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Study plan for PRPSYK Professional studies in psychology, fall 2024

Name of qualification

Canditata / Candidatus psychologiae

ECTS Credits

360 ECTS 6 years

Full-time/Part-time

Full time

Language of Instruction

Norwegian

Semester

Autumn

Objectives and content

The Professional Studies Programme in Psychology takes between 6 to 6 ½ years to complete. The curriculum integrates upper-level academic and practical experience, and it provides the qualifications for applying for a psychologist licence after successfully passing courses worth a total of 360 credits.
The graduate programme is based on the "scientist-practitioner" model (Boulder Model) and the Standards for Norwegian Psychology Examination Rev. 07/09/2001. It is a full-time study programme.

The study programme is designed to produce psychologists with broad competence in general practice who are capable of taking responsibility for mental health from a holistic perspective. At the same time, graduates receive the basis for lifelong learning, specialization and research education.

The study programme aims to ensure that society is provided with graduates who possess the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for the sound practice of the psychology profession. This means that the curriculum should, to the greatest extent possible, be research-based, professionally updated and adapted to the needs of the population for different types of psychological services.

The study programme consists of a six-year integrated curriculum based on various topic areas within psychology and neighbouring fields. The study programme coordinates and elaborates on the following topics relevant to the practice of psychology.

Practical/clinical topics in the practice of psychology

  • Professional and ethical attitudes in the practice of psychology
  • Mapping and diagnostics
  • Intervention and prevention
  • Development work: Improvement of psychological services
  • Communication
  • Organization and system awareness

Academic-based and research-based topics

  • Fundamental areas and theoretical approaches in psychology
  • Fields of application in psychology
  • Theory of science and overall methodological questions
  • Methods of data collection and data processing
  • Scientific communication

Required Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme, graduates are to have acquired the following learning outcomes as defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The graduate can:

  • Explain, discuss the theoretical and scientific basis of psychology
  • Explain and discuss knowledge regarding the relationship between science and evidence-based practice and the importance of this context in professional practice
  • Analyse current research and development work and its relevance in professional practice.
  • Explain and discuss psychological methods for evaluation and providing action programmes for individuals, groups and organizations
  • Explain and discuss theories on how biological, individual psychological, relational, social and cultural conditions constitute and affect groups and individuals (children, women, men)
  • Explain relevant laws, rules and guidelines

Skills

The graduate can:

  • Show a wide range of skills within psychological evaluation and therapy
  • Schedule and develop therapy and action programmes with a scientific basis
  • Deliver sound psychological therapy
  • Explain in writing and orally to the parties involved about the examination, action programme and results, as well as substantiate them with relevant research, laws and regulations
  • Make plans for, direct and carry out prevention work, as well as development and change management plans in relation to individuals, groups, organizations and environments
  • Find, critically assess and use relevant information, as well as discuss new findings, events and issues related to different user groups, thereby contributing to fresh thinking and innovation in the profession and one's own professional practice
  • Stay informed in relation to updated international academic and research literature and evaluate the use of this in one's own practice
  • Work with a focus on finding solutions in collaboration with other professions
  • Critically and systematically evaluate one's own practice

General competence

The graduate can:

  • Exercise ethical awareness and academic integrity in the use and imparting of both one's own and others' academic and research contributions
  • Reflect on the field of psychology's position and influence in society
  • Evaluate, based on a scientifically-based overall view of humanity, behaviour, patterns of action and ways of conduct in the light of ethical principles, human rights and the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of clients
  • Identify and address ethical aspects of one's own research and development projects
  • Act professionally with clients and their next of kin
  • Reflect on the responsibility of the psychology profession to accommodate marginalized groups
  • Show the will and ability for the continuous development of self-esteem and empathy
  • Identify the need to extend one's knowledge and continuously develop one's skills
  • Reflect on the role and expertise of the psychology profession in interprofessional collaboration

Admission Requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification or the equivalent. It is also possible to apply for admission based on prior learning and work experience.

