Overview
Launched in direct response to the increasing neurodevelopmental, learning, and psychological needs of young people, families, and communities across Ireland, DCU’s pioneering Doctor of Child and Educational Psychology equips ambitious psychology graduates to become qualified Educational Psychologists. In this essential role, you will support psychological well-being, learning, and inclusion across diverse educational and community settings. With an acute national shortage of psychologists, your expertise will be in high demand, offering a vital opportunity to lead transformative change and address critical national needs.
Designed for those taking the definitive next step toward professional practice, this three-year, full-time doctoral programme merges rigorous academic scholarship with applied training, supervised practice placements, and cutting-edge research. Step into a key leadership role at a pivotal time for psychological services, gaining the advanced expertise required to innovate, advocate, and transform outcomes for children, families, and communities.
As part of DCU’s thriving campus environment, you will join a dynamic academic community supported by dedicated faculty mentorship, strong peer networks, and state-of-the-art facilities. Designed for individuals committed to making a tangible societal impact, the DChEdP prepares you to confidently support complex psychological needs and deliver meaningful, lasting change for young people, their families, and communities across Ireland.
Why Choose DCU’s Doctor of Child and Educational Psychology?
- Distinctive Faculty Placement: An Educational Psychology doctorate situated within a School of Psychology, giving you access to a vibrant academic and research community with international expertise across a range of areas including disruptive technologies and cyber and digital psychology.
- Research-Led Pedagogy: Study with leading academic experts in a vibrant teaching and research culture actively contributing to contemporary developments in psychology.
- Psychology Laboratory Facilities: Dedicated laboratories including Clinical Neuropsychology, Visual Cognition, Eye Tracking, Virtual Reality, Behavioural Neuroscience including EEG systems and behavioural testing infrastructure equipped for cognitive and neural research.
- Fully Accredited Pathway: Designed to meet the accreditation and competency frameworks of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and CORU, preparing you directly for professional registration.
- Comprehensive Practical Experience: Complete over 300 days of supervised practice placements across the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and a range of child, adolescent, and young adult psychological services.
- Career Pathway: Under the NEPS bursary scheme, graduates may secure a three-year post-qualification contract with the National Educational Psychological Service.
Why DCU
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Graduates are prepared to work in a range of career paths across educational, health, and community sectors supporting children, youth, and young adults, as well as roles in independent practice, research, and academia.
Entry Requirements
The Doctor of Child and Educational Psychology programme is open to graduates who, prior to application, hold a first or upper second-class honours (2.1) degree in psychology or an equivalent qualification in psychology which meets the requirements for Graduate Basis for Registration with the Psychological Society of Ireland or equivalent.
Primary Degree:
A Level 8 Honours Degree in Psychology, or its equivalent, with a minimum grade of Upper Second Class Honours (2.1).
If the primary degree (Level 8) is in another field, for example, a B.Ed. in Education or a BA in Sociology, applicants must have: A Level 8/9 Higher Diploma in Psychology (Conversion): A 1- or 2-year intensive programme.
Conversion Route: If the undergraduate degree is in another subject (e.g., Arts or Science), a Master’s Conversion or Level 8 Higher Diploma in Psychology (Conversion) with at least a 2.1 award is required.
Professional Experience:
A minimum of two years’ continuous, full-time professional experience (or equivalent part-time) working within psychology, education, disability services, youth work, or closely related health and community settings.
Please Note: Relevant practical experience is a core competency threshold for entry to this doctoral programme. Work completed as part of required course placements during previous academic degrees cannot be counted toward this two-year professional threshold.
Residency & Right to Work:
An important consideration for applying for this professional doctorate (as opposed to a PhD) is that while Dublin City University (DCU) welcomes applications from EU and EEA students, it is a requirement that all applicants have the right to work in Ireland without restriction at the time of application, for the duration of the programme, and for three years post-graduation to fulfil their obligations to their sponsoring agency NEPS/Department of Education and Youth. Non-EU applicants are therefore not considered unless they provide evidence at the time of application of an existing right to work (and the right to residency) in Ireland for the duration of the course and the required post-qualification three years.
Programme Delivery & Attendance:
This is a full-time, on-campus doctoral programme. Students must be available to attend all scheduled academic teaching, supervised practice placements, and research activities in person.
Students must hold a full, clean driving licence upon registration to the programme, to meet the travel requirements associated with practice placements across service settings.
Programme Structure
The Doctor of Child and Educational Psychology is a full-time, three-year, on-campus programme. The curriculum integrates four core pillars:
- Academic Modules: Grounded in contemporary developmental, systemic, and digital psychology.
- Supervised Practice Placements: 300+ days in psychological services.
- Research Training: Advanced quantitative, qualitative, and analytical methodologies.
- Doctoral Thesis: An original, empirical research project advancing the field of educational psychology.
You will critically engage with contemporary issues in educational psychology, adopting innovative, evidence-based approaches to support children, young people, families and communities. The programme is uniquely structured to equip graduates to navigate the intersecting physical, community, and digital ecologies that shape the modern lives of children and young people.
