Overview

NFQ Level 9, Major Award

The MA (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.

Part I consists of 60 credits and Part II consists of 30 credits, for a total of 90 credits.

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.

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.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Full-time

Students take 90 credits as follows - 60 credits of taught modules in Part I and a dissertation (30 credits) in Part II.

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Part I
Students take 60 credits as follows - all listed code modules (50 credits) and 10 credits of elective modules:
Core Modules
AP6061	Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis	5
AP6062	Quantitative Research Methods for Professionals	5
AP6181	Practice of Evidence Based Coaching	10
AP6182	Positive Psychology and Human Flourishing	10
AP6183	Positive Psychology Coaching Practice	10
AP6184	Cognitive Enhancement and Motivational Interviewing as Strategies for Change	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 10 credits from the following:		10
AP6129	Health Psychology (5)
AP6159	Positive Organisational Psychology (5)
AP6160	Private Practice (5)
AP6164	Positive Psychology in Group Settings (5)
AP6169	Learning, Well-Being and Participation at Work (10)
Part II
Students take 30 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP6171	Research Dissertation in Work, Organisational and Coaching Psychology	30
Total Credits		90

Part-time

Students take 90 credits as follows - 40 credits of taught modules in Year 1, and 20 credits of taught modules and a dissertation (30 credits) in Year 2.

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Part I - Year 1
Students take 40 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP6181	Practice of Evidence Based Coaching	10
AP6182	Positive Psychology and Human Flourishing	10
AP6183	Positive Psychology Coaching Practice	10
AP6184	Cognitive Enhancement and Motivational Interviewing as Strategies for Change	10
Part I - Year 2
Students take 10 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP6061	Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis	5
AP6062	Quantitative Research Methods for Professionals	5
Elective Modules		10
Students take modules to the value of 10 credits from the following:
AP6129	Health Psychology (5)
AP6159	Positive Organisational Psychology (5)
AP6160	Private Practice (5)
AP6164	Positive Psychology in Group Settings (5)
AP6169	Learning, Well-Being and Participation at Work (10)
Part II
Students take 30 credits as follows:
Core Modules
AP6171	Research Dissertation in Work, Organisational and Coaching Psychology	30
Total Credits		90

Programme Learning Outcomes

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.