University of Cyprus aims to establish itself as a Pioneer Research Institution achieving International Scientific Recognition in European Higher Education, offering Competitive Programmes and to become a Centre of Excellence in the wider Euro - Mediterranean Region.
The MA in School Psychology is a 3-year program comprising of 180 credits (ECTS) that includes supervised clinical training (60 credits or 1500 hours). The program was created based on the current professional demands and trends in the education, clinical training of professional psychologists and school psychologists. Furthermore, the program ensures that the graduates are eligible to become licensed in Cyprus in accordance with the Cyprus Law for Professional Psychologists and in Europe according to the published European Directive. The program also gives the option for continuing graduate studies on a Doctorate level.The program is primarily based on the professional psychologists model of education. Consequently, it emphasizes the development of professional skills for the practice of psychology while offering a wider theoretical and research background to the graduate student. During the first year of studies, the program aims to provide the student with the necessary theoretical and methodological background of psychological knowledge. In the second year, the program consists of specialized coursework that will help the student develop important clinical and professional skills in the area of psychological assessment and intervention. The third and last year of the program allows the student to integrate theory and practice and it centers on clinical training via clinical internship practica, combined with professional seminars and graduate research. Furthermore, students who wish to gain research knowledge and skills beyond what the program requires have the opportunity to take additional independent research with extra ECTS and complete a Masters thesis. This is recommended for students who are considering pursuing a doctoral degree in the future.According to the Cyprus Law, a school psychologist must fulfill the required qualifications (academic and clinical) in order to be included in the official registry of the Cyprus Professional Psychologists. The applied program of School Psychology requires specialized skills and knowledge that enable the assessment and prevention of, and intervention in, psychological and learning problems. Furthermore, in the context of an applied program it is expected that the graduate student will acquire the methodological knowledge and research skills required to evaluate intervention and prevention programs. Finally, an essential part of the education of a school psychologist is the gradual development of professional skills through the supervised clinical practicum and thus the graduate student is required to complete at least 1500 hours of supervised clinical practicum in appropriate professional settings before graduating. For all the reasons mentioned above, the School Psychology program has a minimum duration of 3 years of full-time attendance.