By directly leveraging the School of Psychology’s distinct expertise in cyber and digital psychology, community outreach, and participatory co-design, students will develop a unique profile across Cyberpsychology (understanding online identity, AI, and youth tech interactions) and Digital Psychology (designing digital safety policies and tech-mediated therapeutic interventions), positioning graduates at the leading edge of modern practice.
- Beyond Milestones: Ecological Child and Adolescent Developmental Pathways
- Systemic Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice
- Contemporary Issues in Education and Psychology
- Neuro‑affirmative Frameworks in Psychological Assessment
- Digital Citizenship, Communication and Media Literacy
- Advanced Research Methods
- Advanced Analytical Methods
- Research Thesis
- Supervised Practice Placements (300+ Days across NEPS and Child/Adolescent Services)
While the academic programme is taught entirely in English, it proactively collaborates with placement partners and implements a proactive strategy to expand Irish-medium psychological capacity and address the acute shortage of fluent Irish-speaking Educational Psychologists.
- Targeted Recruitment & Pathways for bilingual applicants.
- Specialised Practice Placements in Gaeltacht schools and Gaelscoileanna.
- Embedded Linguistic Competence co-designed with DCU’s Fiontar and Scoil na Gaeilge.
- Applied Research & Evidence Base examining language use, mental health needs, and service engagement among Irish-speaking communities.
Cé gur i mBéarla go hiomlán a mhúintear an clár acadúil, déantar comhoibriú réamhghníomhach air le comhpháirtithe sochrúcháin agus cuirtear i bhfeidhm straitéis réamhghníomhach chun acmhainn síceolaíochta trí mheán na Gaeilge a leathnú agus aghaidh a thabhairt ar an ngéarghanntanas Síceolaithe Oideachais a bhfuil Gaeilge acu.
- Earcaíocht Spriocdhírithe & Conairí d’iarratasóirí dátheangacha
- Sainsocrúcháin Cleachtais i scoileanna Gaeltachta agus i nGaelscoileanna
- Inniúlacht Teanga Leabaithe arna comhdhearadh le Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge in OCBÁC
- Taighde Feidhmeach & Bonn Fianaise lena ndéantar scrúdú ar úsáid teanga, riachtanais mheabhairshláinte, agus teagmháil le seirbhísí i measc phobail labhartha na Gaeilge
Fees and Funding
Fees
Please Note: All offers of trainee places on the Doctor of Child and Educational Psychology programme are strictly subject to final funding approval. It is anticipated that 15 funded places will be available for the 2026/27 intake under a bursary scheme from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
Successful applicants will receive a bursary for each of the three years of the doctoral programme through the National Educational Psychological Service Bursary Scheme. This includes:
• Full Tuition Fee Coverage: Programme tuition fees are paid for the three-year duration of the programme.
• Financial Stipends: A contribution towards living expenses is provided to support trainees throughout their doctoral studies.
• Post-Qualification Employment Commitment: Structured employment commitments and three-year service arrangements upon qualification.
• Regional Placement Locations: Bursaries are linked to regional NEPS offices across Dublin, Louth, Meath, Donegal, Cavan, and Sligo.
Final confirmation of bursary locations will be shared with shortlisted candidates prior to interview.
How To Apply
Pre - applications have now closed for this programme.
Shortlisted applicants must submit a full application (including references) by the closing date of 31st August.
The following will be required after approval of pre-application:
- Certified academic transcripts for all years of study at college or university in original language, with certified English translations.
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Certified copy of parchment / degree certificate, with certified English translations.
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Additional Questions (Research Proposal & Personal Statement):
These questions provide the opportunity to articulate your motivation and readiness for doctoral-level training in child and educational psychology. Using this template, please provide details on:
- Motivation & Career Goals: Why you are applying to this doctorate and your commitment to a career as an Educational Psychologist.
- Reflection on Professional Experience: How your professional experience has informed your understanding of the role of educational psychologists and prepared you for doctoral study and practice.
- Research Interests & Aptitude: Your research background, relevant academic accomplishments, analytical skills, and how your academic interests align with the programme's core themes.
- Personal Suitability & Values: Demonstration of key interpersonal skills, reflective capacity, ethical & professional values, your perspective on inclusive education, social justice, child wellbeing and alignment with values such as inclusion, diversity, and neuro-affirmative practice.
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Short Research Proposal: Applicants must complete a research proposal using the provided template.
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References:
These should reflect both your academic performance and your professional work experience:
- Academic Reference: Must be provided by your research thesis supervisor or Programme Director from your most recent academic degree (e.g., Level 8 Psychology Honours or Master’s programme).
- Professional Reference: Must be provided by your current line manager or employer within a relevant psychology, education, disability, youth, or community health setting.
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Note: Referees should be able to comment directly on your academic capabilities, practical competencies, and suitability for doctoral-level training.
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If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.
Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full, or until the closing date of 31st August, 2026.
Provisional interview dates for shortlisted candidates are scheduled for Wednesday 16th September – Friday 18th September 2026.
Applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of gaining entry into Ireland are advised that they are ineligible to apply for this programme.
All entry requirements must be met before the commencement of the programme.
Deferrals of offer are not permitted on this programme. Successful applicants must take up the offer in the year that it is made.
No entry via RPL will be considered on this programme.
Queries
Queries on completed applications should be emailed to: postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in October 2026.
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice & Learning Skills Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.