Clinical psychology

The Doctoral Programme in Clinical psychology educates young researchers and future academic teachers in the applied fields of clinical psychology with the specific focus on psychotherapy research, psychodiagnostics and public health. The aim is put on deepening the students’ knowledge of theory in psychology applied disciplines that can be used both in research and in solving problems in psychological practice. Students acquaint themselves with the latest theoretical approaches, they acquire a critical stance regarding theoretical concepts and empirical research, they learn the methods necessary to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data. Students gain the abilities and skills needed to independently scientifically reflect upon issues in psychology as well as the ability to work in research teams, being in purely psychological or interdisciplinary collaboration. Doctoral students share their knowledges and experiences with younger students (in bachelor and master programmes) and help them to join young research teams.

In the field of psychotherapy research we offer focus both on efficacy of psychological treatments methods and process of psychotherapy.

In the field of psychometrics we are pointing out the psychometric analyses of developing methods

In the public health field the development of the new methods and interventions would be recommended.

Students share their skills and experiences at common seminars.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• Work  in the field of clinical psychology research individually and independently, to manage the data collection and its statistical analysis, be able to interpret and explain evidence from research.
• In research participate in international network of colleagues conducting unaided analytical work on the basis of their knowledge of theory.
• Participate on specific projects of the home department and faculty.
• Formulate innovative research designs aiming to solve the new problems in the field and share the experiences with students in bachelor and master programmes.
• Independently suggest the sofisticated research design. To create, validate and aply the measurements, techniques and skills in psychological research.
• Publish independently and with other members of the research teams and communicate the results of scienfitic work, incl. popular discourse.
• Join interdisciplinary teams with physicians and public health experts.

When the graduate of study of Clinical psychology achieved the goals then has better chance to assert on labour-market and his professional progress will be supported.

When studies are finished, the graduate is able to lead the researches and also take control of checking new therapeutic and diagnostic methods. He/she can be supervisor, expert, can judge validity and reliability of methods which are used. Could also be a supervisor for authorized expert in area of forensic psychology.

The graduate – with the title PhD., who publish books or special articles is easier employable in academic and scientific area and also in clinical practice, for example teaching hospitals. By this way he has competencies for cooperation with foreign researchers. We assume that getting the job at university or at Psychology Institute of Academy of Science would be easier.

The graduate could also be practising psychologist – of course he needs to have education at Master level in Psychology and pass relevant internships. Our students are coaching for career in training and research centres regarding Clinical psychology.

The graduate is able to assert in those fields, where is for example absence of doctors – e.g. researching teams in health care, in publishing diagnostic methods, he can cooperate with teams abroad etc.

However, graduating from this Doctoral Programme does not qualify one to enter the psychology profession, e.g. become clinical psychologist, or psychotherapist; it is not a substitute for obtaining a Master’s Degree in psychology.

During one's studies, it is compulsory to complete a three-month-long internship at an academic institution or at an institution concerned with applied research abroad. Another required work experience is participating in teaching (psychology at bachelor and/or at Master level courses) and in research projects at the Department and other academic institutions.

Doctoral Theses must contain original results, either published or accepted for publishing. The standard character count of the doctoral thesis is between 180,000 and 216,000 (spaces included). This encompasses footnotes, the cover, the table of contents, the reference section and the abstract.

The Doctoral Thesis is a complex analysis and/or a complex solution to an issue in the chosen area, potentially even a complex analysis of existing solutions (theoretical work). A collection of at least three papers concerning a certain topic that are published or accepted for publishing can be admitted instead of a Doctoral Thesis conditional upon them being accompanied by an overarching introduction and a general discussion. Even in this case, the required character count must be met. All referencing of literature and other sources must be done according to the APA standard.