Courses Master's Degrees Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology and Neuropsychology, LM-51Characteristics and Career Opportunities

Characteristics and Career Opportunities

Characteristics and Professional Opportunities

 

The Master's degree program, structured in two curricula, has a standard duration of two years after the completion of the Bachelor's degree. The typical student workload corresponds to the completion of 120 ECTS credits over the two years, approximately 60 credits per year. The student may earn the degree upon acquiring 120 credits, fulfilling all the requirements set by the current regulations.

 

Cultural and Professional Profile of the Master's Graduate

The Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology and Neuropsychology requires a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in all areas of psychology. In particular, it focuses on four main areas of study, research, and intervention: general and experimental psychology, developmental and educational psychology, social and work psychology, and clinical and health psychology.

The program aims to train graduates with specialized expertise in clinical psychology and health psychology, as well as psychological assessment and intervention in neuropsychology. Graduates will possess:

• In-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of research methods and techniques, including innovative ones, in psychology;
• The ability to use cognitive and intervention tools for the prevention, diagnosis, habilitation, rehabilitation, and support of individuals, groups, and communities, also in interdisciplinary contexts;
• The ability to design, implement, and manage interventions that align with the needs of individuals, groups, organizations, and communities, including in interdisciplinary contexts;
• The ability to evaluate the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of interventions;
• Advanced skills in managing and conveying information appropriately to different audiences;
• Learning abilities that allow for ongoing self-directed education and professional development, even after the degree is awarded;
• The ability to work with full professional autonomy, respecting ethical codes, taking responsibility for one's actions, and collaborating in multidisciplinary teams.

These skills provide a solid, specialized education aligned with European standards for preparing psychologists for the profession, enabling graduates to work in various areas of professional intervention in psychology.

Moreover, depending on the chosen curriculum, students can deepen their understanding of methodological, theoretical, and practical approaches with a particular focus on clinical psychology, health psychology, and psychological assessment and intervention in neuropsychology.

 

Career and Professional Opportunities for Graduates

Clinical and Health Psychologist role in the workplace:

Upon registering with Section A of the National Order of Psychologists, the graduate will have access to the psychology profession. Graduates in Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology may work as independent professionals or employees. They may assume high-responsibility roles in research, teaching, intervention, and consultancy within organizations and services aimed at individuals, groups, and communities, as well as in public, private, and third-sector institutions. They may also coordinate and supervise psychological technique practitioners.

Specifically, the Master's graduate in Clinical and Health Psychology performs the following functions:

• Design and conduct empirical research based on both traditional and innovative methods in clinical psychology and health psychology;
• Conduct clinical interviews and observations in various clinical contexts;
• Psychological assessment using appropriate methods (interviews, diagnostic interviews, observation, tests) to evaluate individuals, groups, and social interactions;
• Psychological assessment of normal and pathological sexual behavior and diagnostic classification of sexual disorders and dysfunctions;
• Interventions to promote health, modify risk behaviors, and foster social integration and participation;
• Design, implement, and evaluate habilitative, preventive, and rehabilitative psychological interventions for individuals and groups;
• Conduct rehabilitation, functional re-education, and social integration interventions for people with disabilities;
• Design and implement interventions to support family relationships, reduce caregiving burdens, and develop support networks in both normal and disability contexts;
• Create educational projects to promote individual growth potential and social integration, as well as facilitate communication processes;
• Implement psychological interventions to treat sexual disorders and dysfunctions;
• Evaluate the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of clinical and health interventions.

Competencies associated with the role:

• Research methodology skills, particularly in Clinical and Health Psychology;
• Design of empirical research using both traditional and innovative methods;
• Competence in clinical assessment methods and attachment evaluation throughout the life cycle;
• Competence in the psychology of cognitive and metacognitive processes;
• Knowledge in the psychobiology of resilience and vulnerability;
• Competence in neuropsychology;
• Skills in conducting psychological interviews;
• Expertise in group psychodynamics;
• Competence in clinical psychological counseling;
• Knowledge in health psychology;
• Expertise in psychotherapy models;
• Knowledge of psychology and psychopathology of sexual behavior;
• Competence in psychology of change processes.

Additionally, through elective courses, students can acquire knowledge in psychopharmacology, psychiatry, anesthesiology, resuscitation, pain therapy, oncology, public health, forensic medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, and endocrinology.

Through internships and practical training experiences, students will acquire knowledge of the practical applications of clinical psychology, health psychology, and professional ethics.

 

Professional Opportunities:

The Master's graduate, after passing the State Examination and registering with the National Order of Psychologists, Section A, can work in all areas defined by Law No. 56/1989 on the regulation of the psychology profession, which states in Article 1: "The profession of psychologist includes the use of cognitive and intervention tools for prevention, diagnosis, habilitation-rehabilitation, and psychological support for individuals, groups, social organizations, and communities. It also includes experimental, research, and teaching activities in this field."

Thus, graduates can work in organizations and services aimed at individuals, groups, and communities (e.g., schools, early childhood services, public and private healthcare, public administration, research institutions, third-sector entities, local government, social cooperatives), in private practices, translational research teams, companies, professional guidance services, personnel selection, and optimization of workplace quality. Graduates may also engage in independent professional practice in clinical, developmental, neuropsychological, social, occupational, organizational psychology, and consultancy for public and private institutions.

 

Psychologist with knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform assessment and psychological intervention in neuropsychology. Role in the workplace:

• Psychologist expert in the assessment of cognitive and affective-emotional disorders
• Contribution to diagnosis formulation
• Intervention planning
• Evaluation of intervention effectiveness