Work Placement Overview
As part of each degree each student is required to complete 15 weeks work experience, September to December (Health Promotion & Exercise and Health) and January to May (Recreation Management).
Work Placement is viewed as an essential element to each degree and is considered a working partnership between an employer, Waterford Institute of Technology and each student to enhance and broaden the practical skill base of each student.
The work placement programme also provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in “action learning” and to integrate classroom theory with the “real world of work”.
As part of each degree each student is required to complete 15 weeks work experience, September to December (Health Promotion & Exercise and Health) and January to May (Recreation Management). Work Placement is viewed as an essential element to each degree and is considered a working partnership between an employer, Waterford Institute of Technology and each student to enhance and broaden the practical skill base of each student.
The work placement programme also provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in “action learning” and to integrate classroom theory with the “real world of work”.
Sample Placements:
Recreation and Leisure:
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Sport, Recreation and Leisure with Key Populations |
Physical Disabilities – Para Olympic Council of Ireland |
|
Intellectual Disabilities – Special Olympics Ireland |
Youth at Risk – Recreation & Sport in Youth Centres |
|
Activity & Recreation Coordinators in Old Folk and Residential Homes. |
GAA Development Officer |
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Kilkenny GAA Development Officer |
Limerick GAA Development Officer |
|
FAI Development Officer |
Waterford Regional Development Officer |
|
Soccer Coaching with Kennedy Cup Squad |
Sports Journalism |
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FAI Game Reporter South East Region |
P.E Teaching |
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Personal Training |
IRFU Coaching |
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Sports Partnerships – Waterford Sports Partnerships |
Leisure Centres |
|
ILAM Ireland |
Community Sports Centre |
BA in Health Promotion:
| Intellectual Disabilities | Youth Centres |
|
Irish Heart Foundation |
Health Promotion Departments within the HSE |
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Health Promotion Departments in hospitals |
Health Promotion Departments in Industry |
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School Completion Programmes |
Health Promotion Officers in the Community |
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Community Development Centres |
Smoking Cessation Officers |
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Cardiac Rehabilitation Units |
GP Referral Schemes |
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County Partnership Schemes |
Regional Drugs Centre |
BA in Exercise & Health Studies:
|
Physical Activity Co-ordinator in the Health Services Executive |
Personal Training |
|
Fitness Centres |
Community Development Officers – through sport |
|
Sports Partnerships |
ILAM Ireland |
|
Sports Officers with key populations |
Human Performance Lab – Fitness Assessment |
|
Leisure CentresCommunity Sports Centre |
ILAM Ireland |
|
Community Sports Centre |
National Coaching and Training Centre (NCTC) |
The MA in Sport Psychology at Waterford Institute of Technology is a new degree programme aimed at educating specialists in applied sport psychology. It is envisaged that graduates will have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to work in the area of enhancing sports performance, sports participation and best practice at a variety of age and performance levels.
Work placement is considered an essential part of the course and takes place in three cycles during the 2nd and 3rd semesters.
Placement 1 (Cycle 1 & 2)
A team or individual sport
Adult sportsmen/ women
Placement 2 (Cycle 3)
One individual
A team or individual sport (must be different to that of Placement 1)
Clubs/ schools/ colleges/ NGB’s
Aims & objectives of placement for the MA in Sport Psychology
To develop one’s own philosophy of sport psychology
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To become familiar with the codes of conduct and ethics with regard to applied sport psychology consulting
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To provide students with the opportunity to plan, implements and evaluate various applied sport psychology techniques
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To provide the opportunity for interaction with coaches and athletes using formal and informal approaches, and in so doing become familiar with the psychological demands of specific sport environments or exercise contexts
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To operate effectively as part of a larger team, often in a leadership role, and involving the negotiation of roles and responsibilities
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To educate coaches, athletes and other sports facilitators about sport psychology, psychological skills training and its value to sports performance
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To provide the opportunity for students to specialise in an area of their choice
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To promote thinking and discussion regarding appropriate methods of service delivery and the development of the student’s own approach to applied sport psychology consulting