Type:
Master
Speciality:
031301.07.7 - Psychology
Specialisation:
031301.07.7 - Personality Psychology and Psychological Counselling
Qualification awarded:
Master’s degree in Psychology
Programme academic year:
2025/2026
Mode of study:
Full time
Language of study:
Հայերեն
1. Admission criteria/requirements
ADMISSION CRITERIA/REQUIREMENTS
The admission of the YSU Master's degree in the 2024/2025 academic year will be carried out following the requirements of the "YSU Master's degree admission procedure". Graduates of YSU Bachelor's degree in the same specialty (the last three academic years) can participate in the competition for tuition-free and paid education. Admission of applicants is carried out without an exam, taking into account their GPA. Admission to the second stage is carried out only for the paid education, which can be attended by graduates of other YSU specialties, as well as other accredited universities.
The admission of the YSU Master's degree in the 2024/2025 academic year will be carried out following the requirements of the "YSU Master's degree admission procedure". Graduates of YSU Bachelor's degree in the same specialty (the last three academic years) can participate in the competition for tuition-free and paid education. Admission of applicants is carried out without an exam, taking into account their GPA. Admission to the second stage is carried out only for the paid education, which can be attended by graduates of other YSU specialties, as well as other accredited universities.
2. Programme Objectives
AIM OF PROGRAM
·The program aims to train psychologist-consultants who can carry out research, psycho-consulting, and psycho-educational work in educational, health care, and social support institutions and develop their abilities to carry out individual and group psychotherapeutic activities.
·The program aims to train psychologist-consultants who can carry out research, psycho-consulting, and psycho-educational work in educational, health care, and social support institutions and develop their abilities to carry out individual and group psychotherapeutic activities.
3. Educational outcomes of the programme
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- To define the historical, cultural, and socio-cultural prerequisites, methodological foundations, and modern trends of the development of psychology of a person and psychological counseling.
- To present contemporary issues in the study of personality (personality traits and motivation, identity and social context, developmental crisis and sustainability, mental health, and psychological well-being).
- To present the phenomenological and social-constructivist foundations and directions of psycho-consultative/psychotherapeutic activities.
- To justify the relevance of the use of quantitative and qualitative methods to the research objectives.
- To define the principles, features, and types of individual and group psychological counseling work.
- To describe the characteristics of the psychological support service in the fields of education, health, and social support.
- To conduct studies related to the formation and manifestation of a person's identity, identify trends in the context of socio-cultural changes, and use qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the results.
- To carry out applied studies on a person's psychological well-being, vitality, endurance, and effectiveness of psycho-counseling work.
- To apply psychodiagnostic (self-assessment and projective) methods of studying a person in counseling activities.
- To perform individual and group counseling/psychotherapeutic work.
- To implement psychological counseling and psychoeducational work (psychoeducation) aimed at a person's vitality and psychological well-being in difficult life situations, as well as in the fields of education, health care, and social support.
- To use professional communication tools to arm the public with knowledgeable information on mental health and personal well-being issues.
- To use ICTs to carry out studies and research and to present their results.
- To develop one's ability to find creative and innovative solutions in professional activity.
- To work in a team, taking responsibility for the professional progress of team members.
- To expand professional activity in conditions of uncertainty and risk, best to combine different strategic approaches and cooperate with other professionals.
- To take responsibility for one's professional activities, observe the principles of professional ethics and public benevolence, respecting human dignity and fundamental rights, while being sensitive to cultural and cross-cultural differences.
4. Assessment methods
ASSESSMENT
Based on the workload of the courses provided by the curriculum of the educational program, the form of studies, teaching methods, and taking into account the importance of the course in the formation of professional knowledge and abilities of the student, the courses are divided into 4 groups according to the form of assessment:
·with final assessment,
·without final assessment,
·without evaluation of mid-term exams,
·check-up.
Course evaluation components are:
• mid-term written exams (implying summary analytical answers according to the questionnaire, or writing tasks (research, application of the psychodiagnostic methodology, etc.), and/or mid-term oral exams (implying extensive analytical answers according to the questionnaire, or preparation of essays, independently and in groups) performance of works and oral presentation), which can be considered the "Research Component".
• mid-term check-ups (implies completion of assignments and presentation of material by the student during seminars),
• independent work (implementation of written or oral analytical work on the assigned topic and public presentation)
• participation (implies physical presence, active participation in question-and-answer and discussions at lectures and seminars),
• the final oral exams (assumes clear, logical, justified, and complete answers to the questions on the exam ticket).
