Presentation
With this second cycle degree, graduates acquire a high level knowledge and expertise to operate in specific contexts of professional intervention as psychologists.
The course lasts 2 years and awards 300 university credits (CFU/ECTS), including the full recognition of 180 university credits obtained during the first cycle degree on Sciences of Behaviour and Social Relations, Class 34.
The second cycle degree Course in Clinical and Community Psychology is organized according to the most advanced European education models. At the end of the academic studies, the graduate is expected to have the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of the evaluation process, to know how to use the most important therapeutic treatments and to collocate his/her intervention within the community.
Learning outcomes
The specific objectives of this second cycle degree Course are to provide an up-to-date review of the instruments and methodologies available for intervention and diagnosis which psychologists can apply in their work environments. Graduates are expected to acquire the following skills:
- to learn how to use the main theoretical patterns applied to the clinical and the community psychology, and be able to apply them in the clinical and research fields;
- to learn how to use the instruments of psychological analysis for individual, interpersonal and group aspects;
- to learn the fundamental elements of the psychopathological classification;
- to understand the role of the psychological factors in the dynamic equilibrium between health and disease conditions;
- to learn the recommendations and the limits of the psychological therapies and counselling;
- awareness of the ethical principles which form the basis of psychological practice.
Final examination
Discussion of a written thesis paper or a technical product, demonstrating the acquisition of the specific skills and knowledge referring to this second cycle degree Course.
Career opportunities
The graduate from this Degree Course must pass a state examination at the end of his/her academic studies in order to be qualified for the profession of psychologist and for the obligatory admission to the Register of Psychologists, as required by Italian law. The psychologist operates in complete autonomy adopting clinical approaches, methods and techniques which aims to:
- help individuals, couples, families and groups to cope with different typologies of psychological disorders relating to the cognitive, emotional and psycho-social sphere;
- promote the health and the psychological well-being in different contexts of the ordinary, social and professional life.
The clinical and community psychologist operates in different public and private institutions (e.g., the National Health Service, territorial health services, hospitals and clinics, nursing and therapeutic communities, communities for drug addicts, etc. or social-assistance or educational services, etc.), or as an autonomous professional for activities of counselling. He/she can also obtain the qualification of psychotherapist at postgraduate or specialization schools as required by Italian law (law 56/89). The clinical and community psychologist has advanced psycho diagnostic and counselling skills to carry out, for example, the following professional activities:
- analysis of the demand, evaluation of the situations of psychological discomfort, crisis and maladjustment during the entire patient's life (childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age);
- use of clinical and reactive instruments to assess the individual's functional skills, personality characteristics, social-psychological discomfort and situations of stress;
- definition of therapeutic recommendations at individual and group levels on the basis of the indications and the limits of the different psychological therapies and counselling modalities;
- implementation of individual and group counselling interventions;
- projecting, management and coordination of intervention projects on psychological discomfort, including those requiring the participation of professionals from other areas;
- projecting and management of follow-up surveys and analysis of the results of the social and clinical initiatives at individual and group levels.
Access to further study
Graduates who wish to continue their studies with further training or educational activities have the following options:
Second level Master's Degree Courses;
School of specialization with a 4-year duration for the practice of psychotherapy;
PhD or Doctorate Degree Courses.