Masters Degrees (Educational Psychology)

The MSc in Educational Psychology aims to prepare Trainee Educational Psychologists to work as practitioners of applied educational psychology in local government (usually Education or Social Services), in voluntary agencies and elsewhere, in the U.K. and beyond.

Why study Educational Psychology at Dundee?

This two-year full-time professional training programme leads to qualification as an Educational Psychologist and eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Educational Psychologist, after a further year of supervised practice in a local authority psychological service and obtaining the Qualification in Educational Psychology (Scotland) (Stage 2).

A key feature of the programme at Dundee is Problem Based Learning (PBL) which has been shown to be effective in promoting the development of active independent learning as well as collaborative learning. PBL provides an integrated model of teaching and learning as it crosses subject boundaries.

The programme incorporates a spiral curriculum whereby there is an iterative revisiting of topics, subjects or themes throughout the programme. Trainees build new knowledge on prior knowledge and achieve better understanding by exploring topics at deepening levels and in more complexity. Examples of this are the teaching and practical application of frameworks for practice; working with video to reflect on effective communication; and the development of critical reflection skills.

Aims of the course

The aims of the programme are to promote:
The acquisition and development of information, theories, evidence, strategies, skills, services and products, which are based on educational psychology, and relevant to:
- Enhancing effective learning
- Promoting positive social, emotional and behavioural development
- Promoting inclusion
- Co-operative problem-solving
With children, parents, teachers and a wide range of other carers and other professional agencies

Who should study this course?

The programme is aimed at applicants who wish to train as educational psychologists. Applicants have a wide variety of previous qualifications, experience and employment history.

How you will be taught

This course is taught by staff in the School of Education, Social Work and Community Education..
The course runs every two years, in even numbered years, i.e. 2012, 2014, etc. The start date is September and it lasts for 24 months.

Learning experiences in the university are closely linked with those from a series of practical placements in local authority psychological services.

Active and self-managed learning methods are emphasised.

The curriculum is delivered through a range of traditional teaching and learning sessions, practical tasks, role play, video analysis and feedback, peer tutoring and assessment, demonstration and other forms of experiential learning. The utilisation of problem based learning provides an integrated model of teaching and learning.

What you will study

Based on the assumption that educational psychology is primarily about effective learning in different contexts, the programme includes the following taught academic modules that reflect the different ages/stages as well as the various organisational contexts that EPs work to.

There are 5 compulsory academic modules:

Year 1:
Introduction to Educational Psychology Practice
Educational Psychology Practice in the Early Years
Educational Psychology Practice in the Primary Years

Year 2:
Educational Psychology Practice in Secondary and Post-School Years
Advanced Educational Psychology Practice

These modules are designed to facilitate exploration of the following curricular areas in a holistic and integrated manner: child and adolescent development - normal and exceptional; assessment and intervention - individual and systemic; contexts and systems in which children and young people develop and learn; research and evaluation methods; and transferable interpersonal and professional skills.

There are also 2 compulsory placement modules, undertaken in local authority Psychological Services, one in Year 1 and the other in Year 2.

How you will be assessed

There are no traditional written examinations. All assessment is continuous by written academic reports and assignments, oral presentations, a major research thesis, a placement file documenting planning, activities and reflection in both placements, observation and rating by supervisors of performance while on placement., and oral examination by the external examiner (for a sample of students).
There is also a strong emphasis on self-assessment. Trainees are required to keep a Personal Learning Plan, in which they identify and monitor individual targets related to particular skills or bodies of knowledge. These are reviewed in regular appraisal meetings with their university tutor. Grading's of work are on a pass/fail basis. Summative assessment incorporates a formative element and trainees are asked to identify action points to address in the next piece of assessed work.

Careers

Training to become an Educational Psychologist (EP) in Scotland is undertaken over 3 years and consists of 2 separate stages.

Stage 1 involves studying for a Master of Science in Educational Psychology, which is a 2 year full time course, combining study with research and supervised placements.

On completion of the MSc in Educational Psychology, graduates progress to Stage 2 of their training - the Qualification in Educational Psychology (Scotland)(Stage 2). The Qualification is conferred by the British Psychological Society (BPS) on successful completion of one full time (or equivalent) year of supervised practice in the employment of a local authority psychological service and meeting the requirements as specified (for more information on the Qualification please refer to the BPS website).

From 1 July 2009, anyone wishing to practise as an educational psychologist in the UK must be registered with the regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The Qualification has been approved by the HCPC, and Qualification holders are therefore eligible for registration as practitioner psychologists.

