YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY BRIAN MOONEY.
I have had an interest in studying psychology for some time now. Although I am only taking my Leaving Certificate in 2007, I would be like to find out as much as I can at this stage. Can you help?
Psychology is an extremely popular choice. For this reason, points can be very high, and many students end up being disappointed. Many colleges will allow students to take psychology in year one of an arts degree, but will only allow small numbers to progress beyond that stage, due to the number of places they are allowed to offer by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).
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, 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 PSI. 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 of 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.
Accredited courses
These are currently offered by American College Dublin, DBS School of Arts, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design Technology, National University of Ireland, Galway, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, The Open University, Queen's University Belfast, University College Cork, University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, University of Ulster - Magee, and Coleraine campuses.
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 PSI. The council of the society makes all final decisions regarding accreditation.
If you want to identify which courses in these colleges offer psychology log onto www.qualifax.ie, click on courses, click on CAO, and enter the word psychology into the search field. You will get a complete list. You can then click on any of the courses identified to explore that course and college in detail, including its current subject and points entry requirements.
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 literacy and numeracy, experience in working 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.
Alternative entry routes
Finally, if you do secure the points required, for entry to an undergraduate psychology degree programme, all is not lost. Many colleges offer excellent one-year postgraduate Master's programmes in psychology, which allow students who have completed their undergraduate programmes in other disciplines, to progress onto a career in psychology.
