Master of Science in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
Utrecht University
Key Information
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,209 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* EU/EEA, Surinam or Swiss students; €17,500: International students
Introduction
Applying Scientific Knowledge in Clinical Practice
Which factors contribute to the development of children and adolescents? How and why do emotional, behavioral, or social problems emerge? How can such problems be prevented or treated effectively? The master's program Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology focuses on both the acquisition of scientific knowledge and its application in professional practice.
The internship in the broad field of clinical child and adolescent psychology is therefore an important part of our program. In the courses, you will gain specialized, state of the art scientific knowledge and learn about its applications:
- You will learn about assessment for intervention and evidence-based interventions to support children, parents, and/or teachers.
- You will also be introduced to cognitive behavioral therapy and you will learn how to design a treatment plan using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.
- You will learn to apply critical scientific thinking to take a position on relevant issues in the field of clinical child and adolescent psychology.
Electives
In this one-year Master's program, you can choose your own specialization. You can apply for an internship in the field of your choice, you can choose a thesis topic that fascinates you, or you can take an elective course that will allow you to specialize in a field of your preference. For example, you could do an elective course on juvenile forensic psychopathology, interventions in diverse contexts (such as school), or developmental neuropsychology. You have 5 ECs available to spend on an elective course that you find interesting, within or outside the faculty.
International perspective
An added value of this program is that it is international, and accessible to students from all over the world. This provides a stimulating mix of students, but above all it allows you to learn about similarities and differences in how children and adolescents grow up, and how mental health care is organized in different countries. As such this Master’s program will not only allow you to deepen your knowledge of youth mental health care, such as in your internship, it will also allow you to broaden your horizon by learning in an international context.
Driven by clinical experience and research
Lecturers who teach in this master's program work (partially) in clinical practice and/or conduct scientific research on children and adolescents at Utrecht University. Healthcare psychologists, school psychologists, and cognitive-behavioral therapists are involved in the master's program.
Program Outcome
This Master’s program will enable you to develop into a scientist-practitioner who is able to make a difference in the field of child and adolescent psychology. You will learn to integrate knowledge and skills gained in theoretical courses with practical experience obtained during your internship. You will learn how to apply critical scientific thinking to take a position in current developments in the field of clinical child and adolescent psychology.
Prepares for postgraduate training
This program optimally prepares you for post-master education in the Netherlands. You have the option to obtain your basic psychodiagnostic certificate and you can register as a master's psychologist at the SKJ (Stichting KwaliteitsregisterJeugd) after completing the Master's.
In many cases, you also meet the entry requirements for the post-master's programs to become a mental health psychologist and school psychologist (this also depends on the subjects you took during your bachelor's). For international students, formal accreditation needs to take place at an individual level by the national union of psychologists.
Career Opportunities
Towards the Job Market
Once you have completed the Master’s program, you will be able to work in the professional field at an academic level. This may include supervising and treating children and young people but may also include developing policy. Alternatively, you could choose to continue your studies and earn a registration.
Potential careers include:
- Clinical child- and adolescent psychologist
- Policy consultant
Potential employers include:
- Municipal mental health or youth care institutions
- An educational institution or school supervision service
- Municipal or provincial organizations
What does the work entail?
You may find work in the fields of diagnostics or mental health care, but you may also find a position as a consultant or policy assistant. Supporting quality of life and encouraging healthy mental development are increasingly important areas of activity as well. You have an excellent starting position in a junior-level job in the field of clinical child and adolescent psychology. Dutch students will be able to register as “master psycholoog” in the register for youth (SKJ), see below for details. Similar trajectories are possible in other countries, the specific registration and specialization requirements vary from country to country.
The program prepares you for work in the broad field of child and adolescent psychology. You will be qualified to work as a basic psychologist. You can work at various types of institutions, such as:
- Mental health care institutions
- Municipal mental health institutions
- Schools/educational institutions
- Hospitals/departments of psychiatry or medical psychology
- Juvenile forensic institutions
- Policy/research institutions