Program Overview

Overview of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is a three-year, full-time program that provides intensive and systematic training in clinical psychology. The program is designed to equip students with the skills to respond flexibly to the changing demands of the Irish health and related services. The course holds P.S.I. Accreditation and is structured to link theory and practice, informed by the reflective scientist practitioner philosophy of integrated training in research methods, academic knowledge, and clinical experience.

Course Structure

The course is structured so that academic teaching typically takes place in term time for one and a half days per week. In addition, each placement is preceded by a teaching block of approximately four weeks duration. Students complete six clinical placements during the course, each approximately five months in duration, providing knowledge, skills, and experience to work with as wide a range of clients as possible. Research training is continuous across the program.

Course Requirements

• Continuous clinical assessment
• Examinations
• A research portfolio combining reports of clinical activity, research projects, and demonstrating research competency across a range of methodologies
• Progress on the course is assessed by an end-of-year review

Course Content

The course comprises three major components: research training, academic training, and clinical placements. Students currently spend approximately 55% of course time on clinical placement. The remainder is divided between the taught academic program and research activity. The academic program consists of fourteen academic modules over three years.

Modules

• Adult Clinical Psychology
• Psychotherapeutic Skills and Practice
• Research Methods and Statistics
• Placement Theory and Practice
• Advanced Issues in Clinical Psychology
• Psychotherapeutic Skills and Practice
• Clinical Psychology and Intellectual Disability
• Child Clinical Psychology
• Specialist Topics
• Transition to Qualified Status

Admission Requirements

• A primary honors degree in Psychology with at least an upper second-class award (2.1) or equivalent
• Good research skills and relevant experience are essential
• Candidates are required to hold graduate basis for registration with the Psychological Society of Ireland
• Students will need a full and valid driving license
• Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting

Course Details

• Awards: NFQ Level 10
• Number of Places: 15/16 Places
• Next Intake: September 2025
• Course Director: Dr. Kevin Tierney
• Closing Date: 19th November 2024

Career Opportunities

The course aims to train students so that they will be equipped to function as independent career-grade clinical psychologists in the Irish health service under appropriate supervision. A number of graduates also go on to further clinical research.

Fees

For a full list of postgraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section of the university's website.

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