Program Overview

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Applied Psychology – BSc (Hons)

Course Overview

Psychology is a broad and diverse field that encompasses the study of human thought, behaviour, development, personality, emotion, motivation, and how all of these operate over the life course and in society.

Applied Psychology is a scientific study especially concerned with the practical applications of the mind, behaviour and of mental processes in relation to everyday life. This includes engagement with education, health, crime, advocacy, counselling and mental health and the kinds of research and experiments that are used to demonstrate our understanding in these areas.

This exciting 4-year honours degree in Applied Psychology gives you the opportunity to study psychology and society, politics and activism, crime, research skills, social, behavioural, cognitive, developmental psychology, and neuropsychology. A core element of the course is weekly personal development groups which allow the student guided spaces to explore the impact the issues they are studying have on them.

Applied Psychology is a field of interest to anyone who wants a career that supports individuals, groups or organisations in achieving their goals. It is a qualification with a wide reach, from consumer behaviour to sports and education, the application of psychology is extensive in today’s modern society. An undergraduate psychology degree is an entry requirement for postgraduate training as a psychologist. In order to qualify for entry to postgraduate training as a psychologist, applicants must have a psychology degree that is accredited by the PSI. TUS Midwest has applied for PSI recognition.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

• A minimum of two H5 and four O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.

Mature Applicants

• Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

• International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application.

Course Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1

• Applied Psychology (10 credits)
  • This module examines a range of perspectives in psychology and considers the extent to which they are compatible, as well as the areas of contestation between the approaches.
• Personal Development (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to provide learners with the materials, environment, and opportunities necessary to gain a deeper understanding interpersonal relationships especially in the context of self, family, workplace, community, and society.
• Psychology and Society (10 credits)
  • This module will allow students to explore the person in the social world and examine the intersection between identity and society.
• Research Methods (5 credits)
  • This module will prepare students for their study of psychology.

Year 1 – Semester 2

• Criminal Psychology (10 credits)
  • This module examines elements of the interface between psychology and crime.
• Psychology and Activism (10 credits)
  • This module will examine the psychology of social change through the lens of activism and political lobbying.
• Psychology and Family (5 credits)
  • This personal development module enables learners, through the process and practice of experiential group work in Personal Development laboratories to gain a deeper understanding of the theories underpinning the concepts and types of family.
• Research Skills (5 credits)
  • This module builds the work done in semester 1 and teaches students about simple research techniques and experimental design as well as qualitative approaches to data collection.

Year 2 – Semester 1

• Functional Behaviour (5 credits)
  • This module provides students with an understanding of the fundamental principles and methods of behavioural and radical behavioural psychology.
• Mental Health & Wellbeing (5 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to provide learners with an understanding of the issues underpinning mental ill-health and attaining positive mental health and wellbeing in both personal and professional lives.
• Psychological Characteristics (5 credits)
  • This module aims to give students an insight into the ways in which theory and research on intelligence and personality have developed.
• Psychology & Biology (10 credits)
  • This module introduces students to biological psychology, the scientific study of the brain and how it effects behaviour.
• Psychometrics (5 credits)
  • This module allows students to gain practical experience in assembling, administering and analysing psychometric instruments.

Year 2 – Semester 2

• Cognitive Psychology (10 credits)
  • This module provides an overview of psychological theories and research in perception and higher-order cognitive processes within the field of Cognitive Psychology.
• Developmental Psychology (5 credits)
  • This module examines development across the lifespan in relation to biological, cognitive and social development.
• Experimental Research (5 credits)
  • In this unit, students further develop their understanding of experimental research methods used in cognitive and experimental psychology.
• Loss & Grief (5 credits)
  • This module provides opportunities for a continuing exploration of the self as an individual and as an emerging psychology professional.
• Social Psychology (5 credits)
  • This module will allow students to investigate human behaviour in a social and cultural context.

Year 3 – Semester 1

• Applied Skills in Practice (5 credits)
  • This module prepares students for an integral part of all academic programmes of the University, the work experience module.
• Electives in Counselling, Sport & Health, or Forensic & Criminal Psychology (10 credits)
  • The counselling module introduces students to the theory, knowledge and methodology in the professional practice of counselling psychology.
  • The sport psychology module will examine some of the most important aspects of Sport and Exercise Psychology and their impact on Sports performance.
  • The forensic and criminal module will engage students in key topics in Forensic Psychology.
• Psychology Group Work (5 credits)
  • This module affords the learner the opportunity to further enhance and develop their group facilitation skills and techniques.
• Qualitative Methods (10 credits)
  • This module will allow students to develop a clear understanding of some qualitative methods used in psychology.

Year 3 – Semester 2

• Work Experience or Study Abroad (25 credits)
  • This Work Placement/Study Abroad provides students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout their course of study up to this point in a new and relevant experiential setting either at home or abroad.
• Applied Personal Development (5 credits)
  • This module builds on the foundational work of understanding self and others through personal development, with a focus on individual and peer group support for the psychology student while on work experience.

Year 4 – Semester 1

• Advanced Developmental Psychology (5 credits)
  • This module will provide students with an opportunity to critically analyse research in developmental psychology.
• Advanced Psychometrics (5 credits)
  • This module focuses in-depth on the current and historical understanding of personality and individual differences.
• Advanced Social Psychology (10 credits)
  • This module will allow students to critically evaluate a range of social psychological research and examine research from a range of methodological approaches.
• Individual differences
  • In the final year of the programme students will study neuropsychology, and advanced topics in social, developmental and cognitive psychology.
• Research Theory (5 credits)
  • The main aim of this module is to explore and critically evaluate the range of research methodologies that are available in both qualitative and quantitative research.
• Research Thesis (Full Year) (10 credits)
  • The process of preparing and writing a dissertation for the capstone research provides the student with the opportunity to pursue in depth a topic of his or her own choice.

Year 4 – Semester 2

• Neuropsychology (10 credits)
  • This module will introduce students to the principles and methods of Neuroscience and Cognitive Neuropsychology.
• Advanced Cognitive Psychology (10 credits)
  • This module is designed to develop students’ understanding of cognitive and social psychology, building on their earlier Cognitive and Social Psychology modules in the programme.

Career Opportunities

• Community workers
• Human resources
• Employee relations
• Housing managers/officers
• Community Welfare Officers
• Police/Garda Síochána
• Market research
• Sport & Exercise Psychology
• Health and Safety
• Youth Work
• Advertising
• Recruitment
• Training and Development
• Probation officers
• Sports Psychology
• Civil and public service
• Social research roles
• Research assistant

Further Study

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere. Other Postgraduate training opportunities include:

• Clinical Psychology
• Counselling Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Occupational Psychology
• Sport & Exercise Psychology
• Academic Psychology
• Research Psychology