Program Overview

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Doctorate in Educational Psychology

The Doctorate in Educational Psychology is a professional training course that equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to qualify as practicing Educational Psychologists. This fully funded program aims to provide students with an advanced level of knowledge in educational psychology, and upon completion, they will be qualified to practice as Educational Psychologists.

Programme Aims

The program aims to offer knowledge and expertise for a career as an Educational Psychologist via doctorate-level study. Completion of the program confers eligibility to apply for registration as a practitioner psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to the British Psychological Society (BPS) for Chartered EP status.

Distinctive Features

• Fully funded by the Welsh Government, with trainees receiving a bursary for all three years
• Trainees undertake three placements across Wales and England, which are negotiated before commencing the course
• The program is underpinned by a psychologically informed framework for educational psychology practice called COMOIRA
• Based within the Cardiff University Centre for Human Development (CUCHDS), an active, psychological, and stimulating research environment
• Gradual approach to carrying out and reporting research
• Small, cohesive group of tutors with diverse experiences and professional backgrounds

Key Facts

• Accreditations: The British Psychological Society
• Mode of study: Full-time
• Qualification: DEdPsy
• Full-time duration: 3 years
• Part-time duration: Not available
• Start dates: September

Approach to Learning

Trainees and tutors bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the program. The program builds on this expertise, assuming that all involved have comprehensive knowledge of psychology from their undergraduate and/or postgraduate studies. Trainees are supported to be responsible for their personal growth, develop their psychological knowledge and understanding, and reflect actively on their experiences.

Course Content

Teaching on the Educational Psychology Professional Doctorate program consists of six themes:

• Research Methods in Educational Psychology
• Processes and Methods of Assessment
• The Psychology of Learning: Managing Change
• The Psychology of Behaviour: Managing Change
• Understanding and Working with Organisations, Systems and Groups: Managing Change
• The Role of the Educational Psychologist (EP): Managing Change

Supervision

Trainees are allocated a member of the program team as their professional tutor and a separate research tutor. The professional tutor provides supervision, guidance, and support relating to both university and placement activities. The research tutor supports trainees with research-related work, including their final thesis.

Assessment

Trainees are assessed through various submissions each year, including academic assignments, research tasks, and a fieldwork portfolio. In Year 1, there is continuous assessment of theoretical and practical work. In Year 2, a small-scale research report and related documents are assessed. In Year 3, trainees submit a 35,000-45,000-word research portfolio, including a thesis.

Funding

The Doctorate in Educational Psychology program is fully funded by the Welsh Government, with trainees receiving a bursary for all three years. Occasionally, self-funded places are offered on this course.

Tuition Fees

Information on postgraduate fees is available for students from the UK, EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the rest of the world.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A qualification in psychology that confers eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
• One year's experience working with children and young people (aged 0-25) in educational, social services, or community settings
• Qualifications and experience must be obtained by December 31

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score with an overall score of 7.5 is required.

Career Prospects

Successful graduates meet all of the HCPC's Standards of Proficiency and the BPS's Required Competencies for Practitioner Psychologists. They are eligible to apply for registration as Practitioner Psychologists with the HCPC and for Chartered status with the BPS. Most Educational Psychologists work within Local Authorities, but the profession is diversifying, with growing numbers working independently or in broader contexts like the health sector. All Cardiff University Educational Psychology Professional Doctorate program graduates to date have found suitable employment.