Counselling Psychology

Entry requirements

Applicants must normally hold at least a second class honors degree upper division (2.1) in Psychology recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland or equivalent (a conversion degree in Psychology) with relevant professional experience when they start the course.

International applicants with equivalent qualifications are most welcome to apply.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This intensive full-time course provides professional training in Counselling Psychology and is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland. Admission is on a yearly basis for approximately 12 to 14 students. The three main objectives of the course are (1) to allow students to obtain a level of postgraduate academic and research performance appropriate for the award of a doctoral qualification, (2) to progress this academic and research performance through the practice of Counselling Psychology, and (3) to acquire professional knowledge and skills.

The course emphasizes the scientist-practitioner model of training and research-informed practice. The scientist-practitioner model is fostered through research classes and work on the research dissertation. Students are informed on a variety of research strategies (including e.g., experimental, quasi-experimental as well as descriptive and qualitative, phenomenological, hermeneutic, discourse analytic and grounded theory approaches) and learn to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies. Graduates of this course are qualified counselling psychologists, skilled to conduct mental health assessments and therapy with individuals, couples, families and groups across the lifespan.