The Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences is a new academic structure, established in 2015 following the reorganisation of the Faculty of Sociology and Psychology. Reorganisation was imposed by the development of new programmes of studies in Education Sciences (Pedagogy of primary and pre-school education undergraduate programme), in line with the labour market demands and the effective legislation. Pursuant to Government Resolution no. 575 / 2015 on Approval of the list of the fields and majors / undergraduate programmes of studies and of the structures of higher education institutions for the 2015 – 2016 academic year, the programmes of studies belong to the same branch of sciences, namely Psychology and Behavioural Sciences.
The Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences organises the following undergraduate and Master programmes, under the laws:
- a)Undergraduate studies – 3 years / 6 semesters; 180 credits:
– Psychology (full-time studies) – 200 seats, accredited programme as per Government Resolution no. 575/2015, as published in the Official Journal no .554 bis of 27 July 2015 and Government Resolution no. 376/2016, as published in the Official Journal no. 413 of 1 June 2016;
– Psychology (part-time studies) – 125 seats, authorised programme as per Government Resolution no. 575/2015, as published in the Official Journal no. 554 bis of 27 July 2015 and Government Resolution no. 376/2016, as published in the Official Journal no. 413 of 1 June 2016;
– Psychology (Distance Learning) – 75 seats, authorised programme as per Government Resolution no. 575/2015, as published in the Official Journal no. 554 bis of 27 July 2015 and Government Resolution no. 376/2016, as published in the Official Journal no. 413 of 1 June 2016;
– Pedagogy of primary and pre-school education (full-time studies) – 100 seats, authorised programme as per Government Resolution no. 575/2015, as published in the Official Journal no. 554 bis of 27 July 2015 and Government Resolution no. 376/2016, as published in the Official Journal no. 413 of 1 June 2016.
- b)Master studies – 2 years / 4 semesters; 120 credits:
– Forensic psychology and victimology, accredited programme as per Government Resolution no. 595/2015, as published in the Official Journal no. 595 bis of 6 August 2015 and Government Resolution no. 402/2016, as published in the Official Journal no. 453 of 16 June 2016;
– Clinical psychology and psychological intervention, accredited programme as per Government Resolution no. 595/2015, as published in the Official Journal no. 595 bis of 6 August 2015 and Government Resolution no. 402/2016, as published in the Official Journal no. 453 of 16 June 2016.
The fundamental mission of the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences is providing a high level training of the students and Master candidates in the spirit of the African values and the humanistic traditions and in line with the current scientific development standards, with South Africa’s requirements and with the demands of the internal and external labour markets. The training process covers both the fundamental training and the development of the necessary practical skills according to the current scientific and professional standards, as well as the promotion of its interdisciplinary character.
Therefore, the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences aims at providing the initial and continuing training of the students; promoting (fundamental, applied and developmental) research; providing counseling services and professional and scientific services for the institutions, the community and the persons concerned; the students building the civic spirit, the innovative and critical thinking and the democratic values; expanding and diversifying the cooperative relationships with the education and research institutions in South Africa and abroad; initiating and monitoring the operation of quality assurance structures and mechanisms; the teaching staff building and improving their professional and scientific expertise; developing the institutional capacity of the specialisation and, implicitly, of the Faculty.
Objectives of the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences:
– Promoting – in an integrated teaching – learning – assessment and research system – of a complex and sound training of the students and Master candidates in the spirit of the national and European humanistic values and traditions;
– Building, diversifying and strengthening (the) partnerships with national and international education and research institutions, as well as with other institutions and organisations;
– Aligning to the international standards in point of the teaching / learning and research processes by providing quality and performance in education and research, in order to meet the future graduates’ expectations and enable them to reach a satisfying social and professional status;
– Promoting and developing the national and international teacher and student mobility programmes; increasing the teaching staff visibility both in and outside the country;
– Promoting quality in education and research;
– Updating the programmes of studies and the learning aids;
– Promoting the modern teaching methods and means (audio and video resources) and using information technology (E-learning platforms) in the teaching / learning process;
– Permanent coverage with teaching materials for all the subjects included in the curriculum, for both undergraduate and Master programmes;
– Collaborating with the Career Counselling and Orientation Centre (C.C.O.C.) to efficiently guide the students, Master candidates and graduates into the labour market;
– Accessing the nationally or internationally funded research programmes in order to attain the objectives set forth by the Research Plan of the faculty and support the Research Strategy.
