Program Overview

Program Overview

The specialisation Clinical Psychology has a clear scientist-practioner focus, aiming to prepare students for a master that leads to a career in psychological science and/or in mental health care.

Educational Objectives

At the end of the specialisation Clinical Psychology, students can:

• Recognize a disorder given a case description and recite the main characteristics of important adult mental disorders
• Critically review and apply common theories and major research findings to understand mechanisms that cause and maintain mental disorders
• Reflect on the theoretical underpinnings of major forms of psychotherapy, the basic techniques associated with these psychotherapies, and their evidence base
• Evaluate the utility of different methods to answer clinical (research) questions and improve clinical practice
• Perform the first four steps of the diagnostic cycle, divided over several simple cases and with help of specific instruction, ending with an interpretation of the results
• Use basic conversational techniques as (an element of) a therapeutic intervention
• Reflect on the process of psychological assessment or treatment, including the working relationship, in simulated client contact and can adjust their formulation and behavior

Content and Programme

The specialisation in the second semester consists of an extensive programme in which courses are offered that form a base for knowledge about clinical psychology. The programme includes:

• Clinical Interviewing and Diagnostic Skills
• Mood, Anxiety & Psychotic Disorders
• Addiction and Compulsive Disorders
• Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Skills
• Personality and Personality Disorders

First- or Second Specialisation

If Clinical Psychology is chosen as the first specialisation within the bachelor of Psychology, students will continue the programme with two courses: a methods and statistics (M&S) course and their bachelor's thesis. The M&S course, Evidence-based Clinical Practice: Research Methods/CP, will teach students about the specific research methods and statistical analyses often used in Clinical Psychology to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments. This course builds on Scientific and Statistical Reasoning and will further prepare students for the Bachelor’s Thesis Clinical Psychology: an empirical research project on a clinical psychology subject.

If Clinical Psychology is the second specialisation, students need to take the M&S course and their bachelor's thesis at their first specialisation.

Electives

The programme allows students to choose electives in the form of current topics, so that they can satisfy their interest in other (related) fields or deepen their knowledge within clinical psychology. The programme group offers several courses, including:

• Current Topics: Stress in Health and Disease
• Current Topics: A Clinical Perspective on Today's Issues

Colloquium Points

Five colloquium points must be earned in the bachelor. A colloquium is a lecture or master's thesis presentation organised by the Psychology programme.

Specifics

Please note that the master’s track Clinical Psychology is offered in Dutch only. During the academic year, there will be several meetings in which students can obtain information about the master track Clinical Psychology, such as how to sign up for this and information about the practical internship.

Year 2

| Sem. 1| Sem. 2| EC
---|---|---|---
Clinical Interviewing and Diagnostic Skills| | | 6
Mood, Anxiety & Psychotic Disorders| | | 6
Addiction and Compulsive Disorders| | | 6
Psychotherapy and Therapeutic Skills| | | 6
Personality and Personality Disorders| | | 6

Year 3

| Sem. 1| Sem. 2| EC
---|---|---|---
Evidence-based Clinical Practice: Research Methods/CP| | | 6
Bachelor’s Thesis Clinical 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