Second Cycle Degree Course  – 2 years – Class LM51

Degree Programme Director:
Prof. Giuseppe Curcio

Academic Didactic Council Director:
Prof. Michele Ferrara

Learning objectives

The Master’s Degree in Applied, Clinical and Health Psychology intends to provide students with an advanced knowledge of contents and methods of clinical psychology, physiological psychology and cognitive neurosciences. The Course is furthermore aimed at developing the specific professional competencies to autonomously operate in the clinical and neuropsychological field, in different contexts such as public and private healthcare companies, healthcare and aid organizations and institutions. Eventually, the necessary theoretical and methodological knowledge is given to plan and conduct research activities, also in cooperation with other specialists, within the University, healthcare institutions and scientific research institutes. These learning objectives will be realized through a high level of education in the following sectors of psychology: general psychology, psychobiology and physiological psychology, psychometrics, developmental psychology, clinical and dynamic psychology. The training path is especially aimed at the acquisition of particularly deep knowledge in the field of clinical and health psychology, psychology of deviance, sexology and cognitive neurosciences. This training is possible thanks to the organization of the master’s degree into specific training paths. In order to realize these objectives, the Master’s Degree Course proposes different training offers, some of them oriented towards the clinical sector, others towards the psycho-biological sector. To this end, more importance is given to the scientific-disciplinary sectors characterizing the course itself (M-PSI/01, M/PSI/02, M-PSI/03, M-PSI/04, M-PSI/07, M-PSI/08) and, within these sectors, different and specific teaching modules, along with various practical activities, are activated. The training offers also differ for the peculiarities related to the distinctive teaching modules. These training offers contribute to the training of skilled professional figures oriented respectively towards clinical and health psychology, psychology of deviance, sexology, experimental psychology and cognitive neurosciences. In the field of clinical and dynamic psychology, there will be an in-depth analysis of the major theoretical models of normal psychological functioning throughout life and the main forms of psychopathological distress, the processes on the basis of the intrapsychic dynamics of the single individual and the relational dynamics within groups, the methodologies of conversation and diagnostic assessment and the major therapeutic models. A further purpose is to support the knowledge of the typical research methods of clinical psychology, by stimulating the critical reading and the realization of scientific texts. In the field of psychology of deviance and sexology, there will be an in-depth analysis the biological and psychological aspects on the basis of deviant and criminal behaviors, with the aim of giving an adequate preparation to the growing demand for professionalism, in order to prevent and fight deviances and individual or collective criminality. Also the biological and psychological aspects on the basis of human sexual behavior are analyzed, along with the diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation aspects of sexual dysfunctions, with particular attention to sexual dysfunctions in couples, to deviances and paraphilias. In the field of cognitive neurosciences, there will be an in-depth analysis of the knowledge relevant to the major theoretical models of cognitive processes and their biological basis, as well as the methodological basis to study them. Students will master methods of study, fundamental contents and results of psychological and neuroscientific research, related to the area of psychic functioning, with a particular attention to the methodological aspects of both data acquisition and data analysis and interpretation. Among the training objectives of this Master’s Programme, there is the exercise and improvement of English language skills, acquired during the Bachelor’s degree, with special regard to the specific vocabulary of psychological sciences. This in-depth analysis can be realized by studying on English textbooks and through laboratory activities that provide for the critical reading and guided comprehension of scientific articles and textbooks written in English, dealing with high level topics.

Admission requirements and professional status

Close enrollment with admission test

The Master’s Degree in Applied, Clinical and Health Psychology leads to different professional opportunities: in public and private healthcare companies linked to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of psychological distress (National Healthcare Service, hospitals, clinics, territorial and counselling services, therapeutic communities, addiction treatment centers, halfway houses, children’s centers, Prevention Centers, Public Health services, third sector private agencies: cooperatives, voluntary associations); in healthcare and rehabilitation centers and organizations; in schools and educational facilities; in Universities and other research institutes. Master’s graduates can practice the profession of psychologist and related functions as freelancers and/or in the field of private practice (appraisals, counselling) and training.

Programme units

Enrollment modalities

Timetable of the didactic activities

Study plan

Didactic regulation

Teaching staff and programme unit contents