Clinical Psychology Postgrad in Trinity-Help?

allym

I'm currently studying for my Leaving and hoping to do Psychology and Clinical Postgrad. I'm aiming for Trinity but if I don't get it what are my chances of getting into the Clinical Postgrad if I do my degree somewhere else, like NUIM? Can anyone help me out? Has anyone done this?
Thanks

Sir Ophiuchus

Wow. That is one detailed career path, expecially at your age.

Right, when you say "Clinical Psychology postgrad" do you mean the D. Clin. Psych (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology)? That is *extremely* hard to get into.

The course requirements, officially, are: Applicants will be formally required to hold at least an upper second class honours primary degree in Psychology from a recognised University Course, which confers eligibility for graduate registration with the Psychological Society of Ireland. A candidate’s demonstrated interest in the field of clinical psychology and research competence will also be taken into account.

In practice, you not only need the degree (NUIM would be fine, as far as I know they don't care at all where you did it, as long as it's a recognised university) but probably a Master's and/or a metric ton of research and work experience. People with Master's degrees who've done year-long unpaid assistant jobs to get experience haven't got in. People have applied for several years in a row before getting in.

I'm really not trying to put you off, just trying to give you an idea of the sheer amount of work involved.

This thread in the Psychology forum is fantastic and may give you some ideas and more direct information. The Psychology forum in general has a lot of information about working in the field of Psychology - I recommend it highly.

Finally, best of luck!

jokettle

As a psychology graduate who also wants to do Clinical, I can tell you it's not an easy path. Ideally you need to shoe postgrad experience in both research and clinical work. Research is easy enough to do through a Master's/PhD but the clinical experience is more tricky to get in Ireland since we don't have many official Assistant Psych jobs. I know a few people who moved to the UK for these jobs, I volunteered for a year but I dont really recomment it! I know one of my old lecturers from UCD is applying for the course, so that's the level of competition you're up against. It's not impossible, just be aware that it's a LONG road.

The Black Oil

Yeah, it's potentially quite a long road ahead of you. A lot of people want to do clinical and it's rather competitive, sometimes it seems like they're shifting the goalposts as well. Work hard and get some experience under your belt. You may need a Master's before you would be considered for a short list or an interview and you may have to try a few times as suggested above.

Don't be afraid to stick your head into the Psychology forum on here. Check out this link as well. http://www.psihq.ie/members_studentNews.asp

jokettle

One more thing, which you may have realised by now-most people son't get into the clinical doctorate programme until their late 20's. A neuropsychologist I volunteered for got accepted at 29 and he was the youngest in his class. It's not impossible to get in at an earlier age, just be prepared for a few rejections along he way. It's worth it in the end though (or at least that's the belief I'm clinging on to!)

allym

Thanks very much all that information is really helpful as my school guidance counsellor is no help at all! Looks like I've an awful lot of work ahead of me