Program Overview

Introduction to the Psychology Program

The Psychology program at the University of Amsterdam offers a comprehensive education in the field of psychology, with a focus on both theoretical and practical aspects. The program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the principles of psychology, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in the field.

Program Structure

The program is structured into several specializations, each with its own unique focus and curriculum. The specializations include:

• Clinical Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychological Methods
• Social Psychology
• Work & Organisational Psychology

Specialisation Clinical Developmental Psychology

The Clinical Developmental Psychology specialization focuses on the study of healthy and deviant behavior during childhood and adolescence. Students in this specialization will learn how to professionally differentiate between healthy and deviant behavior and how to facilitate healthy development.

Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of the Clinical Developmental Psychology specialization are:

1. To explain theories and key empirical findings concerning developmental psychology and developmental psychopathology.
2. To apply assessment, interventions, and determine the needs and requirements of care within child and youth psychology.
3. To evaluate the research methods and research designs used within child and youth psychology.
4. To relate scientific knowledge about clinical developmental psychology to practical issues in child and adolescent development.

Content and Programme

The program includes courses on healthy and deviant cognitive, social, and emotional development in childhood and adolescence. Students will also learn to diagnose psychological disorders via psychological assessment and clinical interviewing. The program also includes a Bachelor's thesis and restricted-choice electives.

Year 2

The courses in Year 2 include: | Sem. 1| Sem. 2| EC
---|---|---|---
Childhood: Clinical and School Psychology| | | 6
Childhood: Developmental Psychology| | | 6
Adolescence: Developmental, Clinical and School Psychology| | | 6
Youth Interventions: Theory, Research and Practice| | | 6
Clinical Skills: Developmental Psychology| | | 6

Year 3

The courses in Year 3 include: | Sem. 1| Sem. 2| EC
---|---|---|---
Evidence-based Clinical Practice: Research Methods| | | 6
Bachelor’s Thesis Clinical Developmental Psychology| | | 12
Restricted-choice electives: Current Topics| | | 12
Current Topics: Introduction to Sport and Performance Psychology | | | 6
Current Topics: Clinical Developmental and Health Psychology | | | 6
Current Topics: Consciousness: From Theory to the Clinic | | | 6
Current Topics: Polarisation| | | 6
Current Topics: Stress in Health and Disease | | | 6
Current Topics: A Clinical Perspective on Today's Issues | | | 6
Current Topics: Climate Psychology| | | 6
Current Topics: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace | | | 6
Current Topics: Introduction to Cultural Psychology| | | 6
Current Topics: Psychology and AI | | | 6

Follow-on Programmes

After completing the Bachelor's degree in Psychology, students can enter the labor market directly or pursue a Master's degree. The program offers direct access to several Master's tracks, including the Dutch Clinical Developmental Psychology master track and the Research master's in Psychology focusing on Clinical Developmental Psychology.