Educational Psychology

Overview

The Educational Psychology programme at University of Strathclyde combines applied psychology with high quality real world research in a variety of vital and complex educational issues. It provides a framework in developing rich evidence based practice and self-reflection.

The programme takes a distinctive approach to a professional doctoral qualification through its focus on research rather than taught modules, research having been identified in the Currie Report as one of the Educational Psychologists’ core activities. Furthermore, the equal division of credits between two elements of the course, Research and Professional Practice, emphasises that this is a professional doctorate and maintains coherence in the balance between academic and professional elements in the MSc in Educational Psychology.

Aims and learning outcomes

The aim of the Doctorate is to develop:

• research skills in design, data collection and analysis leading to the submission of an original thesis that makes an identifiable contribution to knowledge in an area of developmental/educational psychology

• a critical academic understanding of current advances in theory and research within a specialist area of professional expertise

• effective, critical and reflective independent professional practice using a range of assessment and intervention approaches that are underpinned by psychological paradigms and are evidence-based

Intended learning outcomes will focus on the development of the following key skills:

• research and critical analysis skills

• academic and professional knowledge of current advances in an area of developmental/educational psychology

• critical and reflective practice that is evidence-base

• ecological-systemic practice at levels of casework, consultancy and research/policy development