Course Summary
This is an innovative MA programme that brings together the fields of Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Academic Record
A minimum Second Class Honours Grade II undergraduate (honours) degree (NFQ Level 8).
Personal Statement
Each applicant will supply a personal statement conveying:
An interest in the appropriate application of psychological theory and methods to coaching practice.
Reasons for applying to the course, including a written statement about career objectives.
All applicants must arrange for one Referee's Report form to be completed and uploaded to their application. You need to provide evidence of at least two hours of work with a professional coach. They need to be a member of one of the professional bodies cited above under Skills and Careers Information.
MAAPPP Reference Form: After submitting the online application, the Reference form must be downloaded and emailed to your Referee to complete. The Referee must return the completed form to you and you must then upload to your application.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Application Details
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
Coaching Psychology is a developing profession within the wider field of Psychology. In the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), it is considered a Special Interest Group. This is a step on the way to becoming a full Division, where practitioners will be able to term themselves Chartered Coaching Psychologists.
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has established a Division of Coaching Psychology, so this programme is truly for the trailblazers – some of you might shape this profession in years to come.
Of course, you do not need to be a psychologist to be a great coach. If you decide not to follow the PSI route you would most likely want to join one of the coaching professional bodies and start following their accreditation routes such as the Association for Coaching, European Mentoring and Coaching Council or the International Coach Federation.
Master's training is an integral part of any human services profession. Ultimately we envisage our graduates will have three career routes opened to them by completing this course.
1. Private sector work - either as a consultant practitioner or through the development of private practice.
2. As part of a route to becoming a chartered coaching psychologist or an accredited coach.
3. A Research/Academic career in Psychology or related area perhaps by moving into a PhD.