Study cycle's objectives
The Applied Psychology Doctoral Program adheres to an applied science model of training. Our scope is the development and study of evidence-based practices (e.g. psychotherapy, psychological intervention with victims) as well as the study of complex psychological processes (e.g. psychopatology, self-regulated learning). We are committed to training applied psychologists whose research advances scientific knowledge, and who are capable of applying evidence-based methods of assessment and psychological intervention. Thus, the conception that frames this program is practice supported by science, emphasizing the need to implement empirically- supported interventions, test innovative practices, and to study complex psychological processes.
Thus, we offer an advanced training in Applied Psychology, combining the three main domains of research of the Department of Applied Psychology: Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology and Educational Psychology.
This will be achieved through a focused training in applied research skills and the development of advanced knowledge in specific research areas (clinical, forensic and educational).
Competences to be developed by students
Once the students have finished the Ph.D. in Psychology, they will be able to:
a) Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the Applied Psychology field;
b) Demonstrate competence in using research methods associated with Applied Psychology;
c) Demonstrate ability to conceive, design, adapt and carry out significant research in compliance with academic standards of quality and integrity in the field of Applied Psychology;
d) Have completed a significant body of original research, deserving national and international dissemination in publications;
e) Analyze, evaluate and synthesize new and complex ideas;
f) Communicate with peers, the academic community and the society at large in the area of Applied Psychology which the student specializes in; and
g) Promote, the academic, professional, and social progress of Applied Psychology.
Research teams
It is important to emphasize that as students apply to the program with a research project, they will be allocated to a specific topic of research (see below on curricular structure) from the beginning of the program. Thus, each student will be integrated in a research group (e.g. Individual and family psychological processes in health and illness), with a supervisor, which will allow the development of the dissertation within the activities of a productive research team. Research teams formally meet at least once a week. In these meetings, research, theory and methods of research are discussed. Moreover, the current status of each research project is discussed and analyzed.
