MSc Applied Psy DBS

lulu03

Hello, I am currently in DBS finishing a batchelor degree in Psychology which is accredited by PSI. The college also offers MSc in Applied Psychology, however, this is not accredited by PSI. The awarding body is HETAC. I spoke to one of the lecturers about the course and was told that the master's degree does not have to be PSI accredited. Is this true? Does anyone have a similar experience?

IrishBuddha

Hey mate,

I am looking at starting the DBS Applied Psychology course myself and on the website it says that it is PSI and BPS accredited, is this not the case? And while the masters degree does not have to be accredited, you are better off doing an accredited masters anyway, especially if you want to go down the clinical route.

lulu03

Hello IrishBuddha,
the MSc is NOT accredited by PSI or BPS - be careful when reading the text - it sounds a bit misleading. I have e-mailed them and asked about it. They stated that they are seeking the HETAC accreditation - I think 2012/2013 is their first year of offering this course. I know few people that decided to go for it anyway. Who knows, it might be good. The lecturers in DBS are top class. I think I'll try to get some work experience first and maybe re-apply next year. Hope this helps.

IrishBuddha

work experience is a nightmare to get, last place i went to advertised as a "psychologists assistant". Really meant that you would be washing and wiping old people. Having done the psychology course from DBS and seen the jobs situation out there its gonna be hard to get genuine experience unless you do something along the lines of home care. I've been working full time in insurance since i left college and still keep an eye out on jobs, thats why i was looking at the courses now, just to get out of it. Addiction Studies looks pretty good and gives you clinical placements which will probably end up being invaluable. The lecturers in DBS are brilliant, especially Rik and Gary!

lulu03

Yeah, you're right. The 'real' PA positions are very hard to come by. But after reading lots of different posts on this matter (here on the boards) people say that perseverance is everything. So I'll give it a go and let you know how I got on.
Addiction studies wouldn't be my cup of tea but I know that it is a well-established course. There is a lot of psychoanalysis again but I guess DBS takes very Freudian approach to everything anyway. Good luck with it.

Odysseus

IrishBuddha wrote: »

work experience is a nightmare to get, last place i went to advertised as a "psychologists assistant". Really meant that you would be washing and wiping old people. Having done the psychology course from DBS and seen the jobs situation out there its gonna be hard to get genuine experience unless you do something along the lines of home care. I've been working full time in insurance since i left college and still keep an eye out on jobs, thats why i was looking at the courses now, just to get out of it. Addiction Studies looks pretty good and gives you clinical placements which will probably end up being invaluable. The lecturers in DBS are brilliant, especially Rik and Gary!

i have being workimg and teaching in the addiction field a long time. It is a very good course and if you are interested in addiction i would recommend it.

IrishBuddha

Hi Odysseus,

Would you know if the course draws heavily on the psychoanalytical approaches as i know one of the core texts is written by Rik Loose himself or does it have a broad spectrum approach as i'm not very interested in the psychoanalytical approaches.

Cheers,

Mark

Odysseus

IrishBuddha wrote: »

Hi Odysseus,

Would you know if the course draws heavily on the psychoanalytical approaches as i know one of the core texts is written by Rik Loose himself or does it have a broad spectrum approach as i'm not very interested in the psychoanalytical approaches.

Cheers,

Mark

It does draw upon a wide range of approaches but psychoanalysis is a fundamental aspect of it. So if you don't like Lacan or Frued sadly you will miss out as this is not for you. Though imo Lacan and Freud had a lot to offer us about addiction, a lot of the senior therapists in the HSE addiction services agree as they study them.