Program Overview

Doctor of Clinical Psychology

The Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a full-time, three-year postgraduate professional course in clinical psychology, designed to train psychologists to be eligible for appointment as Clinical Psychologists in the health services.

Overview

The clinical psychology programme at University College Cork is the newest in Ireland. Whilst embracing the core training standards for the profession evident across all programmes, the Cork programme is growing a unique identity as outlined in Course Details.

Entry Requirements

The selection process for the D.Clin.Psych. is composed of two stages:

1. Minimum eligibility criteria:

• Applicants must be eligible for graduate registration with the Psychological Society of Ireland.
• Applicants must have a minimum Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8).
• Applicants must have postgraduate experience within mental health, disability or related settings (includes voluntary experience).
• Applicants must submit a short personal statement that clearly indicates how their postgraduate education and/or work experience has prepared them in terms of their knowledge/experience of clinical psychology practice.

2. Selection process: As there are likely to be far more suitable applicants than places available, an interview shortlist will be prepared.

Course Details

The programme embraces the reflective scientist-practitioner approach that characterises contemporary clinical psychology. Students are taught to rigorously evaluate, synthesise and apply existing clinical research in professional practice and to generate new research knowledge from their practice.

Course Practicalities

Over the three years, students spend about 45% of their time studying and carrying out supervised research and about 55% of their time on supervised clinical placements. As placements can be located anywhere in Ireland, trainees must be available to travel to, and as required for, placement activities.

Assessment

Modules are assessed in a number of ways including a critical literature review, clinical reports with varying foci, reflective practice assignments and placement evaluations of competence reports. All work is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis, although indicative grades are awarded.

Placements

Trainees complete placements in each of the following core clinical areas:

• Adult Mental Health Services
• Child, Adolescent and Family Psychology and Mental Health Services
• Disability

Why Study this Course?

This course has been developed to meet the high demand for Clinical Psychologists in the Munster area and beyond. Successful applicants are employed by the Health Service Executive or the Irish Prison Service as Trainee Clinical Psychologists for the three years of the course.

After Graduation

Clinical psychologists provide a variety of services including assessment, therapy, and consultancy. They work primarily, but not exclusively in child and/or adult and disability services where emotional, behavioural, psychiatric or developmental difficulties are addressed.

FAQs

• Who should I address my queries to?
• What sort of experience do I need to apply for the course?
• I have experience working within a health / disability / other such setting but not directly with clinical or other applied psychologists. Is this relevant?
• Are some masters / postgraduate courses better than others?
• I do not hold a degree in Psychology. Can I still apply?
• Where do I find out about Graduate Basis for Membership?
• Is the D.Clin.Psych. at UCC accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland?
• I have a disability. Can I apply for the course?
• Am I too old to apply for the course?
• What's the profile of successful applicants?
• Any tips on the application form?