Based on the workload of the courses provided by the curriculum of the educational program, the form of studies, teaching methods, and taking into account the importance of the course in the formation of professional knowledge and abilities of the student, the courses are divided into 4 groups according to the form of assessment:
·with final assessment,
·without final assessment,
·without evaluation of mid-term exams,
·check-up.
Course evaluation components are:
• mid-term written exams (implying summary analytical answers according to the questionnaire, or writing tasks (research, application of the psychodiagnostic methodology, etc.), and/or mid-term oral exams (implying extensive analytical answers according to the questionnaire, or preparation of essays, independently and in groups) performance of works and oral presentation), which can be considered the "Research Component".
• mid-term check-ups (implies completion of assignments and presentation of material by the student during seminars),
• independent work (implementation of written or oral analytical work on the assigned topic and public presentation)
• participation (implies physical presence, active participation in question-and-answer and discussions at lectures and seminars),
• the final oral exams (assumes clear, logical, justified, and complete answers to the questions on the exam ticket).
5. Graduates future career opportunities
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of the program can continue their studies in the YSU Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology postgraduate studies.
Graduates of the program can work as psychologist-consultants in psychological centers, social care and protection day centers and social-psychological support services, mental health, and rehabilitation institutions, students’ mental health maintenance institutions, educational centers, business organizations, as well as carry out private psycho-consultative/psychotherapeutic activities.
Graduates of the program can continue their studies in the YSU Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology postgraduate studies.
Graduates of the program can work as psychologist-consultants in psychological centers, social care and protection day centers and social-psychological support services, mental health, and rehabilitation institutions, students’ mental health maintenance institutions, educational centers, business organizations, as well as carry out private psycho-consultative/psychotherapeutic activities.
6. Resources and forms to support learning
RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE FORMS TO SUPPORT LEARNING
Various resources are available to support learning, such as modern professional literature (Armenian, Russian, and English) acquired with the personal funds of the professors and within the framework of the department's grant programs, an electronic library, computer programs for quantitative and qualitative research, as well as audio-visual educational materials (professional issues explanatory films, lectures by famous scientists and master classes).
The research base for the implementation of the program is the laboratory called "Person and Social Environment". Students participate in laboratory activities, within the framework of which most students prepare their Master's theses. Students also participate in cross-cultural studies conducted by the laboratory within the framework of international cooperation, performing data collection and analysis of results.
The base for internships is the "Psychological Support Training Laboratory". Students go through a special program that allows them to carry out psychological counseling; and individual and/or group work with other students of YSU, who apply to the laboratory for psychological support. The program consists of the following sections: practical training, individual and group supervision, and individual and/or group counseling.
Various resources are available to support learning, such as modern professional literature (Armenian, Russian, and English) acquired with the personal funds of the professors and within the framework of the department's grant programs, an electronic library, computer programs for quantitative and qualitative research, as well as audio-visual educational materials (professional issues explanatory films, lectures by famous scientists and master classes).
The research base for the implementation of the program is the laboratory called "Person and Social Environment". Students participate in laboratory activities, within the framework of which most students prepare their Master's theses. Students also participate in cross-cultural studies conducted by the laboratory within the framework of international cooperation, performing data collection and analysis of results.
The base for internships is the "Psychological Support Training Laboratory". Students go through a special program that allows them to carry out psychological counseling; and individual and/or group work with other students of YSU, who apply to the laboratory for psychological support. The program consists of the following sections: practical training, individual and group supervision, and individual and/or group counseling.
7. Educational standards or programme benchmarks used for programme development
EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS OR PROGRAM BENCHMARKS USED FOR PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
This educational program was developed following the descriptors of RA higher education standards. The basis for the development of the educational program was the international guidelines and standards, in particular, the "Counseling and Psychotherapy, Subject Benchmark Statement, UK's Quality Assurance Agency" of the United Kingdom Quality Assurance Agency and the program guidelines of the WHO Counseling Psychology Society. The program takes into account leading universities and accredited educational programs. Canada: The University of British Columbia (MA in Counseling Psychology), USA: University of Minnesota (MA in Counseling Psychology), Russia: HSE (Master's program: Psychological counseling), Saint-Petersburg State University (Master's programs: Psychology of a person and MSPU (Master's program: Psychological Counseling).
This educational program was developed following the descriptors of RA higher education standards. The basis for the development of the educational program was the international guidelines and standards, in particular, the "Counseling and Psychotherapy, Subject Benchmark Statement, UK's Quality Assurance Agency" of the United Kingdom Quality Assurance Agency and the program guidelines of the WHO Counseling Psychology Society. The program takes into account leading universities and accredited educational programs. Canada: The University of British Columbia (MA in Counseling Psychology), USA: University of Minnesota (MA in Counseling Psychology), Russia: HSE (Master's program: Psychological counseling), Saint-Petersburg State University (Master's programs: Psychology of a person and MSPU (Master's program: Psychological Counseling).