Compulsory units

1st semester

PROPSY100 (10 ECTS) History of Psychology

PSYK112 (10 ECTS) Social and Personality Psychology

PSYK113 (5 ECTS) Introduction to Methodology

PROPSY301A (10 ECTS) Preparing for professional work in psychology 1

2nd semester

PSYK114 (15 ECTS) Developmental, Cognitive and Biopsychology

PROPSY301B (5 ECTS) Profession Preparation 2 - Health, Society and Psychology

EXPHILEKS (10 ECTS) Examen philosophicum - university exam

or

EXPHILSEM (10 ECTS) Examen philosophicum - seminar model

3rd semester

PROPSY301C (5 ECTS) Profession Preparation 3 - Communication and Professional Practice

PROPSY302 (15 ECTS) Developmental Psychology

PROCEDURE (5 ECTS) Methodology II - Quantitative and Qualitative Methodology as the Basis for Psychological Knowledge

4th semester

PROPSY303 (15 ECTS) Biopsychology

PROPSY304 (15 ECTS) Cognitive Neuroscience

After the 4th semester, the year is divided into two, one A-class and a B-class. The A-class goes on straight to the 5th semester in the autumn, while the B-class has an elective semester before continuing on to the 5th semester the following spring. You can read more about splitting the year into classes here: https://www.uib.no/psyfa/114959/deling-av-kullet-etter-2-studieår

5th semester

PROPSY305 (15 ECTS) Cognitive Psychology

PROPSY306 (15 ECTS) Clinical Neuropsychology

6th semester

PROPSY307 (15 ECTS) School and Educational Psychology

PROPSY308 (15 ECTS) Personality Psychology

7th semester

PROPSY309 (15 ECTS) Social Psychology

PROPSY310 (15 ECTS) Culture, Health and Development

8th semester

PROPSY311A (6 ECTS) Cognitive Mapping

PROPSY311B (14 ECTS) Psychotherapy

PROPSY311C (4 ECTS) Psychologist as Director

PROPSY314 (18 ECTS) Internal Clinical Psychology Training (Goes from 8th to 10th semester)

9th semester

PROPSY312A (14 ECTS) Psychotherapy II

PROPSY312B (5 ECTS) Psychotherapy III

PROPSY312C (5 ECTS ) Science-based Perspectives and Ethics in Clinical Practice

PROPSY314 (18 ECTS) Internal Clinical Psychology Training (Goes from 8th to 10th semester)

10th semester

PROPSY313 (9 credits) Psychotherapy with Complex Mental Disorders

PROPSY315 (15 credits) Social Psychology

PROPSY314 (18 ECTS) Internal Clinical Psychology Training (Goes from 8th to 10th semester)

11th semester

PROPSY316 (30 credits) External specialization practical experience

12th semester

PROPSY317 (30 credits) Dissertation for the psychology programme

Sequential Requirements, courses

1st semester

PROPSY100 (10 ECTS) History of Psychology

PSYK112 (10 ECTS) Social and Personality Psychology

PSYK113 (5 ECTS) Introduction to Methodology

PROPSY301A (10 ECTS) Preparing for professional work in psychology 1

2nd semester

PSYK114 (15 ECTS) Developmental, Cognitive and Biopsychology

PROPSY301B (5 ECTS) Profession Preparation 2 - Health, Society and Psychology

EXPHILEKS (10 ECTS) Examen philosophicum - university exam

or

EXPHILSEM (10 ECTS) Examen philosophicum - seminar model

3rd semester

PROPSY301C (5 ECTS) Profession Preparation 3 - Communication and Professional Practice

PROPSY302 (15 ECTS) Developmental Psychology

PROCEDURE (5 ECTS) Methodology II - Quantitative and Qualitative Methodology as the Basis for Psychological Knowledge

