Educational Psychology

27061986a

Hi,
I am currently a 4th Year student of psychology at Trinity College Dublin. I am hoping get into the educational psychology field in time to come. If I were to apply to the MAEP which is run by MIC Limerick, what type of experience would I need for the entry requirements? i.e. it says Substantial experience (2 yrs min) of working with children in education or community settings.

NeonCookies

Hi, I'm interested in the same career path. Here's some info from this link, I know it's from the UK but I'd presume there'd be the same criteria here. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/educational-psychology/decpsy/application.htm

Relevant work experience may be gained in a wide range of roles (see below for some examples; please note that these are not exhaustive). Some work experience or combinations of work experience allow applicants better opportunities to acquire the necessary appreciations and competencies.

• Educational Psychology Assistant • Teacher • Portage Worker • Learning Support Assistant • Speech and Language Therapist • Care Worker • School or Children's Nurse • Assistant Clinical Psychologist working with children • Connexions Advisor • Social Worker • Family Worker • Play/Art Therapist • Educational Social Worker • Child Psychotherapist • FE Lecturer (16-19 years) • Assistant Occupational Therapist • Assistant Physiotherapist • Counsellor • Children's Centre Worker • Youth Worker • Research Work • Learning Mentor

Working as an Assistant in an educational psychology service is an example of work experience that is likely to allow applicants good opportunities to gain a realistic appreciation of the role of work through working alongside a number of EPs over a period of time. Work will be undertaken with clients in contexts where the EPs in their service are also working and will require a high level of professionalism and competence. Such experience should allow candidates to provide evidence that they have acquired and applied skills and knowledge of direct relevance to preparing for training as an educational psychologist. Assistant Educational Psychologist posts are usually advertised in the Times Educational Supplement.

Work experience will be less valuable where it has:

• ...not brought applicants into contact in any significant way with the work of educational psychologists. • ...not involved contexts and client groups frequently encountered by educational psychologists. • ...not required application of psychological theory and research or further acquisition of knowledge and skills relevant to training as an EP. • ...not required the demonstration of competence and professionalism. These aspects are often more difficult to evidence through work experience which is exclusively part-time, short term or voluntary, or which occupies only a small number of hours per week. This is because requirements for commitment, perseverance and responsibility may be less clear and more difficult to demonstrate than in the case of sustained periods of paid employment occupying a substantial proportion of the working week.

I'm planning to work voluntarily as a Special Needs Assistant. Do you think you'll do a Masters? I'm trying to decide if I will, and if so, which one.

NeonCookies

Oh, here's another useful link I found. Again, from the UK. There seems to be very little info provided from Irish universities. http://www.liv.ac.uk/careers/students/downloads/gettingstarted/Educational_Psychology_GS.pdf

WillowRod

Hi all,

I am new to Boards and I hope that someone might be able to guide me. I have long thought my goal was to become a clinical psych. However, it is a long, arduous road and now I am not sure if it is still for me. It is very uncertain therefore I am looking at other options. I have been looking at educational psychology and I actually think this may suit me better. I want to work with children! Most of my experience has been in the psychology department within child disability services. I completed a 9 month placement part time in a child disability service and published research with another child disability service. I have a masters in applied psychology and some further experience in community mental health services securing grants and developing mental health services/projects many of which were focused on providing mental health support for parents, families, adolescents and individuals with disabilities.

Do you think this experience would be relevant? I do not have a teaching qualification or experience. Also, how do others fund themselves through this training? Unfortunately, I would not be able to afford it without working part-time. Are student loans to cover fees feasible?

I greatly appreciate any responses.


THREAD CLOSED due to 1. being an ancient thread and 2. the same question being asked in a new thread. JC