Doctor of Psychological Science (Clinical Psychology)

Course details

The Doctor of Psychological Science (DPsychSc) in Clinical Psychology is a taught doctoral programme that provides professional training in clinical psychology. The programme is provided in partnership with clinical psychology services in the Health Services Executive and other health service agencies. The overall objective of the programme is to produce competent and capable clinical psychologists for the Irish health service, through the provision of high quality training in the clinical, academic and research elements of clinical psychology.

The programme is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland as a postgraduate professional training course in clinical psychology. The programme provides basic professional training in many areas of work, including adult clinical psychology, child and adolescent clinical psychology and intellectual disabilities.

Key facts

Entry requirements

Candidates must hold a degree or PDip in psychology recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) as granting eligibility for graduate membership of PSI. The qualification must be at least upper Second Class Honours level (barring exceptional circumstances). Qualifications deemed equivalent by the College of Arts may also be accepted. At least one year of practical and/or research experience relevant to clinical psychology is also required. Successful applicants are expected to have a means of transport to enable them to participate in all elements of the programme, including undertaking supervised clinical placements in health settings.

Course outline

This programme provides trainees with thorough and integrated training in academic, practical, and research aspects of clinical psychology, through academic teaching blocks, supervised clinical placements and supervised clinically relevant research projects.

Clinical competence is developed in six placements over the three years of the programme. The placements provide trainees with experience of clinical psychology practice under the supervision of experienced clinical psychologists. All trainees have placements in mental health settings working with both child and adult clients, and in-services for people with learning disability. Other placements include services for elderly people, rehabilitation services, services for people with acquired brain injury, services for people with addictions, and appropriate settings in general hospitals. The development of personal awareness and interpersonal sensitivity are fostered.

Requirements and assessment

Assessment is through mandatory coursework, and evaluation of clinical competence on supervised clinical placements. Mandatory coursework requirements involve: three essays; four Reports of Clinical Activity; two Small Service-Related Research Projects; one Report of Large Scale Research Project/Thesis. In addition to assessed coursework, trainees are required to satisfactorily complete six supervised clinical placements over the duration of the programme. All required placements must be passed in order for the candidate to be deemed to have passed overall. The thesis is the subject of oral examination by the External and Internal Examiners at the end of the programme.