Psychology
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
Part-time: 4 years (2 evenings per week).
Delivery
This programme is taught on a hybrid basis. This means learners are timetabled either in-class or online, in a mix of online and in-class days.
Entry Requirements
Standard Applicants - Evening Arts Degrees
Under the new Common Points Scale for Leaving Certificate, applicants must obtain a minimum of 2H5’s and 4 O6/H7, including a language. Some degree programmes will also require a minimum of O6/H7 in Maths. Please see individual course entry requirements for further details. Please forward the relevant documentation or any other second or third level qualifications (original & official English translation where issued in another language) to the Admissions Office. Proof of age such as a copy of driver’s licence or passport must also be submitted
FETAC Applicants
Minimum admission requirements for graduates of FETAC awards (former NCVA Level 2 or 3) are a full FETAC award in a course in a cognate area with a distinction grade in at least three modules. A full FETAC award normally consists of 8 modules. A full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. Further details can be obtained from the Admissions Office.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of the degree, depending upon the final grade, graduates will be eligible to apply to enter postgraduate training programmes in their chosen specialisation and ultimately gain employment in their area of expertise.
These areas include:
• Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
• Clinical Psychology
• Counselling Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Organisations Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Sport (and Exercise) Psychology
Graduates from the BA (Hons) Psychology from DBS have achieved the prerequisite psychoanalytic study to apply for the clinical training MA in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in DBS. Graduates from this programme can also apply to progress on to the MA in Addiction Studies at DBS. Graduates not wishing to go on to train as a psychologist can also go on to work in areas such as teaching, research, counselling, community or youth work, assistant psychologist, classroom assistant, care worker, support worker. In addition graduates will be able to work flexibly and creatively as individuals and in groups, capable of independent thought, self-directed in their outlook, diplomatic, dedicated and determined.
Further information
Next Intake: September 2023
If you are over 23 years of age and do not meet minimum entry requirements, you may apply as a mature student. Mature students are assessed on the basis of age, work experience, general education standard, motivation and commitment to the programme for which they are applying. Please forward documentation such as relevant transcripts, a CV and other related documentation to the Admissions Office. Proof of age such as a copy of driver’s license or passport must also be submitted.
We are now accepting applications for programmes taking place in 2023. Contact our admissions team for more information
Email: admissions@dbs.ie
Phone: 01 417 7500
Opening times:
Monday to Friday
8:45am to 5:15pm
Overview
Psychology is one of the most exciting and interesting subjects available in third level education. It is the study of human behaviour in all its forms normal and abnormal, natural and learned, productive and destructive. It is a modern and progressive area of study, which with a 150-year history, is currently experiencing unprecedented growth and development in Ireland and internationally. In modern times, professional psychologists work in almost every sphere of daily life. They contribute to the design or our classrooms and what takes place in them. They teach industry the best ways to select and motivate employees. They provide crucial insight into the background of social problems such as suicide, addiction and child abuse. They help coaches train athletes, help the police to investigate crime, help managers to reduce stress in the workplace and help the health services to design effective health promotion campaigns (for example, anti-smoking, and safe driving campaigns).
Aims and Objectives
The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) accredits the BA (Hons) Psychology degree taught in DBS. PSI is the professional body for psychology in Ireland. As such it seeks to promote the science and profession of psychology in Ireland and beyond. The psychology degree represents the necessary first step to becoming a professional psychologist. The BA (Hons) Psychology is designed to provide an understanding of human thought and behaviours through the application of psychology to a wide range of areas. These areas range from the understanding of the nature and causes of mental illness to investigating the decision making processes used by us in real life situations. Our degree is informed continually by research, both past and present, and is taught by staff who are also practitioners in various psychology fields. Uniquely the Psychology degree in DBS introduces students to the main concepts and text which the tradition of psychoanalysis offers to the field of psychology.
The objectives of the BA (Hons) Psychology degree are as follows:
•To provide a forum of open space learning where students can develop , deepen and expand their theoretical knowledge of Psychology
•To equip students with the knowledge and skills required allowing progression in further specialist and applied areas of psychology
•To facilitate an understanding of the main domains of the scientific and empirical study of psychology
•To develop a critical appreciation of the contribution psychology has made to understanding behaviour and experience
•To allow students to engage in advanced theoretical debates relevant to the understanding of contemporary issues in society
•To provide students with eligibility for Graduate Basis for Registration with the Psychological Society of Ireland
•To offer the opportunity for progression to postgraduate level within the many fields of psychology and related specialisms
PSI Accredited
The BA (Hons) in Psychology is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, the professional body for psychology in Ireland. As such, it seeks to promote the science and profession of psychology in Ireland and beyond. PSI membership now stands at over 3,000 members, and includes practitioners, educators and researchers, professionals and postgraduate students, as well as undergraduate subscribers.
Structure
The degree is divided into three levels. Level three has a major final year project associated with it. The duration of the degree on a part-time basis is typically four years. Normally students will attend classes two evenings per week from 6.15pm-9.30pm.
In Level 1, students undertake introductory subjects that are designed to develop knowledge and understanding of core disciplines to provide a platform for more advanced study.
In Level 2, students take subjects that build on the level 1 foundation and further develop student knowledge and understanding.
In Level 3, students take subjects intended to develop understanding of applied areas and key subjects. Furthermore, students also undertake a research project under the guidance of a supervisor.
This programme is taught on a hybrid basis. This means learners are timetabled either in-class or online, in a mix of online and in-class days.
The BA (Hons) in Psychology has the following content:
Level 1
Core Modules:
Psychological Foundations
Foundations in Social Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Foundations of Biopsychology
Fundamentals of Cognitive Psychology
Academic Skills Lab
ASSET
Research Technique & Analysis 1
Introduction to Psychoanalysis & the Unconscious
Level 2
Core Modules:
Modelling Cognitive Systems
Development Across the Lifespan: Adolescence and Adulthood
Fundamentals of Biopsychology
Social Psychology
Experimental Psychology
Psychology in Action- online
Ethical Research Methods & Design
Research Technique & Analysis 2
Personality and Psychoanalytic Subjectivity
Level 3
Core Modules:
Neuropsychopharmacology
Internet Mediated Research- online
Behaviour Science
Electives
Stream 1:
Organisational Psychology
Health Psychology
Mental Health & Distress
Human Performance
Stream 2:
Sexuality 1
Sexuality 2
Hysteria
Psychoanalysis and Language
Throughout the course some modules are assessed by a combination of continuous assessment and end of year examinations, or by continuous assessment alone. Continuous assessment will vary in style and purpose from module to module, depending upon the nature of the subject material and the teaching and learning objectives of the module. Assessments may include essays, multiple choice questionnaire, in-class exam, oral presentation, group work, and poster presentations.
Contact our Admissions Team for further information.
Email: admissions@dbs.ie
Phone: 01 417 7500
Opening times:
Monday to Friday
8:45am to 5:15pm