Course Presentation

In the first three years of training in Psychology at ISPA, students will be provided with a body of knowledge and competences which will be the foundation of the specialization that will take place in the last two years of the course. In this first phase of training, students acquire knowledge in the basic areas of Psychology, studying the main theories and methods of this discipline. Students equally obtain training in scientific areas which are indispensible for an overall and integrated understanding of human behaviour, enabling for the critical use of knowledge and for research, in accordance with Psychology’s ethical demands.

In the last two years, students narrow their training, acquiring theoretical-practical competences, in their area of specialization, Educational or Social and Organizational or Clinical Psychology, deepening their knowledge in Research Methodologies, Models, Theories and Techniques of Psychology and in Educational or Social and Organizational or Clinical Psychology in particular.

These last two years provide advanced training that allows for professional autonomy, as well as the completion of research projects in the area of Psychology

Profile of the Programme and Level of Qualification

5 (five) years, 10 (ten) semesters, 38 weeks of full-time study per academic year, 300 ECTS. The degree includes two semesters of internship. University higher education – Masters Level 7 (National Framework of Qualifications, Decree-Law 782/2009, published in Diário da República (Official Gazette), Série 1, nr 141, July 23rd).

The Master’s is recognised by the Ordem dos Psicólogos. Professional title requires enrolment in the Ordem dos Psicólogos.

Key Learning Outcomes

The Integrated Master in Psychology intents to endow the students with:

The ability to fully understand: 

• The main theories and models in Educational or Social and Organizational or Clinical Psychology; 
• The main methods in Educational or Social and Organizational or Clinical Psychology; 
• The relations between the knowledge in Psychology with specific knowledge acquired in Educational or Social and Organizational or Clinical Psychology; 
• The relations between the knowledge acquired in areas that are related to Psychology with knowledge acquired in Educational or Social and Organizational or Clinical Psychology;

To be able to critically use: 

• The knowledge acquired in the domain of the main theories and models in Educational or Social and Organizational or Clinical Psychology and to use it in the resolution of problems; 
• The knowledge acquired in the domain of the main methods in Educational or Social and Organizational or Clinical Psychology and to use it in the resolution of problems; 
• The knowledge acquired in Psychology and to use it in the resolution of problems; 
• The knowledge acquired in areas that are related to Psychology and to use it in the resolution of problems;

To be able to think over and to solve ethical and social problems that derive from Psychology in specific contexts; 

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 develop, through out life, research work in Psychology that allows learning with a high level of autonomy.

Qualification awarded

Master Degree

Specific Arrangements for Recognition of Prior Learning

Any citizen over 23 years old who does not have the secondary education diploma (12^th grade) can attempt to gain admission to a limited number of vacant places available, through special examination which includes an interview (Decree law: Decreto-Lei 64/2006, de 21 de Março).

In accordance with the current legislation (Portaria 401/2007, of Abril 5^th and Decreto Lei 64/2006, of March 21^st) ISPA recognizes and credits skills acquired in professional and other contexts for academic purposes.

Former Students Occupational Profiles

Paula Carneiro

Paula Carneiro is a former student that now is Microsoft’s Western European Business Manager.

She graduated in Social and Organizational Psychology in 1990. During her years at ISPA she attended, as an Erasmus Student, the Université d’Aix in Marseille, collaborated in several projects in the Community (namely with CNAF and LPDM) and decided to enrol in a Post-Graduation in Cognitive Ergonomics.

After graduating, she taught at ISPA and worked in several companies in the areas of aviation and communications, before she began her first experience in a multinational company: ICL Fujitsu. Paula spent 6 years at ICL Fujitsu, half of them abroad, in England. There she contacted with different organizational policies, practices and processes.

In 1997 Paula began another professional challenge. She created the Human Resources Management area at Data Informática, a company held by BES.

After 6 years she embraced another project, this time at Microsoft, where she develops several projects in Human Resources.

Tiago Almeida

At the age of 27, Tiago Almeida, a former student is a case of professional success. The educational psychologist spends his time between the Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa (Lisbon School of Education) where he teaches Psychology, research (he is currently preparing to apply to the PhD), collaboration with the UIPCDE – Unidade de Investigação em Psicologia Cognitiva do Desenvolvimento e da Educação at ISPA, and the Center of Educational Intervention “Educares” that he created with a another former student.

In 2000, at the age of 18, Tiago didn’t hesitate to choose ISPA. He says “It feels like home”.

Although he planned to pursue his studies in Clinical Psychology he latter discover Educational Psychology: qualified teachers, the subjects and the projects available helped him make his decision.

Since then, he had several very rewarding professional experiences in schools such as Maristas, in Carcavelos, Casa da Criança, in Tires and Plátanos, in Sintra.

Filipa Pereira

Filipa Pereira, who graduated as a Clinical Psychologist at ISPA, is now working at the Comissão de Protecção de Crianças e Jovens (Comission for the Protection of Children and Young People at Risk) in the Eastern part of Lisboa.

Filipa always dreamt of becoming a Psychologist and, when the time came, she didn’t hesitate to move to Lisboa and to enrol at ISPA. Friends and family spoke highly of the School and she embraced this new challenge. She says that at ISPA she found “a home away from home”.

At ISPA she chose Clinical Psychology stating that “Clinical Psychology is very interesting and provides different professional approaches and options”. As a student she emphasizes the importance of the contact between students and teachers as well as the contact with the professional reality provided by the internship.

Apart from the academic activities, Filipa underlines the importance of the cultural initiatives held at ISPA, namely poetry sessions, concerts, exhibitions or films.

Mode of Study

Full-time or Part-time

Access to Further Study

The Master’s degree allows access to 3rd Cycle studies, according to the conditions stated by NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Center).

More information at NARIC.

Examination Regulations Assessment and Grading

On a 0 to 20 grading scheme, a minimum grade of 10 in each course unit is necessary to pass.

The assessment in each course may include:

• Type 1 Assessment Methods: exams (with or without oral presentation);
• Type 2 Assessment Methods: group or individual essays (with or without oral presentation);

Assessment may also include the evaluation of participation in class.

The following table presents the possibilities of arrangement of Assessment Methods and the respective percentage of the final grade.

The type of assessment of each course is included in the course syllabus that also contains the course objectives, course expectations, course contents and recommended reading.

The Master’s requires public presentation and discussion of a written dissertation before an expert panel designated by the Scientific Council, composed of a President and at least to examiners from the specific academic area of the Master’s (one internal and one external). 

Graduation Requirements

To graduate the student must complete the 300 ECTS successfully. The obtain the Master degree the student must publicly present and discuss a written dissertation before an expert panel designated by the Scientific Council, composed of a President and at least two examiners from the specific academic area of the Master’s (one internal and one external). 

Programme Director

Francisco Peixoto, PhD. - vice-reitor@ispa.pt

Admission Requirements

Entrance to the Course is available to: 

a) Holders of a high school degree or legal equivalent and can demonstrate the ability to attend higher education through entrance exams; 

b) Holders of a degree or legal equivalent; 

c) Holders of a Diploma of Specialized Technology; 

d) applicants who have successfully completed the tests specifically designed to evaluate the ability of frequency of the course for people over 23 years e) applicants who meet the conditions referred to in regulations for access by the Course Change, Transfer and Re-entry Regimes.

To apply to higher education through the National Competition, students must satisfy the conditions stated by NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Center). More information at NARIC.

For further information please contact international@ispa.pt