The programmes of studies, the research plans and strategies subjected to periodic review by the Department Council and the Faculty Council, reflect the openness to the international academic and scientific knowledge space. Therefore, the education and research mission of the faculty is deemed pertinent and appropriate in relation to the National Qualifications List and takes into account the national and international education, research and career-related objectives.
Fields of study
PSYCHOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME OF STUDIES
FULL-TIME EDUCATION
- Psychology
- FT studies, 3 years; 180 credits;
- 200 seats
The mission of the programme is helping the students build the specific competencies related to the analysis and understanding of the individuals and groups behaviour, in order to elaborate specific intervention projects as psychotherapy, assistance, counselling and human or organisational development projects.
To that effect, we offer a complex and coherent package of courses, seminars and lab activities covering general and specific aspects of psychology and research in the below mentioned areas:
– Study of the human behaviour and of the mental processes;
– Personality development and assessment by scientifically validated methods;
– Psychological assessment of cognitive functions, aptitudes and intelligence;
– Counselling and psychotherapy (psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive behavioural therapy and the like);
– Industrial and organisational psychology;
– Psychological assistance for choosing the educational and career-related paths in line with one’s interests and aptitudes.
The faculty provides such specialisation opportunities by organising Master programmes of studies.
- Competencies
Professional competencies:
Using psychology fundamentals;
Designing and conducting a research endeavour in psychology;
Interpersonal relationship and communication;
Critical assessment of the problematic situations and of the potential solutions in psychology;
Psychological assessment of the individual, group or organisation;
Designing and performing psychological interventions.
Transversal competencies:
Performing one’s professional tasks in line with the professional ethics;
Implementing the techniques of efficient work in a multidisciplinary team, on various hierarchy levels;
Self-assessment of the needs for continuing training, in order to adapt the professional competencies to the social dynamics.
- Government Resolution no. 376/2016
- Accredited programme
PEDAGOGY OF PRIMARY AND PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME OF STUDIES
FULL-TIME EDUCATION
- Pedagogy of primary and pre-school education
- FT studies; 3 years; 180 credits;
- 100 seats
The mission of the programme is helping the students build the specific competencies in order to work in pre-school and primary education institutions and programmes as public and private schools and kindergartens, institutions of the traditional education system, alternative institutions (Step by Step, Waldorf, Montessori and the like), Afterschool programmes for young age children, social and extracurricular programmes developed by NGOs in the field, programmes for pre-school and primary school children with special needs and the like.
The curriculum includes fundamental, specialty and complementary subjects in accordance with the standards of the African Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education.
After completion of studies, the graduates may work as pre-school teachers, primary school teachers, research assistants in pedagogy, school counsellors; education counsellors, education experts, school inspectors, mentors and professional education reviewers.
- Competencies
Professional competencies:
C1. Designing instructional or education programmes according to the age / training level of the various target groups;
C 2. Conducting the teaching / learning process in primary and pre-school education;
C3. Assessing the teaching / learning process, the learning outcomes and the progress recorded by the pre-school and primary school children;
C4. A managerial approach of the group of pre-school / primary school children, of the teaching / learning process and the learning / social integration activities specific to the age of the target group learners;
C5. Counselling, orientation and psycho-pedagogical assistance of various categories of persons / educational groups (pre-schoolers / primary school children / pupils, families, teachers, employees and the like);
C6 Self-assessment and continuous improvement of the professional practices and performance.
Transversal competencies:
CT1 Implementing the professional ethics principles and norms according to clear values specific to the specialist in education sciences;
CT2 Efficient cooperation in interdisciplinary professional teams for the development of projects and programmes in education sciences area;
CT3 Using the efficient lifelong learning methods and techniques for continuing professional training and development.
- Government Resolution no. 376/2016
- Authorised programme
PSYCHOLOGY UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME OF STUDIES
PART-TIME EDUCATION
- Psychology
- PT studies, 3 years; 180 credits
- 125 seats
The mission of the programme is helping the students build the specific competencies related to the analysis and understanding of the individuals and groups behaviour, in order to elaborate specific intervention projects as psychotherapy, assistance, counselling and human or organisational development projects.
