 5 2 Not compulsory
PSYCHOLOGY RIGHTS AND WRONGS PS653 5 1 Not compulsory
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SPATIAL JUSTICE GY619 10 2 Not compulsory
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH APPROACHES FOR PSYCHOLOGY PS657 5 2 Not compulsory
RESEARCH PROJECT IN ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY PS637 30 Year-Long Compulsory
RESEARCH SEMINARS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY PS636 5 Year-Long Compulsory
SMART AND HEALTHY AGEING ENVIRONMENTS PS635 5 2 Compulsory
SPATIAL JUSTICE: GEOGRAPHIES OF SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE GY629 10 2 Not compulsory
STATISTICAL & QUANTITATIVE APPROACHES FOR PSYCHOLOGY PS652 10 1 Not compulsory

Note: Students cannot take GY336 and GY699HJ.

Applicants will be required to have a 2.1 in primary degree in cognate subject (not confined to psychology). The programme is suitable for those with a primary degree in psychology or related subjects, but open to applicants from across environmental, human and health sciences and related domains.
Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.
National University of Ireland Maynooth’s TOEFL code is 8850

Closing Date : 30 June 2024

1 year

Career options:
Diverse job opportunities for environmental psychology graduates might include teaching, consulting or research in areas such as, sustainability science, workplace well-being, green architecture, urban planning landscape architecture, environmental design, nature-based enterprises, community development or restoration. Additional opportunities may be available with government agencies, non-profit organizations or wildlife and forest conservatories.