The MA in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology) is a full-time programme running over 12 months or part-time over 24 months from the date of first registration for the programme.

1. Academic Record (for students commencing the programme in 2015/16 only):
a) An undergraduate honours degree (Level 8), in which at least a second class honours was awarded.
b) A Higher Diploma in Coaching/Coaching Psychology (Level 8), in which at least a second class honours was awarded.
c) However, in special circumstances we would consider applications from candidates who do not meet the above requirements provided they have a vocational professional qualification in a relevant subject area and/or have relevant experience in the area of coaching.

1. Academic Record (for students commencing the programme from 2016/17 onwards):
a) An undergraduate honours degree (Level 8), in which at least a second class honours was awarded.
b) However, in special circumstances we would consider applications from graduates who do not meet the above requirements provided they have a vocational professional qualification in a relevant subject area and/or have relevant experience in the area of coaching.

2. Personal Statement:
Each candidate will supply a personal statement conveying:
i) An interest in the appropriate application of psychological theory and methods to coaching practice.
ii) Reasons for applying to the course, including a written statement about career objectives.
iii) All applicants must arrange for one Referee's Report form to be posted directly to the School of Applied Psychology, University College Cork.   The reference must be a professional reference from someone who has experience of the applicant in a professional capacity, whether in paid or voluntary work.

Eligible candidates may be interviewed.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I (Full-time)
Core Modules
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)
AP6116 Positive Psychology and Coaching (5 credits)
AP6117 Wellness Coaching (5 credits)
AP6157 The Competent Coach: Ethics and Supervision (5 credits)
AP6159 Positive Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP6160 Private Practice (5 credits)
AP6161 Coaching Skills 1 (5 credits)
AP6162 Evidence Based Coaching: Theory, Approaches and Models (5 credits)
AP6163 Coaching Skills 2 (5 credits)
AP6164 Positive Psychology in Group Settings (5 credits)
AP6226 Theory of Psychological testing (5 credits)

Part I (Part-time)
Year One
Core Modules, 40 Credits
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)
AP6157 The Competent Coach Ethics and Supervision (5 credits)
AP6159 Positive Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP6161 Coaching Skills 1 (5 credits)
AP6162 Evidence Based Coaching: Theory, Approaches and Modules (5 credits)
AP6163 Coaching Skills 2 (5 credits)
AP6164 Positive Psychology in Group Settings (5 credits)

Year Two
Core Modules, 20 Credits
AP6116 Positive Psychology and Coaching (5 Credits) 
AP6117 Wellness Coaching (5 credits) 
AP6160 Private Practice (5 credits)
AP6226 Theory of Psychological Testing (5 credits)

Part-time students must pass Year 1 before they can progress to Year 2.

Part 2
AP6137 Dissertation in Applied Psychology (30 credits)

Where a student achieves an overall mark which is considered borderline fail a viva voce examination may be requested by the Programme Director.

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology)
Students who successfully complete and pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits in Part 1 and opt not to complete Part 2 may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology). A student who subsequently applies to undertake the Master's programme must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology) subject to the programme being on offer.

Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology) 
Students who successfully complete and pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits in Part 1 may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology). A student who subsequently applies to complete the Master's programme must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology) subject to the programme being on offer

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2016 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2015/2016.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MA in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, within the coaching context, students should be able to: synthesise evidence based approaches to coaching, and in doing so,

• Foster the personal, health, social and career development of the individual;
• Assess the needs of clients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds;
• Coach clients appropriately on personal, health, social and career goals in both one-to-one and group settings;
• Evaluate relevant theory and empirical findings, and apply these to practice;
• Empower individuals to build on their strengths;
  
• Perform and interpret appropriate assessment tools;
  
• Keep appropriate records;
  
• Perform the coaching function within established ethical and professional boundaries;
  
• Contribute to workplace and professional networks;
  
• Conduct and disseminate research of a publishable standard.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology) (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Foster the personal, health, social and career development of the individual;
• Assess the needs of clients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds;
  
• Coach clients appropriately on personal, health, social and career goals in both one-to-one and group settings;
  
• Evaluate relevant theory and empirical findings, and apply these to practice;
  
• Empower individuals to build on their strengths;
  
• Perform and interpret appropriate assessment tools;
  
• Keep appropriate records;
  
• Perform the coaching function within established ethical and professional boundaries;
  
• Contribute to workplace and professional networks.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology (Coaching Psychology) (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Foster the personal, health, social and career development of the individual;
• Discuss relevant theory and empirical findings, and discuss their application to practice; 
• Empower individuals to build on their strengths;
• Keep appropriate records.