Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology is one of eight departments in the School of Health and Life Sciences. British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation has been in place for undergraduate Psychology provision at Glasgow Caledonian University (and its predecessors) since the mid 1970s. As well as the BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology programme, the department offers the only BPS accredited MSc Forensic Psychology programme in Scotland. Three further BPS/HCPC accredited/approved doctoral training programmes in Psychology are also offered, including DPsych programmes in Counselling Psychology, Health Psychology and Sport and Exercise Psychology.

At GCU, Psychology is strongly focussed on the application of psychological knowledge and research for the common good. Our three DPsych programmes form our Applied Psychology Doctoral Framework (APDF) which offers a highly effective postgraduate training model. The APDF offers shared profession-specific teaching, while also delivering domain-specific training. Students benefit from shared teaching and learning on ‘core’ topics, allowing for wider integration with other students studying on the APDF while still developing a very strong professional identity within their own domain of study. This is a highly innovative model of postgraduate teaching and is the only one of its kind currently offered in Scotland.  

Research

Research within the Psychology Department covers many areas, including Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Sport & Exercise Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Cognitive Psychology and Applied Social Psychology, amongst others. Academic staff contribute strongly to broader university research themes, notably within the Safeguarding Health Through Infection Prevention Group, Ageing Well Group, Living with Stroke and other Long-term Conditions Group, Musculoskeletal Health Group, Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses Group, Healthy Lives and Relationships (including the Substance Use and Misuse Group and the Parenting and Family Support Group). The department is also active in Knowledge Transfer and Commercial activities through a range of consultancies.

Explore our research

Degree courses

Courses 1 - 6 of 6 card list

  • Applied Psychology

    • 2022/23
    • BSc (Hons)

    Accredited by:

    • BPS
    Award:
    • BSc (Hons)
    Start date:
    • Sep 2022
    Subject:
    • Psychology
    Accreditation:
    • BPS
    Exploring the thoughts and behaviour of others, you can pursue a career in psychology or other professions that involve psychological skills. Study the challenges that face individuals, society, business and educators at degree level.

  • COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate

    • 2021/22
    • Certificate
    Award:
    • Certificate
    Start date:
    • Feb 2022
    Subject:
    • Psychology
    Gain an introduction to counselling, enhance your interpersonal and communication skills and practise active listening with the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate.

  • Counselling Psychology

    • 2021/22
    • DPsych

    Accredited by:

    • HCPC
    • BPS
    Award:
    • DPsych
    Start date:
    • Sep 2021
    Subject:
    • Psychology
    Accreditations:
    • HCPC
    • BPS
    Take existing skills in psychology and apply them to advanced clinical practice and postgraduate research. Choose a career pathway in professional practice and academia.

  • Forensic Psychology

    • 2021/22
    • MSc
    Award:
    • MSc
    Start date:
    • Sep 2021
    Subject:
    • Psychology
    Apply existing analytical and evaluation skills to forensic psychology. Progress to a career in the public/private and third sectors, working in the courts, law enforcement, prisons, hospitals, mental health or social work. The course is accredited b

  • Health Psychology

    • 2021/22
    • DPsych

    Accredited by:

    • HCPC
    • BPS
    Award:
    • DPsych
    Start date:
    • Sep 2021
    Subject:
    • Psychology
    Accreditations:
    • HCPC
    • BPS
    This three-year taught doctorate in Health Psychology offers training in psychotherapeutic skills, research and behaviour change. It is accredited by the BPS and HCPC.

  • Sports and Exercise Psychology

    • 2021/22
    • DPsych

    Accredited by:

    • HCPC
    • BPS
    Award:
    • DPsych
    Start date:
    • Sep 2021
    Subject:
    • Psychology
    Accreditations:
    • HCPC
    • BPS
    Choose to progress to a career as a sport and exercise psychologist. Apply existing skills in psychology and sport sciences to the understanding, predicting and explaining of changes in mental processes relating to sport and exercise.
Courses 1 - 6 of 6

Meet the department

Our teaching and support staff are here to help (see below).

For Course and programme enquiries: T: +44 (0)141 331 8630 / E: studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk

Reader and Head of Department
Department of Psychology

Kerri McPherson is a Reader in Health Psychology and she is Head of the Department of Psychology. She is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and a registered Health Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Lecturer in Psychology
Department of Psychology

Phil Dalgarno is a lecturer in Mental Health Psychology with a particular interest in altered states of consciousness and both the positive and negative aspects of psychoactive substance use.

Senior Lecturer in Applied Health Psychology
Department of Psychology

Dr Kareena McAloney-Kocaman holds a BSc (Hons) Social Psychology from the University of Ulster, a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Care Ethics and Law from the University of Manchester, and a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Ulster.