Questions and AnswersAll your education questions answered by Brian Mooney.
As I approach my Leaving Certificate in June, I have a growing interest is studying psychology at college. Can you advise me regarding this option?
Psychology is the scientific study of thought, emotion and behaviour. Psychologists examine the various aspects of human experience, such as emotions, thoughts and actions, and apply their understanding in a variety of professional (including clinical, counselling, educational and organisational) and academic settings.
A primary degree in psychology requires three to four years' study. These courses generally involve both the study of psychological theory and the gaining of practical experience of research methods. Typical components include: biological basis of behaviour, developmental and lifespan psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, personality and individual differences, and research design, quantitative and qualitative methods.
The first step to a career in psychology is to study for a primary degree at honours level in one of the following colleges offering courses through the CAO, currently accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI): American College Dublin, DBS School of Arts, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design Technology, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, NUI Galway, NUI Maynooth, University College Cork, University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.
University of Ulster Magee and Coleraine campuses, Queen's University Belfast and the Open University offer programmes outside the CAO system. Following completion of an approved primary honours degree, further education and specialist training is then necessary to develop a career in psychology.
A primary degree in psychology combines high levels of literacy and numeracy, experience in working both individually and within a group, as well as planning projects and reflecting on aspects of theory.
Graduates acquire a variety of academic skills, such as the ability to read and write critically, design and carry out research, analyse data, utilise information databases and appreciate ethical issues. They will also develop the skills to work in teams, present complex arguments, plan and carry out individual projects and meet deadlines.
Following graduation, there is a wide range of options for further study, depending on the specialisation. Postgraduate studies usually take two to three years.
Clinical psychology is the application of theory to a range of psychological, psychiatric, mental health and developmental problems. Clinical psychologists work primarily, but not exclusively, in child and/or adult and learning disability services where emotional, behavioural, psychiatric or developmental difficulties are addressed.
Counselling psychology facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, and developmental concerns.
Counselling psychologists can be found working in such diverse areas as schools and colleges, industrial workplaces and health services.
Educational psychologists deal with the psychological and educational development of people in the education system, and often work within the National Educational Psychological Service of the Department of Education and Science.
Forensic psychologists work in prisons, probation services, special secure hospitals, rehabilitation units and in private practice. They assess offenders prior to sentencing, manage offenders during sentence and upon release, assess risk and manage sex- offender treatment programmes.
Sport and exercise psychologists study the psychological factors associated with participation in sport. They help athletes to achieve optimal mental health and to improve performance and understanding of how participation in sport and exercise affects an individual's psychological development, health and well-being throughout their life-span.
