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Home > Our Courses > Psychology Courses > Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology

Psychology Courses

Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology (Level 8)

Providing cutting-edge psychology education for aspiring H.Dip students and graduates with a general interest in psychology.

full and comprehensive introduction - develop a broad knowledge base in psychology
balance between theoretical and applied issues
designed, taught and assessed to strict NFQ Level 8 standard
small class sizes to foster, encourage and sustain discussion-orientated assessments.

Course Details

This programme will appeal to any Graduates with an interest in psychology. It will also act as a bridging gap to those who want to continue on to the competitive Higher Diploma in Psychology courses available in Irish Universities such as UCD, Trinity and UCC. Our Head of Psychology, Dr. Derek Dorris has designed a Level 8 course which teaches a contemporary theoretical and applied approach to Psychology. Where possible, conceptual and practical links will be established between our psychology content and content typical to non-psychology subjects so that students will be allowed to build on what they already know rather than beginning from scratch. In addition to these broader goals, our most important concern when providing third level education in psychology is with offering a cutting edge programme that captures and imparts a modern understanding of psychology.

We aim to provide a series of modules which individually reflect the natural relationship between theory and practice and when taken together give one a comprehensive sense of how the core areas of psychology work together. If students are not concerned with developing as broad a knowledge base as the entire certificate course provides, they are free to complete any of the modules individually. On their own, the modules will give students a fairly rounded understanding of psychology because of the way in which we have decided to teach them. However, taken together they will give students a full and comprehensive introduction to psychology that will allow for immediate adaptation to the first year in a Higher Diploma course.

Our programme provides students with an education in psychology that strikes a healthy balance between theoretical and applied issues. One that gives the students a realistic notion of how the mind works in the real world, and more generally one that is defined by our commitment to excellence.

Venue: City Centre

Next Start Date: Starts Monday 30th September 2013 | Every Monday & Wednesday 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Module 1: Introduction to Psychology: A Unified Perspective - October 2013

Module 2: Biological & Neuropsychology - November 2013

Module 3: Cognitive & Sport Psychology - December 2013

Module 4: Social & Criminal Psychology - January 2013

Module 5: Personality & Abnormal Psychology - March 2014

Module 6: Health & Wellbeing Psychology - April 2014

Modules can be taken individually where upon completion, a Certificate of Attendance will be awarded. The Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology will only be awarded when all six modules are completed and all assessments passed.

Duration: One Year, part-time. (October - May)

Assessment: Each course module (24 hours) is assessed separately by:

Written Examination
Continuous Assessment
Tutorial Performance
Group Presentation

Award: PCI College Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology

Programme Leader Syllabus Outcomes Eligibility Fees

Dr. Derek Dorris

(B.A.), masters (M.Litt.), and PhD in Psychology
Head of Psychology

Dr. Derek Dorris is one of Ireland's leading cognitive scientists who previous to coming here held the position of College Lecturer in University College Cork for five years. Dr. Dorris is a graduate of University College Dublin where he obtained a degree (B.A.), Masters (M.Litt.), and PhD in Psychology. He has published in top ranked international peer-reviewed journals and in 2007 he was awarded the prestigious IRCHSS Postdoctoral Fellowship. His background is in cognitive psychology with specific interests in self-regulation, motor cognition, and sport psychology.

Read Dr. Dorris' Article on the Course

Modules can be taken individually or all six can be completed to make up the Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology.

For Individual Modules, you will be awarded a Certificate.

Module 1: Introduction to Psychology: A Unified Perspective.

Starts October 2013 | Every Monday & Wednesday, 6.30-9.30pm

Aims: To familiarise students with the scientific basis to Psychology. To introduce key concepts in biological, cognitive, social, developmental, personality, and abnormal psychology. To give them an understanding of how the brain and mind work as a unitary system. To familiarise students with what types of aptitudes are best suited to studying Psychology, and what type of technological competencies are required. To instruct students on the role and importance of research in psychology. To familiarise students with the various research methodologies and statistical approaches employed by psychologists and to give instruction on basic statistical procedures. To make students aware of the various psychological professions, their nature, and what type of qualifications and work/life experience they require. It is intended that this course will provide a strong basis for degree level studies in Psychology or Psychology related subjects.