Read less

The Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology is designed for those already working in the field who wish to make an original contribution to research, policy or professional practice; enhance their knowledge, understanding and skills; and develop their professional career.

Why study Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology at Dundee?

The Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology is aimed at applicants who are interested in reflecting on different elements of their professional career whilst contributing to the development of evidence, practice and policy in their professional field. Whilst the Professional Doctorate does not certify competence to practice, it does provide candidates with an opportunity to enhance their own and others' knowledge and application.

Aims of the course

The aims of the programme are:
To critically appraise the current evidential basis of professional theory, policy and practice;
To develop relevant advanced specialist research, development & dissemination skills;
To make a valuable and original contribution to knowledge, methodology, practice and policy;
- which meets accepted standards of rigour and excellence, and is widely disseminated.

Who should study this course?

The programme is aimed at practitioners in education, psychology and educational psychology.

"Studying on this programme has deepened my understanding of research methodology and skills. It has enabled me to apply this knowledge to a professional and local authority issue. The resulting research has developed my professional skills and knowledge and has been of direct benefit to the local authority I work for. I have had fantastic support from the university and my supervisors throughout."

How you will be taught

Module 1a comprises Research Methods Training (taught; seminars and workshops). If you already have a Masters degree, with an assessed element of research methods, you may not need to undertake Research Methods Training.

Delivery of Module 1b and Modules 2-5 takes the form of direct supervision by at least two members of University staff. Much of this supervision can be done by email, telephone and video conferencing where necessary or on campus. There are also online fora for students to discuss issues relating to their research.

What you will study

There are 5 Modules, spread over 3 Levels. The modular structure is explicitly intended to be highly flexible and modules are individually tailored to the interests and expertise of the entrant and the needs of their employer or sponsor.

Module 1 - Research Methods Training (module 1a) and a Critical Analysis and Review of Research Literature (module 1b) (can exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Practice)

Module 2 – Development of an Individualised Learning Plan for future modules. Research project with a written product of 15,000 words (can exit here with a Master’s degree in Advanced Professional Practice)

Modules 3-5 - Research project(s) with a written product of 15,000 words each. These projects may be related or quite independent of each other. It is possible to combine modules.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is possible for up to 50% of the degree, when the material for recognition has not been submitted for any other award and when it is of a high enough standard. Peer reviewed journal publications or research reports are good examples of suitable products for recognition.

For further information, please see the programme website.

How you will be assessed

The total written output required is the same as Ph.D. candidates would put into one single thesis. However, for the Professional Doctorate this can be split into five modular products each of 15,000 words. You can combine these into larger and deeper studies if you wish, subject to the agreement of your personal supervisors. If you have RPL, this would be incorporated in the final written output. The thesis is assessed by oral examination (viva voce) at the end of the programme.

Module 1 is designed to help sharpen up your technical writing skills. The standards and criteria are rigorous, as you would expect at doctoral level, but you are given support to ensure you achieve those standards. These written assignments are intended to be easily reducible to a paper which can be submitted for publication, and candidates are strongly encouraged and supported to do this.

Careers

The Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology enables students to develop highly specialised knowledge, understanding and skills at the frontiers of their professional area. The programme assists in the development of transferable qualities and skills which will be valued by employers. As such, it is anticipated that students and graduates of the programme will enhance their career prospects.

Read less

Why this course?

The course is one of the largest in the UK and one of only two programmes of its kind in Scotland, approved by the BPS.

The MSc in Educational Psychology is designed to help you work effectively as an educational psychologist with young people, teachers, parents and other professionals.

This course, together with the Stage 2 Qualification in Educational Psychology, (Scotland) from the British Psychological Society (BPS), meets the requirements for registration as an educational psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

See the website https://www.strath.ac.uk/courses/postgraduatetaught/educationalpsychology/

You’ll study

The course takes 24 months and is available on a full-time basis only. Entry is offered every two years, with an intake in September 2015, 2017 and so on.

There is a balanced mix of teaching and practical work in both years of the course. In the first year, you'll spend time:
- shadowing and observing
- carrying out practice-based assignments
- carrying out a collaborative group project

In the second year, the focus shifts to an 'apprenticeship' role. You’ll tackle the work of an educational psychologist under the supervision of your practice tutor. There’s also an individual project to complete.

Work placement

In Year 1, after an initial three-week block placement, trainee educational psychologists (TEPs) spend two days per week on placement with a local authority Psychological Service in Scotland, working on case studies and assignments. You’ll also work with children, young people and families across the key roles for an educational psychologist of consultation, assessment, intervention, training and research.

