Master of Science in Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

The Clinical Psychology main subject offers a choice of two majors, i.e. Clinical Psychology or Clinical Neuropsychology. Whereas the Clinical Psychology major focuses on a broad overview of psychological models and their approach to psychopathology, the Clinical Neuropsychology emphasises the biological basis for behaviour, and the treatment of cognitive and behavioural problems as a result of congenital or non-congenital brain damage.

In addition to the (domain) Master’s programme described above, you can also choose a Master’s Programme in Teaching (in Dutch: Educatieve Master).
Find out more at www.ugent.be/educatievemaster (in Dutch).

Clinical Psychology graduates primarily end up in the health care sector. In psychiatric hospitals, for example, psychologists are in charge of diagnostics, psychotherapy, and increasingly also of coaching and training the nursing staff, occupational therapists and other paramedics. In general hospitals, psychologists can be found on various wards. They are responsible for patient counselling and rehabilitation. In the mental health care sector outside of the hospital, too, psychologists are contacted for all sorts of personal issues. Psychologists also find employment in primary health care and the social welfare sector, in the forensic sector, disability care, special youth care, rehabilitation centres and medical-pedagogical institutes. At Centres for Pupils’ Guidance (in Dutch: Centra voor Leerlingenbegeleiding, CLB), psychologists monitor the pupils’ school career (their learning process, choice of study, socio-emotional aspects, ...). Last but not least, psychologists also become self-employed, either full-time or part-time, and often in a group practice with other medical experts (e.g. general practitioners, psychiatrists).

The 2016 Recognition Act (dd. 10 July 2016) governs the professional recognition of clinical psychologists and clinical special education experts. Among other things, the Recognition Act determines that from the 2017-2018 academic year onwards, first enrollers must take the so-called supervised professional practice (SPP) in addition to completing their Master’s degree in order to obtain professional recognition. The SPP must be completed under the supervision of a recognised work placement supervisor, and take place at a recognised work placement institute. Professional recognition is crucial to clinical special education experts who wish to work autonomously in the health care sector, or become a self-employed counsellor. Students who embarked on their Bachelor’s degree before the 2017-2018 academic year, are exempted from the SPP. Take a look at our faculty website for more information on the professional recognition (in Dutch).

Take a look at our faculty website for career testimonials by our graduates (in Dutch).