Syllabus

What is Psychology?
Studying Psychology in the Modern World
Psychology as a Science: History of Presupposition, Schools, and Approaches
Psychology from the Ground Up I: Biology to Cognition to Social.
Psychology from the Ground Up II: A Unitary System
Lifespan Development: From Infancy to Old-age
Psychological Research I: The Role of Research
Psychological Research II: Research Methods & Basic Statistics
Professional Issues I: Education, Career, Clinical
Professional Issues II: Coaching, Counselling, Forensic

Module 2: Biological & Neuropsychology

Starts November 2013 | Every Monday & Wednesday, 6.30-9.30pm

Aims

To introduce key concepts in biological and neuropsychology. To familiarise students with the brain as the organ of the mind. To examine the biological bases of behaviour. To introduce students to basic neurochemistry and neurophysiology of nerve transmission. To explain the structure and organisation of the nervous system. To identify and explain the cortical location of typical cognitive function and those areas of the brain normally involved in abnormal behaviour. To introduce students to biological aspects of learning, memory, motivation and emotion. To provide evolutionary explanations of behaviour.

Syllabus

Introducing Biological & Neuropsychology?
Introduction to Neurological Structure
The Nervous System
Cortical Structure & Function – Which areas do what?
The Biology of Hunger & Thirst
The Biology of Emotion
The Psychology of Learning I – Classical Conditioning
The Psychology of Learning II - Operant Conditioning
Brain Injury
The Evolution of Behaviour.

Module 3: Cognitive & Sport Psychology

Starts December 2013 | Every Monday & Wednesday, 6.30-9.30pm

Aims

To introduce students to key concepts in traditional areas of cognition. To introduce students to key concepts in high-level cognition such as language, awareness, planning, selfhood, free-will, and cognitive control. To familiarise students with both traditional and cutting edge approaches to Cognitive Psychology. To build on that platform of knowledge and give students a cognitive/mechanistic/scientific understanding of the factors that affect athletes’ training and competition. To address the divisive issue of consciousness vs. automaticity in the context of sport performance. To acquaint students with cutting edge psychological research and theories concerning sport and exercise.

By bringing Cognitive and Sport Psychology together in the one course, we are aiming to firstly, provide an applied context which can be used to more fully elucidate the mechanisms of cognition. Sporting contexts are arguably the perfect applied context from where to study cognitive psychology because they act as real-world laboratories. Secondly, we are aiming to gives those with an interest in the field of Sport Psychology a comprehensive knowledge base from which they can more fully understand athletes’ cognition.

Syllabus

Perception
Representation & Memory
Attention & Automaticity
Problem Solving & Judgement Making
Consciousness
Sport Psychology: A Real World Laboratory for Cognitive Psychology
Skill Acquisition & Sport Performance
Motivation & Sport Performance
Mental Imagery, Mental Rehearsal, & Sport Performance
Self-Regulation, Self-Control, & Sport Performance

Module 4: Social & Criminal Psychology

Starts January 2014 | Every Monday & Wednesday, 6.30-9.30pm

Aims

To review methods, theories and approaches to social psychology. To acquaint students with traditional and cutting edge approaches to understanding why and how people behave in groups and to ground this understanding in a mechanistic notion of social cognition. To address issues of selfhood by examining what it is to be an individual in a group dynamic. To look at the proposed causes of prosocial and aggressive behaviour. To build on that platform of knowledge and give students a legitimate psychological understanding of the social and personal factors that influence criminal behaviour using key findings from both case studies and other research methodologies. To familiarise students with the leading theories and perspectives of criminal behaviour and its treatment.

Syllabus

Introducing Social Psychology
The Social Self vs.The Personal Self
Social Cognition : Social Perception & Thinking
Conformity & Group Processes
Prosocial & Aggressive Behaviour
Introduction to Criminal Behaviour & Forensic Psychology
Theories of Criminal Behaviour: Nature vs. Nurture
The Psychology of Detection, & Prosecution: Profiling & Eye-Witness Testimony
The Psychology of Punishment & Rehabilitation
Motivational Interviewing with Criminal & Justice Populations

Module 5: Personality & Abnormal Psychology

Starts March 2014 | Every Monday & Wednesday, 6.30-9.30pm

Aims

To introduce students to the areas of individual differences in personality and abnormal psychology. To introduce students to the history of research and thinking on personality. To acquaint them with different models of personality. To use a grounding in the area of personality to give students a more comprehensive understanding of personality disorders and abnormal psychology in general. To identify the nature, symptoms, and treatment of the major forms of psychological disorders.

