[Xander_82]

That article says that they will be combined into a Technical University. The key sentence in that article is " the move could damage the international reputation of Irish education by lowering standards". Regardless of that, yes, a Technical University would be useful in some areas, like engineering and science.

Psychology does not belong in a Technical anything. Would you hire a surgeon who had been educated at an IT? Or a clinical psychologist? No you wouldn't. Sport Psychology is no less a discipline of psychology than clinical, educational or counselling psychology are. Yet because it is an emerging field, there are courses being offered all over the place. I repeat, the masters at WIT is way ahead of any cert or diploma being offered in Ireland. But it is not at the same level of qualification or recognition of competence that a masters by research at one of the universities would have, and is definitely well below someone who has gotten a masters from Loughborough, Univ of Edinburgh or Liverpool John Moores.

[wexpsych]

would I hire a clinical psychologist or a surgeon educated from an I.T.? If it were for myself I would not be so subjective as to base my decision on where they were educated. I would find out about their track record, meet the person to see if I trust them, if that checked out (especially with a surgeon I would research their course to examine the standard of lecturing).
Like I said earlier I believe experience is much more important than education.
this thread was a simple request for experience, no pressure meet up have a chat if your happy o.k if not o.k. at first I thought you were a troll stirring, but your writing makes me think you have a psychology background?
If you have look at your posts from an outsiders perspective, would you employ someone who is belittling, judgmentive, and from my opinion showing an absolute superiority complex? and before you say you were arguing your point I got that impression from the language used in your first post.
If you are interested in sport psych work..you could have started your own thread, or seen how small the response to mine was and used another medium. also i would have been happy to meet up and discuss the subject and work oppertunities with you as I believe the only way to improve is through peer review. however judging from your post you do not see me as a peer, thank god. I will judge myself not by my education but by my deeds
"Education helps one acquire a higher grade of prejudices.
- Laurence J. Peter"

[Xander_82]

"Like I said earlier I believe experience is much more important than education". That is where we differ. They are equally important. Just because a guy in a factory has changed parts in a highly complex machine several times, does not make him an expert. However, if he was also a highly educated engineer, that would make him an engineer.

I know quite a bit about how sport psychology works in Ireland and in the UK. In Ireland there is no pathway laid out by the PSI for someone to become a registered psychologist (like there is with the BPS in the UK). As a result, people go through BASES which has lower criteria than the BPS. Or, in many many cases, don't go through anywhere and just call themselves Sport Psychologists. There is no law against this, and some of the people working with some of the top athletes and teams in the country have no qualifications whatsoever.

This is rubbish. This is completely unfair on every person who worked hard to get the points in their Leaving Cert to get to do Psychology at a university (approximately 500-530 points). On top of that to get a 1st or a 2:1 in that degree, and then on top of all that to either spend two years doing an MLitt here, or spend serious money moving to the UK to do a taught Masters at a university there. What does that guy/girl get? The same as some fella with a cert from 6 weeks of night courses and a NLP cert from a weekend. That's not right.

I'm not saying you are the person with the cert and the NLP. Far from it. That person is stealing your prospective clients and your prospective money. But your masters from WIT is not at the same level of education as what the above person has put themselves through.

I'm sorry you think I am criticising you. But I am sick of all the PC stuff and people thinking "college is college". Its not. There is a big difference between Trinity-WIT-Enniscorthy Tech-Bob's €20 certificates.

[wexpsych]

Originally Posted by Xander_82

"Like I said earlier I believe experience is much more important than education". That is where we differ. They are equally important. Just because a guy in a factory has changed parts in a highly complex machine several times, does not make him an expert. However, if he was also a highly educated engineer, that would make him an engineer.

nothing like a good arguement I have also worked on sites with Highly qualified engineers, architects alongside people without a junior certificate and 9/10 times its those at the practical side of it who are rightI know psych is different but i would listen to a builder before an architect any day. my father is a farmer told the county engineer he was doing our road wrong he didnt listen a month later they were back digging it up again

I agree with what you say about online courses, but in terms of where you went to college in the sports psych game doesnt matter diddly squat (maybe contacts) its all about experience and reputation. I understand your frustration feel it too sometimes. but your original response was bang out of order for a professional no matter what your frustration. If you are interested in the sport psych game remember the majority have done it in W.I.T. the lecturers are heavily involved in trying to redevelop standard practices, so find out a bit more about the course first. it does have its flaws but I got a university standard education while building good relationships with staff that will help me in the future.

[Navarre]

Mod Final Warning


wexpsych and Xander_82
take your Tit for Tat to PM.


@peddlers
If you could also email the Community Managers Dav/Darragh on hello@boards.ie to verify who you are before posting again - standard Boards procedure!

[Trevster]

Hi Xander_82

I've been thinking about doing a Masters in Sport Psychology myself. I'm just not sure whether to do one in Waterford I.T. or a University. Can you tell me specifically why a Masters from a University in this discipline would be better? Thanks!

[Trevster]

Hi Mod. Do you mind putting back up some of Xander_82's previous comments? I found some of them quite informative but can't remember some parts. Thanks

[Xander_82]

Hi Mod. What parts of what I said were inaccurate? Why were my posts removed? I asked several questions and gave several factual statements.

[wexpsych]

he started it!
to be honest though scaller thought it was a nice arguement with nothing personal bit off topic alright but didnt see anything offensive just people arguing their point.
ill be good

[Navarre]

Mod Note

Some informative posts have been put back up
Again i will say Lads be civil and respectful to each other.

And Welcome to the Wexford threads

[bruschi]

not sure how a thread started by someone offering their services for free has descended into an arrogant thread about their education is lesser than others.

best of luck with it wexpsych. sports psychology is something I think in the next few years will become more and more important. If I ever intend to use one, I'll make sure to check they went to a university though.

[Trevster]

I've been bold. I actually hold the MA in Sport Psychology from W.I.T and was one of the first graduates. It was a course developed by people with huge experience in the area.-People who were studying the discipline when Xander and myself weren't even born I'd warrant. Suffice to say thought went into it and continues to do so. If you want to check how it measures up against University courses in Ireland and the UK, ask the people who run it.

To say that it is of lesser value than a Masters from a University, is absolute nonsense. From an applied perspective, a taught masters can be much more useful than a research one, in my opinion. Coupled with accreditation, it's down to the individual to then demonstrate that they are actually a good Sport Psychologist. At the end of the day, a coach or manager decides who they want to employ, or fire.

"If you were able for that standard of Masters, you'd have gone to one"- Xander_82- if you deem it necessary to make your point in such a nasty, disrespectful way, then I'm afraid even the valid points you have made (of which there are many) are negated. Shave that chip of your shoulder saaaaaaaaan!

[Navarre]

Mod Note

This thread has nothing to do with Wexford and has gone completely off topic. The original post wasn't a discussion , but a request, and if people can help they can PM wexpsych.