Psychology Conversion Course

Program Overview

The Psychology Conversion Course is a two-year program that provides a pre-professional qualification equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, it covers core areas of psychology and prepares students for postgraduate education and professional specialization. The program emphasizes research skills, ethical considerations, and practical experience through coursework, exams, and an empirical investigation. It is designed for individuals with a primary degree in any discipline who seek a career in or using psychology.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Psychology Conversion Course is a two-year full-time program designed to provide a pre-professional qualification equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. It is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and allows students to proceed to postgraduate education, including higher degrees by research, and to specialize in an area of professional psychology. The course aims to provide an understanding of the nature of psychology as a profession, the psychologist's professional responsibilities, standards of performance, and ethical issues; to enable students to acquire advanced knowledge in relevant areas within psychology; to extend skills in formulating research problems, gathering and analyzing data, interpreting and communicating research findings; and to help students explore their own interests and capacities in the field and to prepare them for further training.

Outline:

The program covers the following areas of psychology, as required by the professional accreditation body, the Psychological Society of Ireland:

• Biological basis of behavior
• Cognitive psychology
• Research design, quantitative & qualitative methods
• Developmental and lifespan psychology
• Social psychology
• Personality and individual differences
Students attend a range of foundation and advanced modules during the two years of the course. Foundation Modules include:
• Foundations of Psychological Thought
• Cognition
• Fundamentals of Neuroscience and Behavior
• Developmental Psychology
• Perception
• Social Psychology
• Psychological Disorder
• Personality and Individual Differences
A range of advanced modules is offered each year, and over the two years of the course, students must take at least one module from each required area (biological, cognitive, social, development, personality, and individual differences). In addition, in both Years 1 and 2, students are required to take modules in practicals, methodology and statistics, and in academic skills tutorials. Students in Year 2 are required to carry out an empirical investigation of a psychological topic or question under the supervision of a member of the academic staff in the School.

Assessment:

Students are evaluated by coursework assessment throughout the year, by written examination papers at the end of each year of the course, and by the research project in the second year.

Teaching:

The program is taught by active researchers, and students are encouraged to get involved with the many research groupings in the School. Small group academic tutorials are provided to assist students in their introduction to the academic discipline of psychology as a whole.

Careers:

The course provides a rigorous and comprehensive primary training to prepare students to take the next step towards a career in or using psychology.

Other:

The program is designed to welcome students with a primary degree in any discipline and an interest in and passion for psychology. It is suitable for those looking to change careers and pursue psychology professionally.