Keynote Panel: Teaching Tips from Europe

Teaching (Undergrad) Psychology in Ireland

Suzanne Guerin

School of Psychology, University College DublinUCD Fellow in Teaching & Academic Development

PSI Division of Teachers and Researchers in Psychology

Presented at 6th International Conference on Psychology Education, Flagstaff, Arizona

Ireland in Europe

Source: www.google.com/maps

Psychology in Ireland

• Two jurisdictions on the island• Psychology in Northern Ireland

accredited by British Psychological Society

• Psychology in the Republic of Ireland accredited by Psychological Society of Ireland

• Approx. 15 institutions delivering accredited UG & PG programmes on the island– Two tiers; established

institutions and younger organisations (some private colleges)Source:

www.123digitalmaps.com/free-maps/country-maps/free-digital-map-ireland-706

Structure of UG Psychology in Ireland• Quality & Qualifications Ireland has overall responsibility for 3rd

level – operates the National Framework of Qualifications• In Psych UG Level 8 Honours Bachelors degree is standard– Level 8 Higher Diploma (conversion) also common

• Three or Four years in total (varies across institutions)• No statutory accreditation for psychology (Yet!!!)• Accreditation operated by the Psychological Society of Ireland

National Framework of Qualifications - Source: http://www.nfq.ie

Challenges

• Many programmes require that students have access to non-psychology modules/units and choice of modules

• Courses use a system of core and optional modules to ensure that key components are addressed – what is core?

• Challenge of meeting accreditation requirements within this framework – How current are these requirements?

• The changing statutory context creates some uncertainty• High level of competition for places on psychology programmes• Students enter programmes with very varied understanding of

the subject• High level of expectation regarding professional training in

psychology and working as a psychologist• Attitudes regarding different sub-disciplines e.g., clinical

psychology

Teaching Tips

• Requirements of accreditation create a structure for joined up thinking about programme progression – Progression and balance in assessment

• Be guided by Irish University Association Graduate Attributes• Develop co-taught modules to ensure different perspectives and

support from colleagues• Draw on online resources• Draw on scholarly resources – Increasing interest in SoTL as

teaching activity is increasingly being considered in promotion• Draw on networks of colleagues – PSI Division of Teachers &

Researchers in Psychology• Engage with student societies and groups of students to

understand and address expectations – PSI Student Affairs Group

Thank You!

• Any questions?

• Information on the Psychological Society of Ireland:– www.psychologicalsociety.ie OR– www.psihq.ie

• Please feel free to contact me: Suzanne.Guerin@ucd.ie