You’ll undertake three further two-week block placements: two in educational psychological services (one of which must be in Scotland but the second of which could be abroad) and the third in another form of community-based service (which, again, could be abroad).

Teaching staff

Our staff have had textbooks and papers on frameworks for educational psychology practice, assessment and implementation science, on the key reading lists of all educational psychology training programmes in the UK, contributing to international conferences.

Accreditation

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society.
It’s a Stage 1 Qualification which allows graduates to undertake the Society’s Stage 2 Qualification in their first year of practice as probationers in Scotland.
This meets the requirements for registration as Practitioner Psychologist with the Health Care Professionals Council and allows you to work as an educational psychologist in the UK.

International students

Please note, this course is not available to international students.

Learning & teaching

We use the following teaching methods to develop academic and professional skills and knowledge:
- seminars/lectures/workshops
- practice-based assignments
- TEP presentations
- independent reading
- individual tutorials
- problem-based learning involving collaborative/peer-led working
- use of interactive computer technology

Individual tutorials are held three times each 10-week term, normally for 30 minutes, on dates specified in advance. They provide opportunities for discussion of practical issues arising from placements, clarification of questions arising from seminars and workshops and discussion of any administrative matters. Additional tutorials are available on request.

Teaching takes place in the University on Mondays and Tuesdays during term-time. You spend Thursdays and Fridays in your long-term placements with a psychological service. Wednesdays are study days.

Assessment

Academic learning outcomes are assessed through:
- 5,000 word term-time essays (6 in total across Years 1 & 2)
- Year 1 and Year 2 projects (each of 15,000 words)
- participation in seminars
- presentations (for example, on initial block placement and Spring and Summer short placements, case study and project
presentations) individual tutorials

Professional practice learning outcomes are assessed through:
- a practice workfile
- critical performance indicators (CPIs) for professional practice
- term-time assignments and problem-based learning
- Year 1 collaborative project and Year 2 individual project
- three-way meetings with TEPs, university and practice tutors

Careers

- How much will I earn?
Pay scales in Scotland are set by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT).
Educational psychologists in Scottish local authorities earn in the region of £40,638 to £49,791. Senior and principal educational psychologists earn between £52,890 and £61,296.*

- Where are they now?
96.3% of graduates are in work or further study**

Job titles include:
- Educational Psychologist

Employers include:
- Local Authorities

*Information is intended only as a guide.

**Based on the results of the national Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey (2010/11 and 2011/12).

Find information Scholarships here http://www.strath.ac.uk/search/scholarships/

Read less

The Master of Education by coursework is designed to develop and support the careers of trained teachers who are teaching professionals, educational administrators, researchers and policymakers. The course does not lead to a professional teaching qualification. If you're seeking a professional teaching qualification and hold a bachelor's degree in another discipline, please refer to the Master of Teaching.

The Educational Psychology specialisation allows you to focus on the educational psychology of human learning, thinking, motivation and development. You will improve your understanding of educational psychology and learn how to apply this knowledge in educational contexts. Please note that the specialisation in educational psychology is not accredited by any psychological organisation and is not designed for those intending to become psychologists or school counsellors.

To ask a question about this course, visit http://sydney.edu.au/internationaloffice/

Read less

DEdPsych Professional Training in Educational Psychology

This three-year full-time programme of advanced professional training in educational psychology is recognised by the British Psychological Society and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. As a trainee you will be placed with Educational Psychological Services for supervised practical experience.

The programme

All of the professional training courses in the UK meet the standards for Educational and Training of the Health Professions Council and the Programme Standards of the British Psychological Society, yet they are all different in the way that they meet those standards.

The Exeter DEdPsych experience is marked by:

- A philosophy that aims to make you the best applied psychologist that you can be – you become your own resource in terms of applying psychology;
- A focus on how you may promote educational opportunity through the application of psychology;
- Your participation in a lively and interesting range of learning and training experiences across a range of educational settings;
- A recognition that your professional development goes hand in hand with personal development and this can be both invigorating and uncomfortable.
- Systems to support your transition into the role of a professional educational psychologist;
- Being placed in an internationally recognised centre for educational research to which you have access on your journey to becoming a competent autonomous researcher;
- Our expectation that the applied educational psychological skills you develop will be generalisable across time and contexts;
- Our emphasis that psychology should be concerned with developing the capacity for humanity in ourselves and in others.

All applications for the DEdPsych are processed by the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP).

Read less

The DEdPsy provides initial professional training in applied educational psychology, and is aimed at psychology graduates with experience of working with children and young people from birth to age 19. The programme generates high-level research expertise and develops the knowledge and skills you will need as an educational psychologist.

