DBS School of Arts is delighted to announce that the Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology (Level 8) has received professional accreditation by the Psychological Society of Ireland. This programme joins the BA (Hons) in Psychology at DBS which has been accredited since 2001. The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) is the learned and professional body for the profession of psychology in Ireland. The Society has grown significantly since its foundation in 1970 and now has over 2300 members. PSI strives to promote good psychological practice by setting high standards of professional education and conduct for the profession. Dublin Business School was the first college outside the University sector to received accreditation from the Psychological Society of Ireland.
Accreditation is both a status and a process. As a status, accreditation provides public notification that the programme meets standards of quality set by PSI. As a process, accreditation involves seeking PSI accreditation through self-evaluation and external peer review. The accreditation review process seeks not only to meet standards but to continuously seek ways in which to enhance the quality of education and training provided.
In addition to ensuring standards in training, professional development and practice, the PSI regularly acts to ensure the continued contribution of psychology to Irish society. It makes submissions to government on issues relevant to the discipline, and the Society is the national advisory body on psychology to the Department of Health and Children. At the international level, the PSI works closely with the British Psychology Society on issues of shared interest and concern, and operates in consultation with its European and global umbrella organisations, EFPA (the European Federation of Psychologist Associations) and IUPsyS (the International Union of Psychological Science).
This is an exciting development for the College as it enhances the programme’s value and will enable all successful graduates of the programme to pursue both professional training and Masters programmes in a chosen area of Psychology.
The Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology at DBS is suited to graduates who wish to pursue a professional career or postgraduate study in psychology but who don't hold an honours degree in psychology. The course enables students to study key areas of psychology in a thriving research environment and, through a supervised research dissertation, explore practical issues of interest and relevance to a range of theoretical and occupational fields. Students will develop a firm knowledge base in psychology and gain experience of the research process that will build upon the skills and knowledge that they have already acquired in earlier studies. The Higher Diploma in Arts in Psychology represents the necessary first step to becoming a professional psychologist.