Type:
Master
Speciality:
031301.16.7 - Psychology
Specialisation:
031301.16.7 - Child Psychology and Psychotherapy
Qualification awarded:
Master’s degree
Programme academic year:
2025/2026
Mode of study:
Full time
Language of study:
Հայերեն
1. Admission criteria/requirements
Admission to the Master's program is carried out according to the relevant regulations of YSU. For those with a degree in the same specialty, admission is carried out without exams, and for applicants with related specialties, the relevant exam is intended.
2. Programme Objectives
·To prepare specialists dealing with methodological and applied problems in child psychology and psychotherapy, who can carry out psycho-consultative, psycho-diagnostic, and psycho-educational work with children with normative and special educational needs
3. Educational outcomes of the programme
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- •to present fundamental knowledge about the features, processes, and patterns of development at different stages of childhood
- •to define modern theories and methodological foundations of child psychology
- •to present the principles and methods of psychodiagnostic and psychotherapeutic work with children
- •to outline the principles and features of the implementation of counseling and psychotherapeutic work in the case of various psychological difficulties
- •to define the factors and work characteristics of developmental disorders
- •to design and implement research applications related to contemporary issues in child psychology
- •to distinguish the developmental characteristics of the child under socio-cultural factors and to analyze the role of the family in the process of the child's personality development
- •to apply psychodiagnostic and assessment methods in working with children and adolescents with both normal development and pathological problems
- •to apply psychotherapeutic methods in working with children with various developmental problems and the adults around them
- •to carry out counseling and enlightening work (psychoeducation) in case of various problems both with children and with adults working with them, showing a creative and responsible approach and following ethical principles
- •to cooperate with specialists in the given and related fields, to work in a professional environment, and to assume responsibility
- •to critically analyze and draw conclusions about theories, studies, and applied problems
- •to prepare reports, present research results, conduct scientific debates
- •to organize work and/or further educational activities following educational and professional needs and acquire practical knowledge, observing the norms of professional ethics
4. Assessment methods
Assessment includes:
·check-ups
·evaluation without mid-term exams (1 final exam),
·2 mid-term exams, and a final exam
The mid-term written exams involve analytical answers to the questions, and tasks, while the mid-term oral exams include preparation and oral presentation of essays, abstracts, individual/group work (research project, application of psychotherapeutic conversation, application of psychodiagnostic methodology, practical work, etc.)
Final oral exams are conducted according to question tickets and/or individual work presentations.
·check-ups
·evaluation without mid-term exams (1 final exam),
·2 mid-term exams, and a final exam
The mid-term written exams involve analytical answers to the questions, and tasks, while the mid-term oral exams include preparation and oral presentation of essays, abstracts, individual/group work (research project, application of psychotherapeutic conversation, application of psychodiagnostic methodology, practical work, etc.)
Final oral exams are conducted according to question tickets and/or individual work presentations.
5. Graduates future career opportunities
The program will enable graduates to work as
· psychologists of preschool institutions
. school psychologists
· parenting consultants
. child and adolescent psychologist-consultants
· Psychologist of the multidisciplinary team of inclusive education
· Psychologist-consultants of the healthcare sector
· Psychologists at child development centers.
Graduates can work at elementary and high schools, educational institutions with special programs, special schools for children with developmental disabilities, child care and protection centers, children's rehabilitation institutions, psychological service centers, and professional orientation centers. The knowledge and abilities provided by the program enable the graduates to carry out individual and/or group counseling, developmental, psychodiagnostic, and psychotherapeutic work in the above-mentioned institutions. Graduates can provide parenting and family counseling, as well as psychological assessment and rehabilitation work in various institutions.
The program also provides opportunities for graduates to conduct private counseling with children and adolescents. Graduates of the program can continue their studies in the postgraduate studies.
· psychologists of preschool institutions
. school psychologists
· parenting consultants
. child and adolescent psychologist-consultants
· Psychologist of the multidisciplinary team of inclusive education
· Psychologist-consultants of the healthcare sector
· Psychologists at child development centers.
Graduates can work at elementary and high schools, educational institutions with special programs, special schools for children with developmental disabilities, child care and protection centers, children's rehabilitation institutions, psychological service centers, and professional orientation centers. The knowledge and abilities provided by the program enable the graduates to carry out individual and/or group counseling, developmental, psychodiagnostic, and psychotherapeutic work in the above-mentioned institutions. Graduates can provide parenting and family counseling, as well as psychological assessment and rehabilitation work in various institutions.
The program also provides opportunities for graduates to conduct private counseling with children and adolescents. Graduates of the program can continue their studies in the postgraduate studies.
6. Resources and 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 Chair’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).
