The MA in Applied Psychology (Positive and 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:
a) An undergraduate honours degree (Level 8), in which at least a second class honours (or equivalent) was awarded.

2. Personal Statement:
In order to determine suitability, 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 reference from a professional coach.

Selected candidates will be interviewed.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I consists of 60 credits and Part II consists of 30 credits.

Part I (Full-time)
Students complete core modules to the value of 50 credits, and select 10 credits from the Elective Modules.

Core Modules (50 credits)
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)
AP6181 Practice of Evidence Based Coaching (10 credits)
AP6182 Positive Psychology and Human Flourishing (10 credits)
AP6183 Positive Psychology Coaching Practice (10 credits)
AP6184 Cognitive enhancement and motivational interviewing as strategies for change (10 credits)

Elective Modules (10 credits)
AP6129 Health Psychology (5 credits)
AP6159 Positive Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP6160 Private Practice (5 credits)
AP6164 Positive Psychology in Group Settings (5 credits)
AP6169 Learning, Well-Being and Participation at Work (10 credits)

Part II (Full-time)
AP6171 Research Dissertation in Work, Organisational and Coaching Psychology (30 credits)

 

Part-time

Part I
Year One
Students complete 40 credits in Year One.

Core Modules to the value of 40 credits:
AP6181 Practice of Evidence Based Coaching (10 credits)
AP6182 Positive Psychology and Human Flourishing (10 credits)
AP6183 Positive Psychology Coaching Practice (10 credits)
AP6184 Cognitive enhancement and motivational interviewing as strategies for change (10 credits)

Year Two (for 2018-19 only)
Students complete 15 credits in Year 2 for Part I.

Core Module (10 credits)
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)

plus 5 credits of Elective modules (from those not previously selected)
AP6117 Wellness Coaching (5 credits)
AP6129 Health Psychology (5 credits)
AP6159 Positive Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP6160 Private Practice (5 credits)
AP6164 Positive Psychology in Group Settings (5 credits)
AP6169 Learning, Well-Being and Participation at Work (10 credits)
AP6176 Cognitive Enhancement (5 credits)

Part II
AP6171 Research Dissertation in Work, Organisational and Coaching Psychology (30 credits)

Year Two (2019-20 onwards)
Students complete 20 credits in Year 2 for Part I.

Core Module (10 credits)
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)

plus 10 credits of Elective modules
AP6129 Health Psychology (5 credits)
AP6159 Positive Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP6160 Private Practice (5 credits)
AP6164 Positive Psychology in Group Settings (5 credits)
AP6169 Learning, Well-Being and Participation at Work (10 credits)

Part II
AP6171 Research Dissertation in Work, Organisational and Coaching Psychology (30 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Positive and Coaching Psychology)
Students who successfully complete and pass taught modules to the value of 60 credits in Part I and opt not to complete Part II may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology (Positive and 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 (Positive and Coaching Psychology) subject to the programme being on offer.

Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology (Positive and Coaching Psychology)
Students who successfully complete and pass taught modules to the value of at least 30 credits in Part I may exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Psychology (Positive and 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 (Positive and 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 2018/2019 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules 2018/2019.

Programme Learning Outcomes for MA in Applied Psychology (Positive and 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:

• Understand the self-actualising needs of clients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and devise optimal strategies for their development;
• Coach clients appropriately for goal attainment and well-being in both one-to-one and group settings;
• Evaluate relevant theory and empirical findings, and apply these to practice;
• Conduct and disseminate research of a publishable standard;
• Acquire a theoretical and conceptual understanding of positive psychology and coaching psychology;
• Develop behaviour change expertise using the frameworks of positive psychology and coaching psychology;
• Synthesise approaches to wellbeing from positive psychology and coaching psychology and apply them in practical settings;
• Understand the factors that underpin and maintain successful behaviour change;
• Be able to critically reflect on professional strengths and needs, and through supervision devise a professional development plan.

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

• Understand the self-actualising needs of clients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds and devise optimal strategies for their development;
• Coach clients appropriately for goal attainment and well-being in both one-to-one and group settings;
• Evaluate relevant theory and empirical findings, and apply these to practice;
• Conduct and disseminate research of a publishable standard;
• Acquire a theoretical and conceptual understanding of positive psychology and coaching psychology;
• Develop behaviour change expertise using the frameworks of positive psychology and coaching psychology;
• Synthesise approaches to wellbeing from positive psychology and coaching psychology and apply them in practical settings;
• Understand the factors that underpin and maintain successful behaviour change;
• Be able to critically reflect on professional strengths and needs, and through supervision devise a professional development plan.

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

• Understand the theoretical and conceptual understanding of positive psychology and coaching psychology;
• Appreciate the process of behaviour change using the frameworks of positive psychology and coaching psychology;
• Understand approaches to wellbeing from positive psychology and coaching psychology;
• Understand the self-actualising needs of clients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds;
• Understand the process of coaching clients appropriately for goal attainment and well-being in one-to-one settings.