Applied Programme in School Psychology

The programme is primarily based on the professional psychologists model of education. Consequently, it emphasizes the development of professional skills for the practice of psychology while offering a wider theoretical and research background to the graduate student. During the first year of studies, the programme aims to provide the student with the necessary theoretical and methodological background. In the second year, the programme consists of specialized coursework that will help the student develop important clinical and professional skills in the area of psychological assessment and intervention. The third and last year of the programme allows the student integrate theory and practice and it centers on clinical training via clinical internship practica, combined with professional seminars and graduate research. Furthermore, students who wish to gain research knowledge and skills beyond what the programme requires have the opportunity to take additional independent research ECTS and complete a Master thesis. This is recommended for students who are considering pursuing a doctoral degree in the future.

According to the Cyprus law, a school psychologist must fulfill the required qualifications (academic and clinical) in order to be included in the official registry of the Cyprus Professional Psychologists. The applied programme requires specialized skills and knowledge that enable the assessment and prevention of, and intervention in, psychological and learning problems. Furthermore, in the context of an applied programme it is expected that the graduate student will acquire the methodological knowledge and research skills required to evaluate intervention and prevention programs. Finally, an essential part of the education of a school psychologist is the gradual development of professional skills through the supervised clinical practicum and, thus, the graduate student is required to complete at least 1500 hours of supervised clinical practicum in appropriate professional settings before graduating.

Completion of the programme in Educational Psychology results in a Master degree. Students who enroll in the programme have
the option to follow either a research/theoretical track which
entitles them to continue their studies at a Ph.D. level, or a
professional practice track which allows themto register and work
as professional educational psychologists.

Duration: The minimum period of study for full-time students is six (6) academic semesters and the maximum period of study is eight (8) academic semesters.

This is a 3-year programme comprising 180 ECTS that includes supervised clinical training (60 ECTS or 1500 hours).

The programme comprises 2 compulsory courses and 13 elective courses each corresponding to 7.5 ECTS, a compulsory graduate research study sequence (7.5 ECTS), a clinical practicum sequence (60 ECTS) and the final comprehensive examination of professional knowledge.

COMPULSORY COURSES (15 ECTS)

PSY 604Multivariate Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences 7.5

PSY 705 Diagnostic Intellectual Assessment of Children and

Adolescents 7.5

COMPULSORY CLINICAL PRACTICUM (60 ECTS)

PSY 698 Clinical Practicum Seminar I 5

PSY 699 Clinical Practicum Seminar II 27.5

PSY 700 Clinical Practicum Seminar III 27.5

COMPULSORYGRADUATE RESEARCHSTUDY (7.5 ECTS)

PSY 622 Graduate Research Study I 2.5

PSY 623 Graduate Research Study II 2.5

PSY 624 Graduate Research Study III 2.5

PSY 688 Compulsory Comprehensive Examination of Professional Psychological Knowledge

Elective Courses*

I. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND OF PSYCHOLOGY

Five of the following courses (37.5 ECTS)

PSY 619 Intelligence: Development and Evaluation 7.5

PSY 706 Neurophysiology (including components of Psychopharmacology) 7.5

PSY 637 Psychosocial Development and

Cross-Cultural Psychology or PSY 653 7.5

PSY 653 Cross-Cultural Issues in Psychology 7.5

PSY 601 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Topics in Educational Psychology 7.5

PSY 715 Language Development and Language Disorders Across the Lifespan 7.5

II. PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION COURSES

Three of the following courses (22.5 ECTS)

PSY 605 Psychometrics 7.5

PSY 615 Early Diagnosis and Intervention for Reading Disabilities 7.5

PSY 642 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology 7.5

III. PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION COURSES

Five of the following courses (37.5 ECTS)

PSY 614 Psychological Interventions in the School I 7.5

PSY 714 Psychological Interventions in the School II 7.5

PSY 610 Psychology of Education 7.5

PSY 652 Preventative Interventions at the School 7.5

PSY 708 Analysis and Modification of School Behavior 7.5

PSY 617 Counselling Psychology 7.5

PSY 701 Psychology of Instruction 7.5

* It should be noted that the list is not exhaustive. More courses will be added in the future according to the needs of the programme).

ELECTIVE GRADUATE RESEARCH STUDY (additional to the 120 ECTS)

PSY 625 Graduate Research Study IV 7.5

PSY 626 Graduate Research Study V 7.5

PSY 627 Graduate Research Study VI 7.5

Supervised Clinical Practicum

During the supervised clinical practicum year, students will be placed in a public or private Psychological Centre, approved by the Department, where they can be supervised by a qualified and licensed psychologist. The clinical practicum comprises two phases. Phase one (approximately 200 hours) is a part-time placement and is completed during the fourth semester of studies concurrently with the Clinical Practicum. During this phase, students are expected to observe experienced and licensed psychologists performing their various professional activities and at the same time become familiar with the school system and the psychologicalmethods of assessment and intervention. Phase two (approximately 1300 hours) is a full-time clinical placement taking place during the third year of studies in parallel with the corresponding courses Clinical Practicum Seminars II (fall semester) and III (spring semester).During this phase, the student is expected to participate in case assessments and intervention programmes, as well as to engage in prevention programmes under the supervision of licensed psychologists. The supervision and development of clinical skills is an individualized process and
student clinicians will have weeklymeetings with their supervisor to discuss their skill development. Students will be evaluated by their supervisor, the Clinical Practicum coordinator and the Department of Psychology through Clinical PracticumSeminars
I, II and III.

Graduate Research Study /Master Thesis

The participation in a graduate research study is required for all students in the School Psychology programme. The goal of the research participation is to help students develop skills that will allow them not only to read research critically but also to design and produce clinical research. These skills are necessary for students who wish to continue their studies at a Doctoral level. Students are required to complete 7.5 ECTS of graduate research study under the supervision of a faculty member or other research-instructive staff. The research project which must be brief (e.g., an extended case study or a small empirical research article) but of high quality (be publishable) according to the judgment of a three-member examining committee of the Department. The 7.5 required ECTS are distributed over 3 semesters so that sufficient time is allowed for the development and execution of a research proposal.

Students have the possibility to select up to 30 ECTS, of which only 7.5 are compulsory, for the completion of the Master programme. The elaboration of a complete and extended Master thesis is optional for students on the professional track. A full Master thesis is carried out in two semesters, as follows: PSY 798 Master thesis I (15 ECTS) and PSY 799 Master Thesis II (30 ECTS). The course PSY 798 is prerequisite for the course PSY 799. Students on the professional track who choose to complete a Master thesis are credited with 45 ECTS (that is, they need more credits to graduate than those who do not complete a Master thesis). The completion of a Master thesis is recommended for students interested in continuing their studies at a Doctoral level. Students who choose to carry out a thesis will be exempt fromthe research study course sequence (a total of 7.5 ECTS).

The criteria for assessment of postgraduate candidates are the following: * Applicants must have a university degree, awarded by an accredited institution in the country where it operates, or a degree evaluated as equivalent to a university degree by the Cyprus Council for the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications (KYSATS). Individuals who will be awarded a University degree or Graduation certificate fulfilling the criteria of the application requirements by the end of the week that precedes the registration week will also be eligible to submit an application form. * A university degree in Psychology or Education. * Letters of recommendation. * Personal interview at the discretion of each department. * Written examination at the discretion of each department. * Candidates are requested to submit any certificates and/or other documentation that prove English language competency, and any other documentation they consider necessary to strengthen and further support their application for admission, such as articles, research reports, academic distinctions.