Innovative teaching and learning methods are used to achieve the learning outcomes of the program. Lectures are conducted interactively, student participation in discussions is encouraged and promoted, as well as meetings with invited professors and online lectures are organized. The analysis of scientific articles related to the topic, preparation of abstracts and essays, and development of research projects are used in theoretical modules. Interactive methods, in particular, situation modeling, case analysis, role-playing games, as well as an extracurricular activity involving individual work (conducting a psychotherapeutic conversation, psychodiagnostic methodology, analysis of results, self-reflection) are encouraged during practical modules. Within the framework of the program, active cooperation is carried out with a number of centers and educational institutions, such as YSU Applied Psychology Center, "Tree of Life" Psychological Services Center, Yerevan Medical-Psychological-Pedagogical Assessment Centers, Psychological Service Center of "Yerevan Anania Shirakatsi Seminary", "Lolo" Preschool Institution, "Arpi's place" child center, "Yerang Artstudio" child educational center, Yerevan "Zatik" child's assistance center, where students have the opportunity to train their skills and strengthen the knowledge they have acquired.
Innovative teaching and learning methods are used to achieve the learning outcomes of the program. Lectures are conducted interactively, student participation in discussions is encouraged and promoted, as well as meetings with invited professors and online lectures are organized. The analysis of scientific articles related to the topic, preparation of abstracts and essays, and development of research projects are used in theoretical modules. Interactive methods, in particular, situation modeling, case analysis, role-playing games, as well as an extracurricular activity involving individual work (conducting a psychotherapeutic conversation, psychodiagnostic methodology, analysis of results, self-reflection) are encouraged during practical modules. Within the framework of the program, active cooperation is carried out with a number of centers and educational institutions, such as YSU Applied Psychology Center, "Tree of Life" Psychological Services Center, Yerevan Medical-Psychological-Pedagogical Assessment Centers, Psychological Service Center of "Yerevan Anania Shirakatsi Seminary", "Lolo" Preschool Institution, "Arpi's place" child center, "Yerang Artstudio" child educational center, Yerevan "Zatik" child's assistance center, where students have the opportunity to train their skills and strengthen the knowledge they have acquired.
7. Educational standards or programme benchmarks used for programme development
The "Child Psychology and Psychotherapy" educational program is based on the general requirements regarding knowledge, skills, and abilities defined by the national framework of education qualifications for master's education. In particular, the programs of leading universities of post-Soviet and Western countries, that received the appropriate accreditation were taken into account, such as UCL (Child Development MSc) in Great Britain, University of Kansas (MA in Clinical Child Psychology Program), University of Washington (MA in Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology: Prevention and Treatment), Moscow State University (Master's program: Psychology and development), St. Petersburg State University (Master's program: Development psychology and education).
8. 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 the student, in developing necessary professional skills and knowledge
· Ability to motivate the student in the professional field and emphasize personal strengths.
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
· competent construction and use of spoken and written words,
· interpersonal communication skills,
· knowledge of a foreign language (B1 level knowledge is desirable).
ICT application
· basic computer skills (fluent command of MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
· skills in using modern electronic platforms,
· skills to prepare and present presentations (pptx, prezi, canva, etc.).
Other abilities
· time management skills,
Collaborative skills.
1. Professional knowledge and abilities
· Ability to understand, analyze, and interpret the problems of child development in the context of modern trends in the development of society,
· Knowledge of current issues and trends in developmental psychology, social psychology, and psychological counseling, their application in the context of childhood issues
· Ability to quantitatively and/or qualitatively study methodological and applied problems related to developmental psychology and psychological counseling/psychotherapy of children and adolescents.
· Ability to perform various forms of psychological support to children and adolescents, and their parents: psychodiagnostic, counseling, enlightenment, and psychological development,
· Knowledge and ability of the principles of organization of psychological service in education, healthcare, and development.
1. General requirements
Professional requirements
· an academic degree and/or a Master's degree from a foreign university in psychology or a related field, or the presence of at least 5 years of psychological experience in education or health care and/or privately,
· 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 trainings 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
· grade point average of at least 4.0 (for teaching professors)
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 the student, in developing necessary professional skills and knowledge
· Ability to motivate the student in the professional field and emphasize personal strengths.
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
· competent construction and use of spoken and written words,
· interpersonal communication skills,
· knowledge of a foreign language (B1 level knowledge is desirable).
ICT application
· basic computer skills (fluent command of MS Office package: Word, Excel, Power-Point),
· skills in using modern electronic platforms,
· skills to prepare and present presentations (pptx, prezi, canva, etc.).
Other abilities
· time management skills,
Collaborative skills.
1. Professional knowledge and abilities
· Ability to understand, analyze, and interpret the problems of child development in the context of modern trends in the development of society,
· Knowledge of current issues and trends in developmental psychology, social psychology, and psychological counseling, their application in the context of childhood issues
· Ability to quantitatively and/or qualitatively study methodological and applied problems related to developmental psychology and psychological counseling/psychotherapy of children and adolescents.
· Ability to perform various forms of psychological support to children and adolescents, and their parents: psychodiagnostic, counseling, enlightenment, and psychological development,
· Knowledge and ability of the principles of organization of psychological service in education, healthcare, and development.
1. General requirements
Professional requirements
· an academic degree and/or a Master's degree from a foreign university in psychology or a related field, or the presence of at least 5 years of psychological experience in education or health care and/or privately,
· 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 trainings 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
· grade point average of at least 4.0 (for teaching professors)
