[psychk]

Hi. Im just looking for a bit of advice. I completed a Bsc hons degree in psychology last year and before that completed a FETAC level 5 in Community care. I have been working full time in childcare for the past six years and am currently doing a FETAC level 5 in special needs assisting...problem is, I still dont know what kind of career I can go into with these qualifications, I would love to do a masters in CBT or educational psychology but Id have to give up my job and my savings and in this climate it does not seem like a good idea, I would like to work as an SNA but would also like to use my degree in some way too.. does anyone know of any accredated masters programmes which are part time or distance learning..or any advice on career path would be appreciated..im also qualified in holistic therapies like reike and IET and was thinking i could merge this with psychology somehow...very confused!!

[hotspur]

Would you be interested in, say, Trinity's post-grad diploma in ABA? You can then do their Msc in Psychology (ABA). As far as I know these are doable while working if what you are working in is a context for ABA.

http://www.psychology.tcd.ie/postgra...nalysis/pgrad/
http://www.tcd.ie/Graduate_Studies/p...?course_id=175

[Humria]

Originally Posted by hotspur

Would you be interested in, say, Trinity's post-grad diploma in ABA? You can then do their Msc in Psychology (ABA). As far as I know these are doable while working if what you are working in is a context for ABA.

I wouldn't recommend specialising in ABA at the moment as the government are effectively getting rid of ABA in favour a cheaper (and less effective looking at the research) alternative approach. In specialised schools around the country mainstream teachers are being brought in and ABA tutors are being downgraded to SNAs. There is nothing wrong with being an SNA but the qualifications/experience you need to become one are less intense and expensive than training in ABA.

I'm afraid I don't have any constructive advice to offer you. The present state of psychology is an "all or nothing" field to work in. The basic degree doesn't qualify you to do anything really. If you want to use your degree and work as a "psychologist" it may be necessary to commit to the time and expense of further training. I'm open to correction but that's been my experience so far.

[bisset]

After getting a BA in psychology in a previous recession I went to the UK. After a few years working in mental health in the community I then went back to college in UK and did a post graduate course in Social Work. Quite a few of the people on my course had degrees with a psychology element. I dont know what its like getting onto post graduate social work courses in R.O.I..Having said all that there are hardly any job opportunities in Ireland at the moment in the caring professions.

[Old Perry]

If its the academic route your interested in, from what ive heard anyways, it would be very worthwhile considering a masters abroad if you have the option for a year or 2. Ireland is very competitive and quite restricted in terms of postgrad psychology, although if you are restricted to staying in ireland there is always a way of pursuing your goal.

For anyone interested in coarses within europe, http://www.mastersportal.eu/, loads of taught masters out there in many different disciplines and multi-disciplines done through english. the website doesnt give all the information you need but its a very good starting point.