The programme is based on an interactionist psychological perspective. It will enable you to promote change at different levels of intervention with children, their families and teachers; schools as organisations; local authorities and children’s services, and in relation to national priorities.

The DEdPsy makes a similar level of demand as the PhD degree, but combines university-based academic learning and applied professional practice with research activity. The degree is approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC) and provides eligibility for HPC registration as a practitioner psychologist with the protected title Educational Psychologist. It is also accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and confers eligibility for chartered status with the BPS.

Programme of study
The programme is delivered through six courses that integrate theory andpractice. We use a range of teaching and learning methods, including problem-based learning activities, psychological skills workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials, placement activities, and video interactive guidance.

Courses
• The profession of educational psychology in context
• The effective practitioner
• Applying psychology: creative assessment, interventions and solutions in
practice
• Research methods 1 and 2
• Thesis

Length of programme and teaching arrangements
The programme starts in September and extends over three years of full-time study. In the first year, you will engage in learning activities at the IOE and undertake placements in local authority or children’s services settings. At the end of the year, you will seek a bursary funded placement for Years 2 and 3. This is subject to a work-based learning partnership agreement which outlines placement and university requirements.

Assessment
In both Year 1 and Year 2, you are required to produce a 5,000-word assignment. In Year 1 you will also produce a 10,000-word small-scale research report, and inYear 2 you will submit a 10,000-word summary report of your thesis. In Year 3, you will produce a thesis of 30,000 to 35,000 words.

Across the three years, you will submit annual logs of professional activity. Each year you will complete a series of 4,000-word process analyses and 2,000-word summaries of learning activities that will form a professional work portfolio.

Throughout the programme, you will be observed and supervised by tutors and fieldwork consultants.

Entry requirements
You should have at least an upper second-class honours degree in psychology or the equivalent, conferring Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the British Psychological Society.

You should also be able to provide:
• evidence of relevant experience of working with children within educational, child care or community settings
• evidence from the Criminal Records Bureau, demonstrating suitability for direct work with children
• compliance with the Fitness to Practice policy (for more details, see our website)
• an excellent work record, including evidence of outstanding interpersonal skills, provided through employment/academic references.

As for all our research degrees, we also require evidence of your competence in written and oral English.

For more information, visit http://www.ioe.ac.uk/study/RPE9_EDU999.html or come along to our open evening on 21 November, 6pm - 7.30pm to find out about our DEdPsy programme. Further details at http://www.ioe.ac.uk/study/departments/phd/751.html

Read less

The Doctorate in Applied Educational Psychology (Professional Training) is a research degree that holds approval from the regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council, and is accredited by the British Psychological Society.

The location of the programme within the School of Psychology is distinctive and will provide you with a deeper theoretical understanding of your work, as well as the opportunity to meet leading researchers and practitioners.

The programme also has strong working relationships with professional educational psychologists employed by the regional Local Authorities.

Read less

The Masters of Arts in Educational Psychology (MAEP) is a two-year full time 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.

Read less

Summary

Educational psychologists work in a variety of ways to address the problems experienced by children and young people in an educational context. This three-year doctoral training programme, approved by HCPC and BPS, will enable you to develop knowledge, understanding and application of theory, empirical evidence and interventions at the core of the professional practice of educational psychology.

Modules

Core modules include Learning and Development, Emotion and Behaviour, Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, small-scale and applied research projects and a research thesis. Further modules are linked to placement learning and the development of a casework portfolio.

Visit our website for further information.

Read less

This programme offers a comprehensive research training in developmental and educational psychology. It is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council and can lead to further study at doctoral level.

Degree information

Students will develop in-depth knowledge of specialised research skills, and be able to use a broad range of methods to critically appraise and conduct rigorous research in the field. Students learn how to assess the contribution of psychology to policy goals and how to evaluate education policies.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of two core modules (60 credits), two optional modules (60 credits) and a dissertation (60 credits).

Core modules
-Methodology and Statistics
-Qualitative Data Analysis

Optional modules
-Development Psychology (30 credits) OR Personality and Social Psychology (30 credits) OR Cognitive Development and Learning (30 credits)
-Social Development (30 credits) OR Core Topics in Psychology of Education (30 credits)

Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000-12,000 words.

Teaching and learning
This programme is delivered through a combination of lectures by UCL Institute of Education academic staff and guest speakers, group work, discussion, and computer workshops giving hands-on practice. Assessment is through coursework examination. Coursework involves small exercices conducted throughout the module, critiques of set research articles and extended pieces of writing on set topics and the dissertation.

Careers

Graduates of this programme are currently working as researchers in the public and private sectors or are engaged in PhD study.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Trainee Work Psychologist, Jobcentre Plus
-Family Support Worker, Action for Children
-Assistant Psychologist, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Gadjah Mada University)
-Special Support Assistant, St. Anthony's School

Employability
This programme provides valuable preparation either for doctoral study or for a research career in the academic community, the public sector or in industry.

Why study this degree at UCL?

UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is one of the world's leading centres for education and related areas of social science - students learn from leading researchers in the field. For the third year in succession the IOE has been ranked as the world's leading university for Education (QS World University Rankings 2016). Our alumni include government ministers; heads of schools, other educational institutions and NGOs; Olympians; and prize-winning authors.

Read less

Master the study of the social, cognitive, emotional, and educational development of children and young adults with this one-year (fall, spring, summer) master of education degree program in Educational and School Psychology.

While designed for students who plan to pursue certification in school psychology after the master’s degree, this program is also for those who want to take on entry-level professional careers as practitioners or administrators.

All students start as a cohort group in the fall and graduate at the end of summer – a great way to develop relationships with your peers.

As a student, you will:
-Discover instructional methods and cognitive and behavioral theories of learning
-Gain a broad theoretical and practical background in the areas of education and psychology
-Broaden your understanding of human development and learning
-Learn about educational evaluation, research and how to develop evidence-based interventions

Read less

Educational and developmental psychologists focus on how people develop and learn throughout their lifetime. They work with individuals, families, groups and organisations in a range of settings and have varying roles such as school psychologist, guidance officer, and child and adolescent counsellor. They conduct psychological and educational assessments and instructional planning for exceptional children, adolescents and adults.The Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology is an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited fifth and sixth-year sequence in psychology and prepares graduates to practise as educational and developmental psychologists in settings including schools, health and welfare services, care facilities, and within business environments.

The course develops you as an independent specialist with a professional commitment to lifelong learning and application of the theoretical, research, assessment and therapeutic skills related to educational and developmental psychology.

You will develop advanced understanding of, and the skills associated with:

- human developmental stages and processes throughout the lifespan
- psycho-educational assessment and treatment approaches for problematic or atypical development
- advanced therapeutic counselling process and the cycle of effective intervention and change
- contemporary models of exceptionality and inclusion
- evidence-based intervention and treatment programs for psychological problems and psychopathology across the lifespan
- contemporary research and theories of abilities, personality and psychopathology
- ethical, cultural and professional issues
- administering and reporting a range of essential psycho-educational assessment instruments for assessing abilities, personality and adjustment of children through to adults

In addition you will apply theory to practice with 1000 hours of supervised professional placements in a range of settings.

In undertaking a research thesis, you will develop an evidence based approach to psychology, carrying out reviews and scientific investigations relevant to the theory and practice of educational and developmental psychology.

As a graduate, you will be qualified to register as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA). You will also meet most requirements for membership of the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society.

Visit the website http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/educational-and-developmental-psychology-d6007?domestic=true

Course Structure

The course is structured in two parts, Part A. Applied academic studies in psychology and Part B. Clinical placement in psychology.

PART A. Applied academic studies in psychology (72 points)
These studies will advance your knowledge and skill development for psychology practice. Guided by sound ethical principles, and through collaborative participation in coursework lectures and workshops, you will develop both expert knowledge of psychology across the lifespan and your critical thinking skills for professional practice.

You will also undertake research, developing as a scientist-practitioner, as you carry out reviews and scientific investigations relevant to the theory and practice of educational and developmental psychology. This will culminate in a 12 - 16 000 word research thesis, involving an independent empirical investigation of a high scientific standard.

PART B. Clinical placement in psychology (24 points)
These studies are practicum placements across a variety of settings where you have the opportunity to apply theory to practice under the supervision of experienced specialist practitioners. You will complete three supervised placements totalling 1000 recorded hours of practical experience.

For more information visit the faculty website - http://www.study.monash/media/links/faculty-websites/education

Faculty of Education

The Faculty of Education is committed to researching, communicating and applying knowledge about teaching and learning in ways that foster quality in education.

The Faculty of Education develops and provides innovative research and teaching that takes seriously the global-to-local demands of an excellent Australian public university. Our work focuses on advancing the discipline and practice of education through original research, development and partnership activities. We prepare and develop professionals and practitioners for a range of education settings and specialisations. We also engage policy and public debate on matters of importance to education and educators at all levels.

