Master's degree in Psychology (LM-51) - Typical and Atypical Developmental Psychology curriculum - Unicusano

Master’s degree in Psychology (LM-51) – Typical and Atypical Developmental Psychology curriculum

Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology: the course in brief

The Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology (LM-51) aims to complete the education of three-year graduates in Psychological Science and Techniques. The Master’s Degree proposed here can promote, in addition, the development of psychological knowledge and skills for graduates coming from educational courses related to the psychology branch and who, in particular, have already acquired a basic level of preparation in the subjects of psychology.

The curriculum “Typical and Atypical Developmental Psychology” complements the other two curricula offered by the university to complete the three-year training path. The three curricula include teachings with interdisciplinary content and characterizing teachings.

As for the teachings with interdisciplinary content, these aim to:

  1. provide advanced knowledge regarding the main theoretical constructs and methodological paradigms of psychology;
  2. provide advanced planning and operational knowledge in different areas of psychological disciplines, which include: the psychology of normal and pathological cognitive processes, the psychology of emotions and motivation, neuropsychology and neuroscience, psychometrics, and the dynamics of human relationships;
  3. promote advanced knowledge regarding the processes involved in determining, designing and evaluating the effectiveness of psychological intervention
  4. to develop advanced knowledge of methods, techniques and procedures of scientific investigation in the field of psychology, with insights involving statistical methods for data processing
  5. facilitate the student’s participation in laboratory and field experiences (seminars, applied experiences in real or simulated situations, and will be aimed at acquiring skills in experimental methods and in the use of investigative tools in the individual and social spheres);
  6. promote knowledge about the application of tools for communication and information management.

 

The training curriculum in “Typical and Atypical Developmental Psychology. Assessment and Intervention” includes characterizing teachings that aim, in particular, at structuring knowledge and skills in the areas of cognitive neuroscience and developmental neuropsychology, psychology of neurodevelopmental disorders, and child and adolescent health psychology with reference to the pediatric and school context. Such knowledge and skills will enable the master’s graduate to identify and monitor developmental risk factors, conduct assessment practices in the context of developmental disorders, and, in relation to these, implement theoretically grounded and evidence-based intervention models in clinical, rehabilitation, and school settings.

 

Bachelor’s Degree in Developmental Psychology Online.

The online Master’s Degree Course in Developmental Psychology was created to offer all students the opportunity to earn a university degree, regardless of their working or personal circumstances.

Thanks to Unicusano’s e-learning platform, which can be reached 24 hours a day, enrolled students will be able to follow the lectures of the master’s degree program in Developmental Psychology directly online, studying on computer aids from home, and then taking the exams at the nearest location. Quality teaching, convenience and flexibility, combined with the dense network of locations throughout Italy, make Unicusano the best choice for those who wish to pursue a degree in Developmental Psychology online.

Professional profile and expected employment and career outlets for graduates in Developmental Psychology

    • The master’s degree program in psychology prepares for the professions of (ISTAT codings)
    • clinical psychologists and psychotherapists – (2.5.3.3.1);
    • developmental and educational psychologists – (2.5.3.3.2);
    • occupational and organizational psychologists – (2.5.3.3.3).

Knowledge required for access

Access to the Master’s Degree Course in Developmental Psychology requires possession of a bachelor’s degree in class L-24 or class 34(ex-Ministerial Decree 509/1999). Access to the Master’s Degree Course may also include those who hold a bachelor’s degree in other classes, or another degree obtained abroad that is recognized as suitable, or a degree related to the former four-year system, provided they meet the following curricular requirements:

    • at least 9 credits in SSD M-PSI/01;
    • at least 9 credits in SSD M-PSI/02;
    • at least 9 credits in SSD M-PSI/03;
    • at least 9 credits in SSD M-PSI/04;
    • at least 9 credits in SSD M-PSI/06;
    • at least 9 credits in SSD M-PSI/07;
    • at least 9 credits in SSD M-PSI/08.

Any educational deficiencies, with respect to the prescribed curricular requirements, must be filled before the course of study begins and individual preparation is verified, so that courses can be taken with profit.

For access to the courses delivered in English, a knowledge of the language equal to level B2 is expected such that students can use it fluently in both written and oral form. The procedures for admission and verification of the adequacy of personal preparation and curricular requirements that must be possessed for admission to the Master’s Degree Course in Developmental Psychology, are established by the University, with modalities defined in the Didactic Regulations of the Degree Course in Psychology.

 

Specific educational objectives of the Master’s Degree Course in Developmental Psychology and description of the educational pathway

The Master’s Degree Course in Developmental Psychology LM-51 is designed consistently with the provisions of Ministerial Decree 270/04 and according to the criteria established for Europsy certification (www.inpa-europsy.it). Formative objectives common to the three educational curricula of the Master’s Degree in Psychology are:

    • the acquisition of advanced knowledge regarding the main theoretical constructs and methodological paradigms of psychology;
    • an advanced ability to analyse and read the context, as well as the achievement of adequate competence with regard to the processes involved in the determination and design of a psychological intervention, and the ability to evaluate its effectiveness;
    • the acquisition of proper ethics and professional ethics.

