Program Overview

The Master of Science in Health Psychology (NFQ Level 9, 90 ECTS) is a one year full-time or two years part-time programme that provides learners with the theoretical background and practical skills to apply their psychological knowledge efficiently and productively to effect positive change in the world in the pursuit of  health promotion and illness prevention. The programme covers a wide range of specialist topics that provides learners with the knowledge of theories and concepts relating to the contribution of psychological processes to health and illness and helps them understand how this knowledge can be applied in a variety of contemporary settings at individual, community and global levels.

Learners will explore human behaviour from individual, social and biological perspectives and through a detailed understanding of the discipline, both theoretically and methodologically, and will be enabled to assess appropriate interventions and design appropriate solutions for health needs. Modules focus on the applied nature of professional and ethical issues and advanced research methods while others have a specific focus upon the application of theory to the ‘real world’ allowing learners to further develop and apply competencies and knowledge in Health Psychology. Finally, the programme offers a choice of elective capstone (30 ECTS) pathways that provide an opportunity for research placement and minor dissertation, or the production of a major dissertation. Learners who complete the full programme will therefore also develop and enhance their research capability through critical enquiry and detailed analytical problem-solving.

The programme's specific objectives are to:

• Enable learners to explore the various theories, concepts and processes of Health Psychology.
• Facilitate critical evaluation of competing Psychological theories through critical analysis and appraisal of Psychological studies and projects in health and illness.
• Enable learners to understand how these theories can be applied to understanding human behaviour from individual, social and biological perspectives.
• Relate Psychological concepts, theories and processes to a variety of professional individual and group settings and situations.
• Develop in learners an understanding of contemporary local and global issues using a Health Psychological perspective.
• Enable learners to assess appropriate interventions and design appropriate solutions for clients’ needs using a Health Psychological perspective.
• Develop in learners an understanding of the systematic, replicable and discoverable nature of Health Psychology.
• Enable learners to explore advanced research methods and demonstrate a detailed understanding of the theoretical and methodological considerations, evidencing these skills in a research placement or major research project.
• Provide graduates with the underpinning academic knowledge to enhance their employment and educational opportunities and achieve the award of a Master of Science in Health Psychology.