Keynote Panel: Teaching Tips from Europe Teaching (Undergrad) Psychology in Ireland Suzanne Guerin School of Psychology, University College Dublin UCD Fellow in Teaching & Academic Development PSI Division of Teachers and Researchers in Psychology Presented at 6 th International Conference on Psychology Education, Flagstaff, Arizona

Ireland in Europe Source:

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: maps/country-maps/free-digital-map-ireland-706

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

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: – OR – Please feel free to contact me: