Master of Arts in Psychology (Conversion Course)

We are pleased to announce that the MA in Psychology (Conversion Course) has been accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

Introduction

The Master of Art in Psychology (MA Psychology) is a new full-time 1-year conversion course that integrates existing undergraduate modules and postgraduate modules. 
The course has been accredited by the PSI and is designed for students with prior experiences in psychology and research methods (e.g., BA Joint Honours). This prior experience should be comparable to 1 year of study (10 modules; 60 ECTS). 
The MA Psychology provides students with a menu of modules that reflect the breadth of psychological research and its applications and is therefore partly a conversion course. The undergraduate modules will be provided by the Department of Psychology (Education and Health Science); the postgraduate modules will be provided by the Department of Psychology, the Department of Design and Technology (Faculty and Science and Engineering), the Department of Personnel and Employment Relations (Kemmy Business School), and the Physical Education and Sport Sciences Department (Faculty of Education and Health Sciences). 

Accreditation of this new course means that students are eligible for Graduate membership of the PSI and BPS (British Psychological Society).

Apply online through the Graduate School 

View the M.A. in Psychology brochure 

Read feedback from previous students

Objectives 

On successful completion of the programme, it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Identify the fundamental psychological processes that underlie psychological phenomena in cognition, developmental psychology, social psychology, personality psychology, and biological psychology.
• Understand the fundamental principles of research methods.
• Critically evaluate current issues in psychological research and its applications in society.
• Demonstrate how psychological issues can be investigated and critically evaluated.
• Select and develop strategies to investigate and solve psychological issues on the level of individuals and groups.
• Apply the fundamental psychological concepts and practices to psychological issues in research and in the social context.
• Demonstrate expertise in applying psychological methods when assessing and solving psychological issues.
• Demonstrate interpersonal competencies and professional sensitivity including ethical behaviour.
• Conceptualise, research and write critical assessments of psychological areas of investigation.
• Understand and evaluate the significance of psychological research and the findings that it can provide.
• Critically evaluate psychological applications to solutions in society considering contextual limitations and the feasibility of psychological interventions.

Programme of Study

Overall, a student will take 11 modules over the course of 12 months. In the Autumn, the student will take 5 modules. In the Spring the student will also take 5 modules. In the Summer the student will take 1 module. Specifically, the student will take 4 core modules and 1 elective module in the Autumn semester. Similarly, the student will take 4 core modules and 1 elective module in the Spring semester. In the Summer the student will take 1 core module, the major research project. The 11 modules contribute to 90 ECTS, and each semester (Autumn, Spring, Summer) provides 30 ECTS. All modules listed as electives are Level 9 modules. All modules listed as electives can serve as substitutes. Substitutes are taken in addition to the electives. Electives and substitutes need to be consistent with the overall curriculum and the learning goals of the course. For example, a student who has little experience in statistics will not be able to take the module 'Advanced Analysis in Psychology 1' as an elective. But a student who has taken a statistics module such as 'research methods', will be allowed to take the advanced analysis module as an elective. It is therefore essential that the Course Director agrees to the student's preferred electives before the final choices are submitted to SAA. The course consists of an "exit option". That is, students can complete their study after the first two semesters (10 modules; 60 ECTS) with a Higher Diploma (Level 8) degree.

Core Modules: 4 in Autumn, 4 in Spring, 1 in Summer

Elective Modules: 1 in Autumn, 1 in Spring

Entry Qualifications

Normally a 2.2 honours degree (NFQ Level 8) is required, with a minimum of 60 ECTS or equivalent experience in psychology and research methods. The amount of credits associated with psychology modules must be equivalent to more than 50% of the overall credits. In the case of international candidates, the overseas equivalent as determined by the Course Board and the guidelines of UL Graduate School Admissions is required. Where candidates are non-native English language speakers, certified demonstrable achievements in a standard English language competency test in line with UL requirements will be necessary. Where deemed necessary, candidates may be interviewed as part of the selection process.

Application Fee

An application fee will apply from January 2011 to all postgraduate programmes.  Please see here for more information on the application fee.

Applications

If you wish to apply for this course you can do so here

Contact

For further information please email psychology@ul.ie 

Applicants who wish to discuss detailed elements of the programme may contact the Course Director:
Dr. Aisling O'Donnell
Department of Psychology, University of Limerick
Email: aisling.odonnell@ul.ie
Phone: +353 (0)61 202169