Our mission is to contribute to the public interest through high quality and ethical teaching, research, capacity building and community service. To this end, we create and pursue opportunities that strengthen and sustain a vibrant intellectual community, centred on the purposeful, critical and disciplined study of learning and teaching in a range of contexts.

Our vision is of:

- graduates who are capable, thoughtful, ethical citizens of the world, distinguished by their knowledge, intellectual engagement and professional skill, and by their commitment to lifelong learning, innovation and excellence

- research practice and scholarly output that is recognised internationally and locally for its originality, rigour and impartiality, and for providing advice and services that inform and lead professional practice, public debate, policy and community action

- an intellectual, social, physical and web environment that challenges, enthuses and supports all to learn and excel, and which sustains productive working relations characterised by mutual respect, accountability, contribution and recognition.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/educational-and-developmental-psychology-d6007?domestic=true#making-the-application

Read less

Health psychology is an exciting and growing branch of psychology that applies psychological theory and research to behaviours and beliefs related to health and illness.

Health psychologists’ interests are firmly in line with government health agendas, and include the promotion of positive health behaviours in adults and children; reducing obesity, binge drinking, smoking and stress; and increasing psychological wellbeing.

The route to Chartered Psychologist status is through the attainment of an accredited MSc Health Psychology (stage 1 training), followed by supervised professional practice (stage 2 training).

USW’s MSc Health Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as providing students with the knowledge and skills required for Stage 1 of your training in qualifying as a Chartered Psychologist and practitioner health psychologist.

The MSc Health Psychology is taught by registered practitioner health psychologists (who are also BPS Chartered) with many years of specialist teaching, research and clinical experience in a range of areas of health psychology. Specialist practitioners contribute a contemporary perspective as guest lecturers.

We have ongoing research collaborations with NHS clinicians that provide opportunities for students to have access to clinical populations for dissertation research projects and work experience placements. These currently include psychiatry liaison, pain management, eating disorders and cardiac rehabilitation.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/300-msc-health-psychology

Five BPS Commendations

The course recently received five commendations from the British Psychological Society who praised the relationships we have with external health and clinical practitioners, and the opportunities these provide to students; the programme’s development in relation to the health needs of the local and wider population in response to the priorities of the Welsh Government Department of Health; the high level of student support; the emphasis on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to prepare students for the reflective skills they will need in practice; and the opportunities provided to students by Psychology Plus (employability scheme).

Work Experience Opportunities

We have ongoing research collaborations with four Welsh Health Boards and NHS clinicians that provide opportunities for students to have access to clinical populations for dissertation research projects and work experience placements.

Pawb, our on-campus clinic offers a wide range of psychological services to the public. Students will be able to benefit from supervised voluntary experience and in-house research opportunities.

What you will study

You will study the following modules:
- Contexts and Perspectives in Health Psychology
- Research Methods in Health Psychology: Measurement & Professional Issues* Applications of Health Psychology
- Health-related Cognitions and Behaviour
- Stress, Health and Illness
- A Lifespan Perspective on Health, Illness & Disability
- Independent Research Dissertation
-

Learning and teaching methods

Teaching includes lectures, seminars and workshops, some of which will be student-led. There will be a variety of assessment activities such as examinations, essays, case study analysis, poster presentations and the design of a health promotion campaign.

The MSc Health Psychology provides students with opportunities for work experience in the School of Psychology’s own Psychology and Well-Being Clinic (PAWB Wales), in addition to research projects with our NHS partners on issues such as pain management, eating disorders and cardiac rehabilitation.

As well as our excellent dedicated teaching facilities, the University has recently invested in a new clinic facility that offers a wide range of psychological services to the public. The Psychology and Well-Being Clinic Wales (PAWB Wales) services include play therapy, health psychology, sport psychology, occupational psychology and behaviour analysis. Through the clinic, MSc Health Psychology students and trainee practitioners can gain access to real life training opportunities.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

The Sc Health Psychology provides current, up-to-date theory, knowledge and skills related to therapeutic play and enables graduates to work as therapeutic play specialists in educational, healthcare or social care settings.

In addition, an understanding of play is key to current government education initiatives and course content addresses the Welsh Government’s Foundation Phase and other early years educational curricula. Hence this award offers excellent career development in the field of play, whether as a teacher or education specialist, play worker or play development officer, nursery manager, or work in health or social services.

Assessment methods

Assessment uses a variety of methods, including essays, diaries, research reports, presentations, portfolios of observations and clinical notes. There are opportunities for work placements.

