Starting a Masters degree...

paul92

3 weeks in to a journalism course that wasn't my first choice and today I got a letter saying my rechecks in my Leaving caused a subject to go up a grade meaning I'm now offered my first choice of Psychology!

Only problem is now I've been enjoying my course so I need to decide which I'll prefer...

One of the things I'm considering though is just staying with what I have and then doing a masters in psychology in 3 years time.

Do things work that way or would I need to do some sort of undergraduate degree in psychology to apply for a masters in psychology?

Basically what's the story if you want to study a particular masters degree.

Any advice/info would really be appreciates!

Cat Melodeon

As far as I know, all Masters in psychology in Ireland have an entry requirement of at least a 2.2 in an undergraduate degree in psychology. UL has a one-year program that allows entry with a joint honours degree with psychology making up at least 50% of the degree. Trinity and UCD require your undergrad degree to be recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland. I don't think a journalism degree would qualify you for entry to any of those programs I'm afraid, they require extensive prior knowledge of the subject.

What you might be able to do is a one-year conversion program - this is effectively a one year Higher Diploma in psychology that will allow you entry to the MA/MSc (provided you do well enough of course). I'm not 100% sure how they operate - ie I don't know if you do the Higher Dip in UCD will that make you eligible for a Masters in Trinity, they might be institution-specific.

Your best bet at this point would be to speak to a careers advisor in your college and get their input. It would be a shame to give up a course you are enjoying when in 3 years time you might no longer be interested in psych.

Cat Melodeon

Just to add, looking briefly at the main uni websites, all the conversion courses I've seen are 2 yrs full time:

UCC conversion course (2 years): http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/what/acsss/hdip/psych/

NUIG (2 yrs): http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/psychology-full.html

UCD (2 yrs): http://www.ucd.ie/psychology/postgraduateprogrammes/higherdiploma/

You would effectively spend 3 yrs on your BA, do the HDip conversion for 2 years, then spend another year doing the Masters. It's a pretty roundabout (and expensive) way of getting a postgrad.

What are your reasons for wanting to study psychology at postgrad level? Do you want to get in to clinical practice?

Lamrin

Could you consider doing a joint honours degree in Psych and Journalism?