Syllabus

What is Personality?
Psychodynamic Perspectives I
Psychodynamic Perspectives II
Phenomenological-Humanistic Perspectives I
Phenomenological-Humanistic Perspectives II
What are Psychological Disorders?
Anxiety Disorders
Mood Disorders
Schizophrenia & Personality Disorders
Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Module 6: Health & Wellbeing Psychology

Starts April 2014 | Every Monday & Wednesday, 6.30-9.30pm

Aims

To give students an insight into the factors that influence mental health, well-being, and mental illness. To familiarise students with those measures that can be taken to promote mental health and prevent mental illness. To demonstrate to them how Psychology has informed and helped perspectives on health by identifying psychologically demanding and/or threatening situations.

Syllabus

Biological vs. Psychological Health
Stress & Well-Being
Coping with Stress
Pain & Pain Management
Attitudes Towards Health & Healthy Behaviour
Psychoneuroimmunology
The Role of the Psychological Therapies in Health Psychology
Psychosomatics & Somatic Movement
Addiction & Its Implications for “Health Psychology”
The Role of Social Policy in Construing the Scope of Health Psychology

Read Full Course Description.

Learning Outcomes

Aiming at Level 8, the overarching learning outcomes for this certificate would be:

Knowledge:

Detailed specialised knowledge across the core areas of psychology.
An understanding of the theory, concepts, and methods pertaining to the field of psychology.
Recognition of limitations of current knowledge.
Familiarity with sources of new knowledge and some cutting edge research across the core areas of psychology.
Integration of concepts across the core areas of psychology.

Skills:

Critically evaluate of a wide range of sources.
To act in variable and unfamiliar learning contexts.
To take responsibility for achieving personal and group outcomes.
To exercise judgement in planning, design, and supervisory functions related to tasks.
To take initiative to interact effectively in a learning group.

1. Applicants need to have successfully completed a Bachelor Degree or equivalent*
2. Entry is by application form.
3. Special Cases may be invited to interview.

*Transcripts will be required before the course commences.

Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course. Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on application.

Fees:
€2,000 (€1,800 for PCI Students & Graduates)

or

€400 per Module (€350 for PCI Students & Graduates)

In order to facilitate students, PCI College has introduced a monthly Direct Debit Plan. Please note that there is an extra charge of €80 for this option.

Payment	Payment Due Date	Amount
Deposit	Due with Application	€ 250.00
Initial Payment + admin fee	October	€ 955.00
Second Payment	November	€ 175.00
Third Payment	December	€ 175.00
Fourth Payment	January	€ 175.00
Fifth Payment	February	€ 175.00
Sixth Payment	March	€ 175.00

PCI Students & Graduates

Payment	Payment Due Date	Amount
Deposit	Due with Application	€ 250.00
Initial Payment + admin fee	October	€ 855.00
Second Payment	November	€ 155.00
Third Payment	December	€ 155.00
Fourth Payment	January	€ 155.00
Fifth Payment	February	€ 155.00
Sixth Payment	March	€ 155.00

Application Process
Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology
Applicants are invited to complete the online Application Form. Applications must be accompanied by an Initial Deposit of €250, which is deductible from course fees if the application is successful. Applicants are entitled to a full refund of the Initial Deposit if they decide to cancel within 7 days of receipt of their application. Should an application be unsuccessful or cancelled by the applicant following this 7 day period, an administration fee of €60 is charged and the balance of €190 refunded.

The balance of fees, is payable in full before the course commences. Fees are non-refundable in all personal circumstances. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort. A full refund will be given to all applicants in the event that the class does not proceed. PCI College

Individual Modules
Individual Modules must be paid for upfront (€400). Fees are non-refundable in all personal circumstances.

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