Facilities

As an MSc Health Psychology student, you’lll have access to the latest learning technologies, facilities and equipment, including excellent designated facilities.

These include observation and interview rooms equipped with two-way mirror, CCTV and audio and allow research and interview practice sessions to be conducted and recorded onto DVD. We also have a custom-built air-conditioned PC laboratory which provides access to specialist software for running psychology experiments and conducting careers guidance interviews. More specialist equipment is also available in our cognitive suite and more details about this are given below.

The cognitive psychology suite houses specialist psychology equipment. This includes eye tracking equipment which is capable of studying the eye movements of individuals whilst they complete cognitive tasks. The suite includes EEG (electroencephalogram) and ECG (electrocardiogram) facilities for recording electrical activity in the heart and scalp. There is also a driving simulator which is currently being used by postgraduate students to complete a study which examines the effects of stressors on driving performance.

As well as our excellent dedicated teaching facilities, the School of Psychology offers a wide range of psychological services to the general public. These are offered through our new PAWB Wales clinic facility and include play therapy, behaviour analysis, health and sport psychology interventions. The clinic activities support our wide range of postgraduate opportunities and undergraduate students can also get involved in some of the clinic’s work.

Read less

The MSc Psychology and PGDip Psychology are British Psychological Society (BPS) approved conversion courses. They are designed for graduates of any discipline whose first (i.e. undergraduate) degree is not recognised by the BPS.

- MSc Psychology is a 180-credit qualification which requires no previous experience or study of psychology.
- PGDip is a 120-credit qualification which requires that you have already completed 60 credits of study in psychology.

Successful completion of either qualification confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS.

The PG Dip and MSc students are taught together, with the MSc students taking their additional modules from term two onwards. This means that, assuming you meet the entry criteria for both courses, it's easy to transfer from one to the other at any point in the first term.

This course attracts a range of students including those who have recently completed an undergraduate degree in a subject other than psychology or a non-accredited degree and also applicants who have come from jobs in the public and private sector, who are looking for a career change.

Core modules:

Core modules may include:
Biological Psychology
Social Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Individual Differences
Historical and Conceptual Issues
Research Methods
Statistics
Psychology Research Project.

In addition, MSc Psychology students complete an extended essay focused on a topic of their choosing, as well as 20 credits of 'Contemporary Psychology' selected from a list of available option choices.

Specialist Psychological Essay (MSc only)
Contemporary Psychology (MSc only)

For more information visit http://www.ntu.ac.uk/psychologymsc

Facilities

The University has made significant financial investment in the Psychology Division over recent years upgrading accommodation, facilities and equipment used exclusively for the provision of our psychology courses and for research. We have a first class undergraduate teaching laboratory suite and a second teaching laboratory specifically catering for postgraduate students.

In addition there are specialist suites dedicated to particular areas of interest in psychology, including:

social interaction, group work and interviewing
computer gaming and cyberpsychology
eye-tracking
cognitive modelling and visual analysis
psychophysiology.

Alongside these are new flexible cubicles for student project work, a psychometric test bank library, and a technical workshop.

Delivery and assessment

The course provides lectures, seminars, tutorials and lab classes that facilitate the development of a course identity among students. All of the core modules on these courses are taught exclusively to MSc and PGDip Psychology students by experienced staff used to working with students from a wide variety of backgrounds and with varying skills and experiences. Further support is provided through a dedicated tutorial system. Tutorials provide an opportunity to discuss the course content, studying methods, careers and assessments in small groups.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways and on a modular basis; through examination (both seen and unseen exams are used), coursework (including essays, laboratory reports and literature reviews), oral presentation and via your research project.

Careers

With the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS secured, you will be eligible upon graduation to undertake further training as a professional psychologist (in areas such as clinical, forensic, educational, occupational, counselling, or sport psychology).

Alternatively you might choose to pursue an academic and/or research career in various areas of psychology (by working as a research assistant or associate or by completing a dedicated Research Methods Masters or studying for a PhD), or you may choose to exploit the transferable skills you have learned on the course to pursue a career outside of psychology.

Psychology qualifications tend to be very popular with all employers because you have to be able to write essays and reports, you have to have some basic mastery of research and data analysis, and because they assume you know quite a lot about people!

Scholarships

The MSc Psychology is included in the School of Social Sciences' competitive Masters Scholarship scheme. However as the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology is not a full-time Masters course this course is excluded from the scheme. For more information please visit http://www.ntu.ac.uk/s3scholarships

Want to find out more? Come along to one of our postgraduate Open Evenings. For further details please visit: http://www.ntu.ac.uk/s3events

Read less

Why Surrey?

