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University College Cork

Psychology - Applied Psychology

Course Outline
The MA in Applied Psychology gives you an advanced understanding of the discipline of psychology in applied settings. The course is designed to help you appreciate the potential and values of applied psychology, think critically about psychological theory and practice and give you the opportunity to explore your own particular interests.

Applied psychologists use research and theory to analyse real-world situations, develop appropriate interventions, and evaluate outcomes. The course has strong links with community-based partners working with children, families and communities. The course will enable you to pursue postgraduate professional training opportunities, and to pursue a variety of career paths where psychological expertise is needed.

Successful applicants to the MA in Applied Psychology are eligible to be considered for the Ann Moloney Bursary, sponsored by Enable Ireland.

Who teaches this course

The MA in Applied Psychology is delivered by staff from the School of Applied Psychology in the main. Contributions are also made from other professional / voluntary bodies where appropriate.

Why Choose This Course

The MA in Applied Psychology will appeal to psychology graduates who want to pursue a professional career or take further professional postgraduate training in psychology. The particular strength of this course lies in its applied ethos. Graduates from the MA have found their placement and research experiences to be particularly beneficial in supporting their successful application to specific professional education courses in psychology.

Placement or Study Abroad Information
Students on the MA in Applied Psychology have the opportunity to gain relevant work experience through the six-month placement module (AP6111).

Entry requirements

A 2H1 degree in psychology that satisfies the eligibility requirements of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) (or non-Irish equivalent).

In exceptional cases, where for example an applicant has relevant work experience or has performed impressively in another masters degree, a 2H2 degree may be considered. In such cases, the student should set out the grounds upon which they wish to be considered in their application.

COMPLETING statement questions as part of the online applications process for this programme. A copy of these online statement questions are available to view here: CKE13AdditionalQuestions (92kB)

Eligible candidates may be interviewed. Selection from amongst eligible candidates will be made according to the following criteria:
i) Academic performance;
ii) Research capacity;
iii) Commitment to the area of applied psychology.

Note: A minimum intake of 10 students will be required to run this programme.

UCC requires all students on the MA in Applied Psychology to undergo garda vetting.

For all applicants whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL equivalent is required. Further information on English Language Requirements can be found at http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/how/

If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please click here to view the grades comparison table by country and for details of recognised English language tests.

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

Duration

1 year full-time.

This is a one-year full-time course. Lectures take place on Monday- Wednesday inclusive. A placement, which is a non-compulsory module (AP6153), is considered a unique learning experience that will give you workplace experience over a six-month period. Please note that placements are not guaranteed for every student.

There may be travel costs associated with module AP6153, a non-compulsory placement module."

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (NFQ Level 9, Major award)

Students who have completed and passed modules to the value of at least 60 credits in Part I and who do not wish to proceed to Part II may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology.

Careers or further progression

Skills and Careers Information

On completion of this course you have:
The ability to critically appraise psychological research and practice in a range of settings
Advanced knowledge of the professional and ethical issues that may arise in the application of psychology
An adequate level of competence in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues
Skills in planning and implementing an effective research course

Further competencies developed through this course include interview, assessment, communication and presentation skills.

Further enquiries

School of Applied Psychology
infoapsych@ucc.ie
+ 353 21 490 4552
http://www.ucc.ie/calendar/postgraduate/Masters/arts/page93.html

Dr. Sharon Lambert
sharon.lambert@ucc.ie
00 353 21 4904594

Subjects taught

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I
Core Modules
Students take 30 credits as follows:
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)
AP6023 Psychological Assessment (5 credits)
AP6112 Critical Issues in Applying Psychology (5 credits)
AP6173 Service Design and Evaluation (10 credits)

Elective Modules
Students take 20 credits from the following:
AN4009 Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience (5 credits)
AN4012 Medical Imaging and Biomedical Devices in the Neurosciences (5 credits)
AP3015 Forensic Psychology (5 credits)
AP3110 Psychological Therapies (5 credits)
AP6116 Coaching and Positive Psychology (5 credits)
AP6128 Introduction to Psychotherapeutic Skills (5 credits)
AP6129 Health Psychology (5 credits)
AP6142 People and Technology (5 credits)
AP6153 Placement (15 credits)
AP6174 Clinical Presentations (Child, Adolescent, Adult, and ID) (10 credits)
AP6176 Cognitive Enhancement (5 credits)
AP6178 Psychological Principles and Skills in Working with Children and Families (5 credits)

(Electives may be subject to minor changes. AP6153 Placement is offered each year).

Part II
AP6137 Dissertation in Applied Psychology (30 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
Students who have completed and passed modules to the value of at least 60 credits in Part I and who do not wish to proceed to Part II may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology.

Further details on the content and modules are available in the: Postgraduate College Calendar

THE ANN MOLONEY BURSARY

Successful applicants to the MA in Applied Psychology are eligible to be considered for the Ann Moloney Bursary, sponsored by Enable Ireland, which acknowledges the contribution made by Ann Moloney in linking UCC psychology graduates to the applied work setting. Ann worked for over 30 years as a lecturer in the Applied Psychology Department at UCC and also as Principal Psychologist at Enable Ireland Cork. Enable Ireland is a national organisation that provides a range of services including therapy, intervention and support services for children and adults with a physical disability. The Bursary, to the value of 1,000, will provide an opportunity for a psychology graduate to avail of a part-time work placement in the psychology department at Enable Ireland Cork, a placement-linked honorarium, and a parchment which is awarded at the UCC Scholarships and Prizes day.

The Bursary is awarded through an Interview Process in the School of Applied Psychology, which is completed as part of the Placement Process. Students who apply for an interview with Enable Ireland as their top choice of placement will be considered for the award.

**All Applicants please note: modules listed in the course outline above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course, but these are subject to change from year to year. Please check the college calendar for the full academic content of any given course for the current year.

In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools and departments.

Assessment method

A variety of assessment methods are incorporated into the MA in Applied Psychology. These include essays, research funding applications, portfolios, reports, class tests, research proposals, journal of learning, class presentations, research thesis, taped practice work with transcript and analysis.

Application date

Closing dates

Closing Dates for Application

Applications for 2018 start dates will open on November 1st 2017.

EU Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught programmes (detailed below).

Some programmes have a specific closing date. Applicants are advised to consult with the postgraduate prospectus for programmes with a specific closing date.

The UCC rounds EU application system closing dates for Postgraduate Taught courses are detailed below. However, we would advise applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: Offers will be made:
For all completed applications received by January 15th 2018 Offers will be made by January 29th 2018

For all completed applications received by March 1st 2018 Offers will be made by March 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2018
Offers will be made by May 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by July 2nd 2018
Offers will be made by July 16th 2018

Late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity for places.

While there is no official closing date for Research courses applicants are advised to submit their application at least two months ahead of their proposed start date. There are four official Research start dates September/October, January, April and July.

Non-EU Applicants:

Please visit the following page for further information for Non EU applicants http://www.ucc.ie/en/international/studyatucc/postgraduateprogrammes/tau...