Master of Arts in Educational Psychology

Course details

The Masters of Arts in Educational Psychology (MAEP) is a programme which aims to prepare trainees for the range of autonomous and collaborative professional roles that are performed by educational psychologists (EPs) in a variety of contexts and with a range of client groups.

A crucial element of the programme is the supervised placement experience which is sequenced across the with taught sessions and independent study to promote an appropriate balance in the integration of theory and practice. Lectures/tutorials are provided throughout each semester, either in one or two week blocks, or when placements are being undertaken, on one day each week. Professional placements are organised in schools and Psychological Services Placements are typically on the basis of three days a week. One day a week is available for personal study. In addition to successfully completing all taught modules, candidates must successfully complete all training placements, trainees are required to design, conduct and report on a high-quality original research study.

The current taught modules are as follows:

• Philosophy, Epistemology and the Profession of Educational Psychology.
• Psychology and Education for Exceptional Children and Young Adults
• Biological, Neuropsychological, Social, Emotional and Developmental Bases of Behaviour (1 and 2)
• Cognition and Learning (1 and 2)
• Psychological and Psycho-Educational Assessment
• Professional Issues and Ethics in Educational Psychology
• Research and Evidence Based Practice
• Presentation Skills and the Psychology of Interpersonal Communication
• Interventions and Problem Solving within a Consultative Framework
• Systems and Organisational Psychology

Requirements (minimum)

• By the closing date for applications, applicants must hold an accredited qualification in psychology which is accepted by the Psychological Society of Ireland as conferring eligibility for graduate membership of the society. (Please address enquiries on these matters to PSI)
• work experience with children/young people in an educational or community setting.
• Suitability to work with children. This will be assessed on the basis of interview, references and Garda vetting. The latter will be sought by the college in respect of successful applicants.

Desirable qualifications and experience

A majority of successful applicants to date had more than the minimum requirements. Additional desirable qualifications and experience include the following:

• Additional relevant academic qualifications in psychology and education.
• Additional and varied work experience; work with children, special groups, specialist teaching or care work.
• Research expertise as demonstrated by the completion of higher degrees with research components or involvement in research activities.