Graduates of this Degree Course will be able, after completion of the 1,000 hours scheduled for the professionalizing internship, to access the state exam for licensing as a psychologist. They will also be able to access Level III training (specializations and doctorate).

Expected Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

At the conclusion of their training, the recent graduate in the LM-51 curriculum of “Typical and Atypical Developmental Psychology”. Assessment and Intervention” will have demonstrated:

    • knowledge of the main explicative models of the relevant methods of investigation of cognitive-affective processes with particular reference to memory, language, attention, reading-writing, problem-solving, perception and motivational processes;
    • a thorough knowledge of both assessment and diagnostic tools/techniques applicable with children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders and theoretically grounded and evidence-based intervention models;
    • knowledge of indicators of typical and atypical development in developmental trajectories and neurodevelopmental disorders;
    • knowledge of the impact that a neurodevelopmental disorder can have in life contexts (eg, family, school) depending on developmental stages and variability of the clinical picture;
    • a detailed knowledge of the interactions between the different factors involved in cognitive-affective development in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders and the evolution of these disorders in different age groups with particular reference to the early stages of development;
    • a detailed knowledge of cognitive and social developmental patterns, risk and protective factors in the typical and atypical development of adolescents and young adults (with special reference to neurodevelopmental disorders);
    • knowledge of the factors involved in educational processes in different contexts with special attention to the phenomenon of school dropout;
    • knowledge of the role and functions of the psychologist in the assessment of skills acquired within the school context;
    • knowledge of the ethical and deontological principles governing the psychology profession.

 

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

At the conclusion of their training, the recent graduate in the LM-51 curriculum of “Typical and Atypical Developmental Psychology” will be able to apply knowledge and understanding:

– to the monitoring of developmental trajectories and the detection of indicators of typical and atypical development of cognitive, emotional-affective and social functions in order to prepare timely and targeted interventions to support the development and enhancement of cognitive functions, involving different agents in various contexts;

    • to the assessment of neurodevelopmental and developmental psychopathological disorders using standardized tools and the design of evidence-based interventions modulated in relation to profile, mode of functioning and developmental stage;
    • to the analysis of the needs of the child and his/her family through the application of relevant assessment methods and procedures;
    • to the assessment with administration of psychometric instruments for the analysis of emotional, social, cognitive, language and learning development;
    • to the design, implementation and evaluation of interventions in educational settings, starting from early childhood and throughout the life span, which take into account individual differences and are aimed at enhancing and empowering the talents and abilities of individuals.
    • To the analysis of the structure and functioning of educational organizations.
    • to the application of knowledge about the ethical and deontological principles of the psychology profession to the evaluation of interventions in the different contexts in which they operate.

Final Examination

The final examination to obtain the degree of Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology consists of the presentation and discussion of an original project to be carried out under the guidance of a lecturer/speaker, within the disciplines forming part of the Master’s Degree Course. This test aims to confirm communication-expository skills, autonomy of judgment, ability to generalize learning, etc., as a function of the profession.

The purpose of the final test, therefore, is to verify, in the form of a written report, the critical acquisition of the main contents addressed, to bring out the ability of the master’s degree student to make a synthesis of the qualifying constructs of the course of study. This ability aims to confirm with a conclusive and personal work the communication-expository skills, autonomy of judgment, ability to generalize learning, etc.

 

 

List of teachings
Master’s degree program in Psychology LM-51
Typical and Atypical Developmental Psychology Curriculum. Assessment and intervention
EXAM SSD CREDITS
First year
Psychobiology of cognitive and emotional processes M-PSI/02 9
Psychology of cognitive and emotional processes M-PSI/01 9
Psychobiology of vulnerability and resilience M-PSI/02 9
Psychodynamics of family relationships and parenting support M-PSI/07 9
Clinical psychology and developmental psychopathological disorders M-PSI/08 9
Research techniques and data analysis M-PSI/03 6
Student’s choice subject 9
Total CREDITS 60
Second year
Cognitive neuroscience of development M-PSI/04 6
Developmental neuropsychology: assessment and learning programs M-PSI/02 9
Psychology of neurodevelopmental disorders: assessment and evidence-based intervention models DI FILIPPO – MELOGNO M-PSI/08 6
Emergency psychology: child, family and school support M-PSI/06 9
Health psychology in pediatric and school settings: assessment and intervention techniques M-PSI/08 9
Ethics and deontology laboratory 3
Internship 6
Final examination 12
Total CREDITS 60