Our innovative MSc Health Psychology programme applies the theories, methods and techniques of psychology to issues of health and illness.

These are integrated into the psychological processes related to the maintenance of health, the promotion of the psychological wellbeing of the physically ill, and the normal and pathological responses to ill health and stress.

Programme overview

Our MSc Health Psychology programme will equip you with a sound knowledge of theories and practical issues relevant to health psychology.

You will consider the psychological and physiological responses of the individual to ill health, as well as the social and community contexts of health-related behaviours and healthcare systems.

The programme will equip you with a sound knowledge of theories and practical issues relevant to health psychology, in addition to a solid understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research.

The programme, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), provides the academic component (Stage One) on the route towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist.

Programme structure

This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time over two academic years. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation.

Example module listing

The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.

• Conducting Health Psychology Research
• Chronic Conditions
• Psychological Aspects of Health Care
• Maintaining Health Throughout the Lifespan
• Dissertation
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Aspects of Experimental Psychology
• Crafting Research: Linking Theory and Methods
• Ergonomics and Human Factors
• Psychological Neuroscience: Psychophysics and fMRI
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Health Psychology
• Psychology of Sustainable Development
• Key Questions in Environmental Psychology: People & Places
• Contemporary Health Psychology and Professional Practice

Educational aims of the programme

The aims of the programme are:

• To provide students with advanced knowledge and understanding of theory and practice in Health Psychology in accordance with the 15 competence requirements pertaining to Stage 1 of the British Psychological Society criteria for achieving Chartered Status in Health Psychology
• To train students in the informed and systematic application of the research-practitioner involving problem analysis and formulation, intervention design and evaluation
• To enable students to harness relevant theory and evidence in the integrated formulation of a wide range of commonly encountered health problems and issues
• To produce students equipped with the basic interpersonal, technical and creative skills required for the effective analysis and formulation of health problems, and for the effective design, implementation and evaluation of health interventions
• To prepare students for professional work pursued in a highly responsible, self-regulated, self- efficacious and politically sensitive fashion
• To facilitate self-reflection in support of personal and professional development via constructive feedback

Programme learning outcomes

The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas: 

Knowledge and understanding

Students will gain knowledge and understanding of the following:

• Health psychology as an applied science
• The relevance of theory to professional practice
• Theory and evidence pertaining to the core areas as detailed by the british psychological society: context and perspectives in health psychology, epidemiology in health psychology, biological mechanisms of health and disease, health-related behaviour, health-related cognitions, individual differences, stress, chronic illness/disability, lifespan, gender and crosscultural perspectives, health care contexts, applications of health psychology, research methods, empirical research project, measurement issues and professional issues
• Basic and advanced research design and methods of investigation (qualitative and quantitative), data analysis principles and techniques
• The contemporary economic and political context of health care work
• Place and value of health psychology within an interdisciplinary framework

Intellectual / cognitive skills

Students will be able to:

• Critically assess and comment on both published and unpublished sources of research and commentary on health psychology issues
• Critically weigh up the contributions and limitations of health psychology in addressing various problems and issues
• Analyse and theoretically formulate various problem scenarios and issues pertinent to the practice of health psychology using a range of models and theories consistent with the principle of integrative practice
• Design, conduct and evaluate health psychology research and researchbased health psychology interventions
• Analyse and take into consideration the economic and political context of a health problem or issue in the process of designing and implementing tailormade interventions
• Reflect on particular case examples (hypothetical and real) with a view to informing theory development/elaboration in an iterative fashion

Professional practical skills

Students will have the skills to:

• Select, design, implement and evaluate a wide range of research techniques pertinent to research and research-based practice in health psychology
• Acquire some preliminary skill in designing research-based health interventions
• Analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data in a competent and critical manner
• Present/communicate their work in a professional manner for both academic, non-academic and business audiences, in both written and verbal (one-to-one, group) formats
• Apply problem-solving strategy and techniques
• Prioritise work, multi-task and manage time under pressure

Key / transferable skills

Students will be able to:

• Communicate ideas, principles, theories and problem formulations by oral, written and visual means
• Elicit high quality information and data from field sources
• Operate within a problem-solving research-based practitioner framework
• Conduct oneself in a professional (accountable, responsible), self-regulated and constructively critical fashion
• Use interpersonal and social skills as appropriate
• Apply analytical skill in a problem solving context
• Use information technology
• Pursue continuous improvement via self-reflection and other forms of professional and personal development activity

Global opportunities

We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.

In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.

Read less