The MA in Work and Organisational Psychology (for psychology graduates) or Work and Organisational Behaviour (for non-psychology graduates) is a full-time programme running for 12 months, or a part-time programme running for 24 months, from the date of first registration for the programme.

MA in Work and Organisational Psychology

• An undergraduate degree in Psychology that satisfies the eligibility requirements of the Psychological Society of Ireland or other country national equivalent (e.g. BPS or APA).
• A second class honours grade one degree is required. 

Consideration will be given to second class honours grade two candidates, where for example an applicant has relevant work experience or has performed impressively in another Master’s degree acceptable to the School selection committee.  In such cases, the student will be required to set out the grounds upon which they wish to be considered in their application supplementary statement and/or interview acceptable to the School selection committee.

MA in Work and Organisational Behaviour

• An undergraduate degree that includes subjects related to the area (e.g. business, psychology, human resource management, organisational behaviour, sociology of work).  Applicants with a 2H1 degree in any discipline and a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience will also be considered.
• A second class honours grade one degree is required. 

Consideration will be given to second class honours grade two candidates, where for example an applicant has relevant work experience or has performed impressively in another Master’s degree acceptable to the School selection committee.  In such cases, the student will be required to set out the grounds upon which they wish to be considered in their application supplementary statement and/or interview acceptable to the School selection committee.

Eligible candidates may be interviewed.

For all applicants whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL equivalent is required (see here for details).

Entry criteria

The criteria for selection will include:

• Academic performance.
• Demonstrated interest in, or work experience relevant to, work psychology.

Application process
Application is via PAC and includes a 500 word personal statement, giving reasons for applying to the course including a statement about career objectives.

Statements will be evaluated on the basis of:

• Demonstrating some awareness of work and organisational psychology.
• Showing evidence of how this Masters fits with careers interests and objectives.

Shortlisted candidates may also be interviewed.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Full-time

Part I
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)
AP6166 Personnel Selection and Assessment (10 credits)
AP6168 Designing in Work and Workplaces (10 credits)
AP6169 Learning, Well-Being and Participation at Work (10 credits)
AP6170 Professional Skills (5 credits)
MG6020 Changing, Leading and Developing Organisations (5 credits)

Elective Modules
Student select 10 credits from the following:
AP6159 Positive Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP6160 Private Practice (5 credits)
AP6161 Coaching Skills 1 (5 credits)
AP6176 Cognitive Enhancement (5 credits)

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

Part-time

Part I
Year One
AP6166 Personnel Selection and Assessment (10 credits)
AP6168 Designing in Work and Workplaces (10 credits)
AP6169 Learning, Well-Being and Participation at Work (10 credits)
AP6170 Professional Skills (5 credits)
MG6020 Changing, Leading and Developing Organisations (5 credits)

Elective Modules
Students select one five credit elective from the list below (5 credits)

Year Two
AP6016 Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 credits)

Elective Modules
Students select one five credit elective (not previously taken in Year One) from the following:
AP6159 Positive Organisational Psychology (5 credits)
AP6160 Private Practice (5 credits)
AP6161 Coaching Skills 1 (5 credits)
AP6176 Cognitive Enhancement (5 credits)

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

Postgraduate Diploma in Work and Organisational Psychology (NFQ Level 9, Major Award) (for psychology graduates)
Students who have completed and passed modules to the value of at least 60 credits in Part I and who fail AP6171 or do not wish to proceed to Part II may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Work and Organisational Psychology.

Postgraduate Diploma in Work and Organisational Behaviour (NFQ Level 9, Major Award) (for non-psychology graduates)
Students who have completed and passed modules to the value of at least 60 credits in Part I and who fail AP6171 or do not wish to proceed to Part II may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Work and Organisational Behaviour.

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 Work and Organisational Psychology/Behaviour (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Critically reflect on professional ethics guiding skilled action;
• Display skills commensurate with planning, conducting and writing up an effective research programme;
• Critically reflect on the nature of the employment relationship, and display a sensitivity to differing stakeholder interests;
• Demonstrate an awareness of organisational theory and the role of organisational context in understanding organisations, leadership and organisational development interventions;
• Critically appraise the psychological literature on individual differences and its application to making decisions in the workplace about personnel selection, assessment, and performance;
• Apply contemporary theories of learning, well-being and participation at work to optimise opportunities for learning and development in work organisations;
• Evaluate appropriate ergonomic and human computer interaction models and evidence around the design, appropriation, experience and impacts, of technologies in a work environment.

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

• Critically reflect on professional ethics guiding skilled action;
• Critically reflect on the nature of the employment relationship, and display a sensitivity to differing stakeholder interests;
• Demonstrate an awareness of organisational theory and the role of organisational context in understanding organisations, leadership and organisational development interventions;
• Critically appraise the psychological literature on individual differences and its application to making decisions in the workplace about personnel selection, assessment, and performance;
• Apply contemporary theories of learning, well-being and participation at work to optimise opportunities for learning and development in work organisations;
• Evaluate appropriate ergonomic and human computer interaction models and evidence around the design, appropriation, experience and impacts, of technologies in a work environment.