Psychology - Conversion Course

Overview

The Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology is for graduates who wish to pursue a professional career or postgraduate study in psychology but who don't hold an honours degree in psychology.



The course enables students to study key areas of psychology in a thriving research environment and, through a supervised research dissertation, explore practical issues of interest and relevance to a range of theoretical and occupational fields. Students will develop a firm knowledge base in psychology and gain experience of the research process that will build upon the skills and knowledge that they have already acquired in earlier studies. The Higher Diploma represents the necessary first step to becoming a professional psychologist. Upon successful completion of the Higher Diploma, depending upon the final grade, graduates will be eligible to apply to enter postgraduate training courses in their chosen specialisation and ultimately gain employment in their area of expertise.



Students will be encouraged to consider entering their own analysis as a fundamental requirement for engagement with this field.



Psychology Conversion Course

Designed for Our Higher Diploma in Psychology gives graduates of unrelated degrees the opportunity to study an intensive course in the discipline, this then offers the opportunity to progress in a course that results in being a qualified psychologist.



Key Features of the Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology

• Designed for non psychology graduates and those seeking to pursue a professional career or postgraduate study in psychology

• The programme is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) - the professional body for Psychologists in Ireland

• The Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology is an internationally recognised programme that allows application for graduate membership of relevant psychological societies including the British Psychological Society (BPS)

• The course is of particular interest to those who wish to enhance their current work practices e.g. Health and social care professionals, teachers, HR Managers, Voluntary and Community sector workers and many more

• It is also of interest to those who would like to develop their skills and knowledge in the field of Psychology

• The course represents the first necessary step to becoming a

professional Psychologist

• Successful graduates may apply to enter postgraduate training courses in their chosen specialisation and ultimately gain employment in their area of expertise



Structure

The Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology extends over 2 academic years of full-time study, or 2 academic years of part-time study.



In year 1, students undertake the study of 8 mandatory subjects that are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of core areas and disciplines and to provide a platform for more advanced study at year 2.



In year 2, students undertake a further 7 mandatory subjects that build on the year 1 foundation and further develop students understanding of applied areas and key subjects of Psychology. Furthermore, students also undertake a mandatory research project under the guidance of a supervisor.



On a part-time basis students will attend classes two evenings per week from 6.15pm-9.30pm and may opt to study a maximum of 4 modules per semester.



Advice and confirmation of module selection will be made available to students before course commencement.



The programme will be taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, study skills workshops, practical laboratory work and field study work.



PSI Accredited

The Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology is accredited by The Psychological Society of Ireland, the professional body for psychology in Ireland. As such, it seeks to promote the science and profession of psychology in Ireland and beyond. PSI membership now stands at over 2000 members, and includes practitioners, educators and researchers, professionals and postgraduate students, as well as undergraduate degree holders.



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).



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.



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.

The Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology programme has the following content:

Year 1

• History and Schools in Psychology

• Research Technique and Analysis

• Foundations in Developmental and Social Psychology

• Ethical Research Methods and Design

• Cognitive Psychology

• Behaviour Analysis



Year 2

• Personality and Individual Differences

• Psychological Disorders

• Human Performance

• Health Psychology

• Biopsychology

• Advanced Developmental and Social Psychology

• Research Project

To be considered for admission, applicants must hold:

• A primary honours degree award of at least pass level in a non-cognate discipline from a recognised third level institution, or equivalent qualification.

• An IELTS score of a minimum 6.0 or equivalent, where full-time study has been conducted in a language other than English or applicants whose first language is not English.

We are now accepting applications for programmes taking place in 2025.

Throughout the course some modules are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and 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, short-answer in-class exam, oral presentation, group work and poster presentations. Examinations are typically held in January and late April/ early May.

2 Years



Delivery

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.

Next intake: September 2025

Career Opportunities

This programme is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), the professional body for psychology in Ireland. DBS was the first college outside the university sector to receive accreditation from the Psychological Society of Ireland.



Graduates may progress to postgraduate training or professional training within psychology. In addition, students will be equipped with the specialised knowledge and skills that will enable them to pursue successful, responsible, and useful careers in a number of areas of employment relating to Psychology.



The Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology is an internationally recognised programme that allows application for graduate membership of relevant psychological societies including the British Psychological Society (BPS). 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).