Personal Psychology and Psychological Counseling

Programme Objective

The Master’s programme in Personality Psychology and Psychological Counselling aims to prepare counselling psychologists capable of conducting research, psychological counselling, and psychoeducational activities in educational and healthcare institutions, as well as within the social support sector. The programme also develops students’ competencies in providing individual and group psychotherapeutic interventions.

Advantages

The programme is based on international programme benchmarks and standards, including the UK Quality Assurance Agency’s Subject Benchmark Statement for Counselling and Psychotherapy and the programme benchmarks of the American Psychological Association’s Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs, including the Counseling Psychology Core Competencies.

In developing the programme, accredited programmes offered by leading higher education institutions were also taken into consideration, including The University of British Columbia (MA in Counseling Psychology), University of Minnesota (MA in Counseling Psychology), HSE University (Master’s programme in Counselling Psychology), Saint Petersburg State University (Master’s programme in Personality Psychology), and Moscow Pedagogical State University (Master’s programme in Psychological Counselling).

Between 2014 and 2016, within the framework of the PICASA-TEMPUS programme, the learning outcomes and teaching and learning methods of the Personality Psychology and Psychological Counselling programme were reviewed in accordance with internationalization principles and standards, particularly through cooperation with the University of Roehampton (United Kingdom).

As part of their Master’s thesis preparation, students have access to the facilities and research opportunities provided by the Person and Social Environment Research Laboratory. As part of their professional internship, students also have access to the facilities of the Psychological Support Teaching and Practice Laboratory. Students participate in a specialized programme that provides opportunities to conduct individual and/or group psychological counselling with other YSU students. The programme consists of practical training, individual and group supervision, and individual and/or group counselling.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may continue their academic studies in doctoral programmes at the Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology of Yerevan State University. Graduates of the Personality Psychology and Psychological Counselling programme may work as counselling psychologists in psychological centres, care and protection institutions, day centres, medical and rehabilitation facilities, and university student support services. They may also pursue careers as research psychologists in academic and educational institutions, work as individual consultants supporting employees within business organizations, or provide private counselling services.

Programme graduates have successfully pursued professional careers at organizations including the Kenats Tsar Psychological Centre, the YSU Centre for Applied Psychology, the Ughekits Psychological Centre, the Armenian Red Cross Society, the Centre for Psychosocial Regulation, and the Anania Shirakatsi Educational Complex.