4th semester

PROPSY303 (15 ECTS) Biopsychology

PROPSY304 (15 ECTS) Cognitive Neuroscience

After the 4th semester, the year is divided into two, one A-class and a B-class. The A-class goes on straight to the 5th semester in the autumn, while the B-class has an elective semester before continuing on to the 5th semester the following spring. You can read more about splitting the year into classes here: https://www.uib.no/psyfa/114959/deling-av-kullet-etter-2-studieår

5th semester

PROPSY305 (15 ECTS) Cognitive Psychology

PROPSY306 (15 ECTS) Clinical Neuropsychology

6th semester

PROPSY307 (15 ECTS) School and Educational Psychology

PROPSY308 (15 ECTS) Personality Psychology

7th semester

PROPSY309 (15 ECTS) Social Psychology

PROPSY310 (15 ECTS) Culture, Health and Development

8th semester

PROPSY311A (6 ECTS) Cognitive Mapping

PROPSY311B (14 ECTS) Psychotherapy

PROPSY311C (4 ECTS) Psychologist as Director

PROPSY314 (18 ECTS) Internal Clinical Psychology Training (Goes from 8th to 10th semester)

9th semester

PROPSY312A (14 ECTS) Psychotherapy II

PROPSY312B (5 ECTS) Psychotherapy III

PROPSY312C (5 ECTS ) Science-based Perspectives and Ethics in Clinical Practice

PROPSY314 (18 ECTS) Internal Clinical Psychology Training (Goes from 8th to 10th semester)

10th semester

PROPSY313 (9 credits) Psychotherapy with Complex Mental Disorders

PROPSY315 (15 credits) Social Psychology

PROPSY314 (18 ECTS) Internal Clinical Psychology Training (Goes from 8th to 10th semester)

11th semester

PROPSY316 (30 credits) External specialization practical experience

12th semester

PROPSY317 (30 credits) Dissertation for the psychology programme

Stipulations regarding progress

The study programme has an integrated curriculum with a mandatory sequence of courses. Participation in a course is on the condition that the student has completed courses/passed exams in the previous semesters. The faculty may grant an exemption, based on an application where reasons for this are given by the student. A condition for such an exemption will usually be that the courses/exams a student lacks will be completed in the next semester. A completed basic course is a prerequisite for an advanced course in a subject area.

The study programme includes specific courses, exercises and practical experience as stated in the study plan. Students are to follow the progression of the study plan for their year and take the courses in the order specified in the study plan.

In accordance with the university and college regulation on matriculation in higher education (in effect from 1 August 2006), continuous matriculation assessment of all students is to take place throughout the course. This is to include a comprehensive assessment of the student's academic and personal fitness to be able to function as health or social care professional.

Study period abroad

Today, there are many options for those who wish to spend a semester or two of their education in another country. The University of Bergen has many exchange agreements, both inside and outside of Europe. In addition, the Professional Studies Programme in Psychology has special collaborating universities to find available courses that best suit our students. That way, you will be offered a customized placement abroad that is integrated into your education. You can study at universities in Italy, France, Spain and Sweden. Professional studies students can complete one or two semesters at a university abroad.

Teaching and learning methods

The curriculum can include: lectures, problem-based learning, seminars, written and oral presentations, teaching the use of tools, including ICT with special programs, small group work, guided internal practical experience and at external institutions, etc.

Assessment methods

School exam, home exam, practical training, thesis, report, attendance

Grading scale

The grading scale A - F or passed/not passed is used for examination results of courses included in the programme.

Employability

The study programme provides the qualifications for applying for a psychologist licence after successfully passing the curriculum. The licence is granted by the Norwegian Directorate of Health.

Common areas of work include health care, research and education, school systems, organizations, the social care sector and private businesses.

Evaluation

The Professional Studies Programme in Psychology is continuously evaluated by the curriculum reviewer, in accordance with the guidelines for quality assurance at UiB. Evaluation of individual courses is mentioned in the course descriptions.

Administrative responsibility

The Faculty of Psychology has the administrative responsibility for the Professional Studies Programme in Psychology.

Contact information

Student Information Center, Faculty of Psychology