Programme:

Psychology (2025/2026)

Study Cycle:	Second Cycle (Postgraduate)
Faculty:	Contemporary Social Sciences

Programme Code:	PSYCH-60
Academic year:	2023 / 2024
Title:	Master in Psychology
ECTS:	60 (1 year)
Decision:

The aim of the Master’s program in General Psychology is to provide students with advanced theoretical knowledge, research skills and practical abilities that will enable them to excel in various professional areas in psychology. The program is designed to provide a deep understanding of human behavior through a multidisciplinary approach, enabling students to face various psychological challenges in educational, organizational, social and clinical spheres. By integrating contemporary theories and research with practical applications, the program prepares students for academic development and a wide range of professional opportunities. It emphasizes critical thinking, empirical research and ethical practice, ensuring that students are well prepared to contribute to the field of psychology.

The justification for introducing this program lies in the growing need for qualified psychologists in the country and the region, where socio-economic and cultural challenges are rapidly changing. The region faces unique challenges such as financial, social crises, and migration, which have increased the need for psychological expertise to address mental health challenges, promote social cohesion, and support recovery in times of instability.

This Master’s program provides a solid educational foundation that is aligned with local needs and international standards, creating opportunities for academic growth, professional development, and positive social impact. The program ensures that graduates will be well-prepared to meet the psychological needs of the region and contribute to the well-being of the community.

Graduates of the Master’s program in General Psychology will be equipped with advanced theoretical knowledge, research skills, and practical competencies to pursue careers in clinical, educational, organizational, and social psychology. They can work in mental health institutions, schools, businesses, NGOs, and research centers, addressing psychological challenges in diverse settings. With a strong foundation in critical thinking, empirical research, and ethical practice, they will contribute to mental health, social well-being, and policy development, responding to the growing need for qualified psychologists in the region.

Knowledge and understanding

Knowledge of the science of psychology about mental phenomena and processes and the ability to use it to explain consistent patterns of an individual, group or society;
Ability to integrate the ideas of different sciences and the ideas of the science of psychology, understanding the subject of the science of psychology in the context of other sciences, recognizing the areas of psychology and the main lines of activity of the psychologist.
Shows the peculiarity of psychology in the study of behavior and mental processes;
Describes the main theories of motivation;
Argues the need to improve mental functioning;
Designs plans for dealing with personal stress;
Explains the physiological and psychological reactions to stressors.
Explains the perception and interaction of the person with the environment;
Evaluates the importance of caring for mental functioning;
Evaluates the importance of psychological functioning in life.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Knowledge of the basics of scientific research methodology, ability to analyze scientific research data;
Ability to plan and conduct scientific research, in consultation with the teacher, using basic quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis, as well as formulating and presenting results and conclusions from the research.
To apply knowledge related to the complex of the work of a psychologist.
Taking specific actions to achieve personal target results;
Demonstrates skill in organizing games with others, sports competitions or cultural activities and successfully manages his emotions in different situations during activities and in everyday life;
Resolves interpersonal conflicts constructively, considering alternatives, making decisions and explaining
Demonstrates in various forms, awareness of managing emotions, stress and conflicts in everyday life situations.

Making judgement

Understanding the specifics of psychological assessment of an individual, group, organization or situation, ability to select appropriate means of psychological assessment;
Ability to apply specific methods and procedures for psychological assessment when assessing an individual, group or organization, under the supervision of a professional psychologist in clearly defined situations, without autonomous decision-making regarding the choice of the method or procedure for assessment;
Ability to design, develop and implement interventions that meet the needs of an individual, group or organization, supervised by a professional psychologist, using individual, group or educational activities
Identifies sources of necessary information and uses them in the right way to solve a problem at a given level of difficulty, giving specific examples;
Has the ability to think critically and actively engage in current social issues.

Communication skills

Ability to autonomously conduct educational activities in the field of psychology, presenting the achievements of the science of psychology, the profession of the psychologist, the activities and results of society;
Ability to effective communication, teamwork and cooperation with representatives of different professions and institutions;
Able to participate in debate, mediation and negotiations;
The process of preparing young people for independent life and career orientation;
Demonstrates the ability to communicate professionally with multiple people in a team atmosphere and through an inclusive approach.

Learning skills

Ability to follow the requirements of professional ethics when performing the activities of a psychologist;
Ability to take personal responsibility for the activities performed and knowledge of the limits of their competence, which activities could be performed independently and which under the supervision of a professional psychologist;
Ability to update and improve the acquired knowledge and skills;
Develop new knowledge and skills for solving such situations and problems.

