1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Applied Psychology

Course Outline

Our MA in Applied Psychology gives you an advanced understanding of the discipline of psychology in applied settings. The course is designed to help you appreciate the potential and values of applied psychology, think critically about psychological theory and practice, and give you the opportunity to explore your own particular interests.

Applied psychologists use research and theory to analyse real-world situations, develop appropriate interventions, and evaluate outcomes. The course has strong links with community-based partners working with children, families, and communities. The course will enable you to pursue postgraduate professional training opportunities and to pursue a variety of career paths where psychological expertise is needed.

Modules (90 credits)

Part I (60 credits)

Core Modules

AP6023  Psychological Assessment (5 credits)
AP6060  Advanced Issues in Quantitative Research Methods (5 credits)
AP6061  Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis (5 credits)
AP6138  Critical Community Psychology (10 credits)
AP6174  Clinical Presentations (Child, Adolescent, Adult, and ID) (10 credits)
AP6122  Psychological Principles and Skills in Working with Children and Families (10 credits)
AP6185  Service Design and Evaluation (15 credits)

Part II (30 credits)

Core Modules

AP6137  Dissertation in Applied Psychology 1 (30 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Students who have completed and passed modules to the value of at least 60 credits in Part I and who do not wish to proceed to Part II may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology.

Course Practicalities

This is a one-year full-time course. Lectures take place on Monday-Fridays. 

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) which is a form of student learning involving external, community-based partners, is embedded as a core component of the MA Applied Psychology programme.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are incorporated into the MA. These include essays, research funding applications, portfolios, reports, class tests, research proposals, journal of learning, class presentations, research thesis, and taped practice work with transcript and analysis.

Who teaches this course

The MA in Applied Psychology is delivered by staff from the School of Applied Psychology. Contributions are also made from other professional/voluntary bodies where appropriate.

Why Choose This Course

The particular strength of this course lies in its applied ethos. Our MA graduates have found their engagement with external partner organisations through the programme to be particularly beneficial in supporting their successful application to specific professional education courses in psychology.

Work-Integrated Learning

Skills and Careers Information

• The ability to critically appraise psychological research and practice in a range of settings;
• Advanced knowledge of the professional and ethical issues that may arise in the application of psychology, and in service design and evaluation;
• Competence in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues;
• Skills in planning and implementing an effective research course

Further competencies developed through this course include interview, assessment, communication, and presentation skills.

Requirements

Applicants must:

1. Hold a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in Psychology.

2. Satisfy the eligibility requirements for graduate membership of either the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or the British Psychological Society (BPS). This must be demonstrated by the applicant by providing evidence that your undergraduate degree/qualification(s) is accredited by the PSI or by the BPS. Applicants whose undergraduate degree/qualification(s) is not listed as an accredited qualification by either the PSI or the BPS are required to provide evidence from the PSI or the BPS that they (the PSI or the BPS) consider your undergraduate degree/qualification(s) to be equivalent to the PSI/BPS degree, in terms of granting you eligibility for graduate membership of the society. This evidence must be sought by the applicant by applying directly to either the PSI or BPS for graduate membership as appropriate.

3. Provide an academic reference. Once you have submitted your online application you will be requested to provide the name and email address of 1 academic referee. A communication will issue immediately from UCC to your referee requesting the that they submit a reference directly to UCC.

4. Supply statements detailing:

A research proposal must include details that would ordinarily be contained within an abstract. Your research proposal is very important for your application as it demonstrates your potential to undertake and successfully complete a research dissertation. The research proposal requires significant detail and must include: a research topic and demonstrate your ability to identify a research problem and design a study to address it; an average word count of ~500 is expected.

Motivation and readiness, which should include information on:

• Your understanding of what applied psychology entails
• Reasons for applying to the course and how your reasons fit with your experience and career objectives.

Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements as stated above but who present with a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in Psychology and have significant and directly relevant work experience or has performed impressively in a relevant Master's degree acceptable to the School selection committee. In such cases, the applicant must clearly set out the grounds upon which they wish to be considered in the motivation and readiness statement.

Applicants may be interviewed and will be selected based on the following:

• academic performance,
• evidence of research capacity,
• academic reference,
• commitment to the area of applied psychology

 Please note that:

If you are in the process of completing your undergraduate degree in Psychology or a conversion/Masters degree you must be in receipt of your final results (whether undergraduate or postgraduate) before 31st July.

International Applicants

To be considered for an offer, you must provide all the required documents at the time of application. Follow these steps before applying:

1. Check the entry requirements: You must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
2. Prepare supporting documents as outlined in the Requirements Section of this course page. Pay close attention to the guidance on the information that should be included in the motivation statement.
3. Accreditation: You must satisfy the eligibility requirements for graduate membership of either the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) or the British Psychological Society (BPS). Accreditation applications are reviewed every 6-8 weeks.
4. Only then start the application by clicking on the Apply Now button.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Deferrals 

Deferrals are not permitted on this programme.  

The closing date for non-EU applications is 3 March 2025