Course Presentation

The 3rd Cycle in Psychology has 13 areas of specialization: Cognitive Psychology, Development Psychology, Educational Psychology, Social Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Economic Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Community Psychology, Psychosomatics, Psychoanalysis, Ethology and Psychobiology. Each of these specialization areas has 180 ECTS and duration of 6 semesters.

Profile of the Programme and Level of Qualification

3 (three) years, 6 (six) semesters, 38 weeks of full-time study per academic year, 180 ECTS. The degree is organized in two phases: a curricular component and a research and dissertation component.

The curricular component – Curso de Doutoramento – lasts for one year and intents to provide advance training in Psychology and in research methods and data analysis. This curricular year corresponds to 60 ECTS with the following organization:

• Required Courses: 36 ECTS Courses in the Specific Scientific Area of the Doctorate 12 ECTS in Methods
• Optional Courses: 12 ECTS in another Specific Scientific Area

The second phase of the Doctoral programme lasts for two years and comprises the preparatory research as well as the writing of the doctoral thesis. This second phase corresponds to a total of 120 ECTS (60 ECTS per each academic year).

University higher Education – Doctorate Level 8 (National Framework of Qualifications, Decree-Law 782/2009, published in Diário da República, 1ª Série, nº 141, July 23th.

Key Learning Outcomes

The 3rd Cycle in Psychology aims the deepening of the models, theories and methods of Psychology in its several specialization areas, as well as the development of skills that allow the production of research that expand the knowledge in Psychology in its several specialization areas.

The students should acquire the following skills:

• To be able to, in an extended way, understand and reflect upon: 
• Theories and methods in Psychology and in one of its specialization areas in particular; 
• Methods in Psychology; 
• Data analysis techniques; 
• To be able to critically analyse, assess and synthesise new and complex ideas; 
• To be able to create, project, adapt and implement scientific research, in one of Psychology’ specialization areas, according to the proper scientific ethical principles; 
• To be able to communicate, in a clear way, both to specialists and non-specialists, the main theoretical and methodological constructs as well as the conclusions of a research work; 
• To be able to promote scientific, social and cultural progress in the academy as well as in other contexts.

Qualification awarded

Doctoral Degree

Admission Requirements

• Holders of a Master Degree or equivalent;
• Holder of a Licentiate degree (prior to the Bolonha Agreement) who have a academic, scientific and professional curriculum, recognised by the Scientific Council under the suggestion of the Scientific Commission of the Doctoral Programme in Psychology, that assures the ability to enrol in this doctoral programme;
• Holder of an academic, scientific and professional curriculum, recognised by the Scientific Council under the suggestion of the Scientific Commission of the Doctoral Programme in Psychology, that assures the ability to enrol in this doctoral programme. 

Graduation Requirements

To graduate the student must complete the 180 ECTS successfully.

Mode of Study

Full-time.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate the student must complete the 180 ECTS successfully.

Programme Director

Vice-Reitora: Manuela Veríssimo, PhD - vice-reitora@ispa.pt