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Faculty of Science & Health

School of Psychology | Structured Doctoral Pathways 2023-2024

Overview

The School of Psychology is a young, dynamic and progressive environment with a strong reputation for excellence in research and teaching and learning. Our expertise spans a wide range of areas within the field of psychology, including cutting edge cross-disciplinary research. We have established a thriving research community and offer excellent opportunities for research postgraduates to advance their knowledge and skills.

This document details the Structured PhD Programme for the School of Psychology which is tailored to the needs of the School and its postgraduate students. It is a student-centred, flexible, research focused programme, augmented by activities that support the acquisition of a range of relevant specialist and generic skills. In consultation with their supervisor(s), students can undertake a bespoke suite of modules across a number of areas, developing scientific, discipline specific, generic and transferable skills which will be tailored to their needs and ensure successful completion of their PhD and maximise their career flexibility.

Selection and Registration

The core component of the PhD programme is the completion of original research presented in thesis format. In addition, PhD students will also normally have accumulated a minimum of 30 taught credits. MSc students will normally have accumulated at least 20 credits. It should be noted that a maximum of 90 credits may be taken by any student across their registration period. Normally students will take at least 10 credits each year for years 1- 3, with year 4, if appropriate, focused exclusively on their research.

Modules will be taken from the current GTE (Graduate Training Element) offering within the Faculty of Science and Health (FSH). Subject to the availability of GTEs, this document provides examples of discipline-specific skills, transferable skills and elective modules and training.

It is policy in the School of Psychology that all research students who are assigned any teaching related responsibilities must complete GS602 Postgraduate Tutoring Principles and Practice.

Once approval from the supervisor has been granted, students should register for their approved Faculty GTE modules during the online registration process. However, if you wish to take a non-FSH GTE module you MUST first email the module coordinator listed to check that you are eligible to register for this module, then email science@dcu.ie.

Providing:

  • confirmation and proof of approval from module coordinator
  • module code and title
  • student id number
  • qualification code
Progression

The individually tailored structured pathway for each student should be discussed and agreed in the first instance with their supervisor and progress recorded on the annual PGR2 form.

Induction and Training

Research students are also strongly encouraged to take advantage of centrally offered non accredited workshops, seminars and training on academic, software or transferable skills which align with their developmental needs as appropriate throughout their period of study. In year one, all students are required to attend the orientation sessions, the Graduate Studies Office (GSO) and library-run programme and other relevant induction sessions. GSO communicates details of the training schedule to each student at the beginning of each semester. Research students are also required to take the Online Research Integrity Module in year one of their studies.

Core Discipline Specific Modules | Years One to Three 
  • Advanced Research Skills (Psychology) (PSYC521) (10 ECTS)
  • Specialist Topic in Psychology (PSYC528) (10 ECTS)
  • Qualitative Research Summer School (NS5055) (5 ECTS)
  • Strategies for Getting Published (PSYC609) (5 ECTS)
  • Science Communication for Graduate Researchers (PSYC523) (5 ECTS)

 

Core Transferable Skills Modules | Years Two to Three
  • Postgraduate Tutoring Principles & Practice (GS602) (5 ECTS)
  • Qualitative Research Methods (MT610) (5 ECTS)
  • Quantitative Research Methods (MT611) (5 ECTS)
  • Research Ethics (TP602)

 

Elective Modules | Years Two to Three
  • Personal, Professional Planning and Development (HR610) (5 ECTS) - delivered every second year
  • English for Academic Purposes (LC600)
  • Intellectual Property for Commercialisation (GS601) (5 ECTS)

 

Non-accredited Training, Workshops and Masterclasses | Year One
  • Graduate Studies Office Orientation Programme
  • Online Research Integrity Training Module - Biomedical Stream or Social and Behavioural Science Stream (non - accredited)
  • Grant Writing (HR Workshop)

Students are also encouraged to engage with School and centrally offered training workshops and seminars as appropriate throughout their PhD. Students are also expected to attend/present at relevant national and international conferences throughout their PhD.

 

Approval Date