8. Requirements for the academic staff
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ACADEMIC STAFF
1. General abilities
Teaching and psycho-pedagogical
· Knowledge and ability to apply student-centered methodology in course development and implementation.
· Ability to use interactive and innovative teaching and learning methods and standardized assessment.
· Ability to support, motivate, and emphasize the personal strengths of the student.
Research
· knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods,
· ability to develop, implement, and manage research,
· ability to work with various scientific sources, as well as to use Internet information resources,
Communication
· the ability to communicate orally with the audience,
· interpersonal communication skills,
· knowledge of a foreign language (B1 level knowledge is desirable).
ICT application
· basic computer skills (fluency in MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
· the ability to use modern social platforms,
· skills to prepare and present presentations (pptx, prezi, canva, etc.).
Other abilities
· time management ability,
. conflict resolution and cooperation skills.
2. Professional knowledge and abilities
· Ability to understand, analyze, and interpret issues of sustainable development of a person in the context of modern trends in the development of society,
. Knowledge of current issues and trends in personality psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, and psychological counseling.
· Ability to study methodological and applied problems related to personality psychology, developmental psychology, and psychological counseling with quantitative and/or qualitative methodology,
· ability to perform various forms of psychological support: psychodiagnostic, counseling, enlightenment, and psychological development,
· Knowledge and ability of the principles of psychological service organization in the fields of education, and healthcare.
3. General requirements
Professional requirements
· a scientific degree and/or a Master's degree in psychology or a related field from a foreign university, or at least 5 years of psychological counseling/psychotherapeutic experience in education or healthcare and/or in private practice;
· availability of at least 1 scientific and/or methodological publication in the last 5 years,
· at least 2 participations in international conferences and/or workshops in the last 5 years,
· participation in local or international training and/or professional qualification improvement courses during the last 5 years.
Pedagogical experience
· at least 3 years of experience in teaching professional courses and/or conducting trainings.
Other requirements
. the average grades obtained by the results of the student survey: at least 4.0 (for teaching professors).
1. General abilities
Teaching and psycho-pedagogical
· Knowledge and ability to apply student-centered methodology in course development and implementation.
· Ability to use interactive and innovative teaching and learning methods and standardized assessment.
· Ability to support, motivate, and emphasize the personal strengths of the student.
Research
· knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods,
· ability to develop, implement, and manage research,
· ability to work with various scientific sources, as well as to use Internet information resources,
Communication
· the ability to communicate orally with the audience,
· interpersonal communication skills,
· knowledge of a foreign language (B1 level knowledge is desirable).
ICT application
· basic computer skills (fluency in MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
· the ability to use modern social platforms,
· skills to prepare and present presentations (pptx, prezi, canva, etc.).
Other abilities
· time management ability,
. conflict resolution and cooperation skills.
2. Professional knowledge and abilities
· Ability to understand, analyze, and interpret issues of sustainable development of a person in the context of modern trends in the development of society,
. Knowledge of current issues and trends in personality psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, and psychological counseling.
· Ability to study methodological and applied problems related to personality psychology, developmental psychology, and psychological counseling with quantitative and/or qualitative methodology,
· ability to perform various forms of psychological support: psychodiagnostic, counseling, enlightenment, and psychological development,
· Knowledge and ability of the principles of psychological service organization in the fields of education, and healthcare.
3. General requirements
Professional requirements
· a scientific degree and/or a Master's degree in psychology or a related field from a foreign university, or at least 5 years of psychological counseling/psychotherapeutic experience in education or healthcare and/or in private practice;
· availability of at least 1 scientific and/or methodological publication in the last 5 years,
· at least 2 participations in international conferences and/or workshops in the last 5 years,
· participation in local or international training and/or professional qualification improvement courses during the last 5 years.
Pedagogical experience
· at least 3 years of experience in teaching professional courses and/or conducting trainings.
Other requirements
. the average grades obtained by the results of the student survey: at least 4.0 (for teaching professors).
9. Additional information about the programme
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM
During 2014-2016, within the framework of the PICASA_TEMPUS program, the educational outcomes and teaching/learning methods of the "Psychology of a Person and Psychological Counseling" program were revised according to the principles and standards of internationalization, in particular, through cooperation with Roehampton University in Great Britain.
During 2014-2016, within the framework of the PICASA_TEMPUS program, the educational outcomes and teaching/learning methods of the "Psychology of a Person and Psychological Counseling" program were revised according to the principles and standards of internationalization, in particular, through cooperation with Roehampton University in Great Britain.