Semester 1

[CM292] [6 ECTS] Research Methodology
This course is designed for students who are preparing a Master thesis. The main objectives of the course is for students to be offered tools for the construction of their thesis regarding the research question and creating methods for collecting data through qualitative and quantitative analysis. The course is focused on problems of quantitative methods and techniques such as statistical analysis, texts related to the theory and testing hypothesis. In addition, of significance are topics of descriptive and causal inference, longitudinal, comparative and research case studies. Advanced information is offered for collecting data working with text. The aim is analyzing the data qualitatively, finally putting all theoretical and practical actions in the design and writing the thesis.
[CM290] [6 ECTS] Advanced Personality and Social Psychology
This course explores the neurophysiological foundations of human behavior, theoretical models, and practical applications of clinical psychology. It covers the discipline's history, from experimental psychology and psychoanalysis to its development as a multidisciplinary field. Topics include psychopathology, psychological assessment, diagnosis, counseling, and psychotherapy, alongside specialized areas like forensic and communal clinical psychology. Emphasis is placed on teamwork in psychiatry, mental health in the community, developmental disabilities, and child psychology, integrating theory, methods, and instruments to address diverse psychological challenges.
[CM291] [6 ECTS] Educational Psychology and Learning Theories
Critical mastery of concepts and terminology from the main areas of pedagogical psychology; adoption of theoretical interpretations of the learning and teaching process and their organization in the personal conceptual system; training for practical application of acquired knowledge.
[CM293] [6 ECTS] Psychological Schools and Directions
Enriching students' knowledge with information about the development of psychology from its foundation as an independent science to modern ideas and trends in psychology. In order to understand the different approaches in the interpretation of the psychic life of people and to build a critical attitude towards them, the focus is placed on the main paradigms in psychology, which provide a basis for the scientific elaboration of the psychic phenomena within its separate disciplines.
[6 ECTS] Elective Course
- [EM689] Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling
  The course has as its primary goal the provision of in-depth knowledge on the main theoretical models on psychotherapy and counseling. Also, familiarization with the systematic and individual processes and other issues, which are treated in psychotherapy and counseling. Finally, the provision of advanced knowledge on developmental issues, related to psychotherapy and counseling is also one of the goals of the course. At the end of this course, the student is expected to: - Identify historical characteristics and discuss future trends in the field of psychotherapy and counseling; - Recognize the theoretical approaches of psychotherapy and counseling; - Discuss developmental influences on psychotherapy and counseling; - Discuss the differences between psychotherapy and counseling; - Analyze ethical and legal issues in psychotherapy and counseling; - Discuss the influences and role of the family in psychotherapy and counseling; - Evaluate and discuss research in the field of psychotherapy and counseling.
- [EM690] Intercultural Psychology
  To obtain scientific and in-depth knowledge of the essential meaning and basic problems of the interaction of people at work which are analyzed through the connection of the systems of relations in group relations and between cultural relations, the organization, society as a whole and culture.
- [EM691] Behavioral Neuroscience
  To listen and pass the course, students need a basic understanding of biological psychology, active participation in lectures and practical activities, and consistent engagement with the assigned readings. Success is measured through quizzes, case studies, and a final exam that evaluate their understanding of neuroscience concepts and their application.
- [EM692] Work and Organizational Psychology
  The main purpose of the course is to provide comprehensive knowledge of the field of work psychology, its history over the years, the first theories that include the motivation of workers in organizations, leaders and their styles as important factors in organizations, leaders and their role in organizations, stress as factor of decreasing productivity at work, personality and individual differences in the organization. Finally, providing advanced knowledge and techniques that are applied and used in organizations in order to increase efficiency and productivity in work. At the end of this subject, students are expected to: - To examine the historical development of the field of work psychology, - To know the innovations that apply to the field on the labor market; - To analyze and distinguish theories that include different aspects of motivation; - To understand what is stress and what are the negative effects at the workplace; - To differentiate between old technology and new technology; - To evaluate and make individual differences among workers in the organization.
- [EM693] Advanced Clinical Psychology
  Advanced Clinical Psychology explores the neurophysiological foundations of human behavior, theoretical models, and practical applications of clinical psychology. It covers the discipline's history, from experimental psychology and psychoanalysis to its development as a multidisciplinary field. Topics include psychopathology, psychological assessment, diagnosis, counseling, and psychotherapy, alongside specialized areas like forensic and communal clinical psychology. Emphasis is placed on teamwork in psychiatry, mental health in the community, developmental disabilities, and child psychology, integrating theory, methods, and instruments to address diverse psychological challenges.

Semester 2

[CM294] [30 ECTS] Master Thesis
After passing examinations, the student may begin the procedure of filing, making and public defense of thesis topic. The student chooses the mentor, who gives him instructions for preparation of the application of master theses. The application must be granted by the Graduate Studies Educational Collegium and the Scientific and Academic Council of the Faculty. After preparing the final version of Master’s Thesis, Academic-Scientific Council of Faculty forms a three-member committee, which prepares the report, which may be accepted or rejected. The positive report is approved by the Academic-Scientific Council, and it is set the date of public defense.