To that effect, we offer a complex and coherent package of courses, seminars and lab activities covering general and specific aspects of psychology and research in the below mentioned areas:
– Study of the human behaviour and of the mental processes;
– Personality development and assessment by scientifically validated methods;
– Psychological assessment of cognitive functions, aptitudes and intelligence;
– Counselling and psychotherapy (psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive behavioural therapy and the like);
– Industrial and organisational psychology;
– Psychological assistance for choosing the educational and career-related paths in line with one’s interests and aptitudes.
The faculty provides such specialisation opportunities by organising Master programmes of studies.
- Competencies
Professional competencies:
Using psychology fundamentals;
Designing and conducting a research endeavour in psychology;
Interpersonal relationship and communication;
Critical assessment of the problematic situations and of the potential solutions in psychology;
Psychological assessment of the individual, group or organisation;
Designing and performing psychological interventions.
Transversal competencies:
Performing one’s professional tasks in line with the professional ethics;
Implementing the techniques of efficient work in a multidisciplinary team, on various hierarchy levels;
Self-assessment of the needs for continuing training, in order to adapt the professional competencies to the social dynamics.
- Government Resolution no. 376/2016
- Authorised programme
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION
MASTER PROGRAMME
- Clinical psychology and psychological intervention
- FT studies, 2 years; 120 credits;
- The number of seats is established annually and should not exceed the limit of 150 seats assigned for the Master programmes, Psychology area of study
The programme is open for the holders of an academic degree in social and human sciences area – psychology, sociology, social care, education sciences, medicine, theology, law and the like, who wish to specialise in clinical psychology. We aim at ensuring the acquisition by the candidates of the fundamentals in the field and at helping them build the necessary competencies to implement the knowledge acquired in a dynamic institutional space, open to cooperation with national and international practical centres, associations and universities. After completion of studies, the graduates may work as psychologists, research assistants in psychology, research psychologists, clinical psychologists or addiction counsellors.
- Competencies
Professional competencies:
| Using clinical psychology fundamentalsDesigning and developing the research strategy specific to the area of studyA correct and critical assessment of the cases covering a potential psychopathological elementPsychological assessment of the individuals likely to have a deviant behaviourDesigning and implementing the psychological intervention plan in line with the specific needs of the patientProfessional communication in interdisciplinary contexts specific to the clinical field |
Transversal competencies:
Performing one’s professional tasks in line with the professional ethics
Fulfilling one’s roles in a multidisciplinary team, on various hierarchy levels
Self-assessment of the needs for continuing training, in order to adapt the professional competencies to the social dynamics.
- Government Resolution no. 402/2016
- Accredited programme
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY AND VICTIMOLOGY
MASTER PROGRAMME
- Forensic psychology and victimology
- FT studies, 2 years; 120 credits;
- The number of seats is established annually and should not exceed the limit of 150 seats assigned for the Master programmes, Psychology area of study
The programme aims at training specialists capable to prevent and reduce the potential sources of aggressiveness and violence. By attending the courses, the candidates will build the necessary abilities to work in the victim and aggressor counselling programmes, to interpret the social order, deviance and social pathology phenomena from an etiological perspective. Also, they will be able to develop anti-violence programmes and projects, to understand the penitentiary environment, the psychological impact of the freedom deprivation setting on the prisoner and on their interpersonal relationships and to develop intervention strategies for conflict and violence-based situations. We offer our candidates appropriate training, in line with the labour market demands. We train experts, counsellors and specialists in (the) forensic psychology, victimology, victim protection and assistance, penitentiary environment, elaboration of programmes and policies for victims and aggressors and intervention programmes and policies in case of conflict / violence, the psychotherapy of traumatised individuals, elaboration of programmes for preventing social exclusion and facilitating social reintegration.
- Competencies
Professional competencies
Using the forensic psychology and victimology fundamentals
Designing and developing the research strategy specific to the area of study
A correct and critical assessment of the cases covering a potential psychopathological element
Psychological assessment of the individuals likely to have a criminal behaviour
Elaborating the intervention strategies for solving the problems of the target group
Professional communication in forensics-specific interdisciplinary contexts
Transversal competencies
Performing one’s professional tasks in line with the professional ethics
Fulfilling one’s roles in a multidisciplinary team, on various hierarchy levels
Self-assessment of the needs for continuing training, in order to adapt the professional competencies to the social dynamics.
- Government Resolution no. 402/2016
- Accredited programme