Master Degree in Cognitive-Behavioural Interventions in Clinical and Health Psychology

General Objectives of the Course

The training of this 2nd cycle of studies aims to provide in-depth and specialized knowledge on theories/ models and evidence-based intervention on cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) across health contexts, as well as clinical skills in assessment, case conceptualization and CBT. This CS aims to prepare students for professionalization as a clinical psychologist, as well as for advanced graduate studies (3rd cycle). The objective is to provide students with more solid and in-depth scientific knowledge about CBT models, to foster their personal development and critical thinking skills, and to develop their technical/clinical and research skills in CBT, which are essential to the professional demands of the clinical practice in Psychology, thereby allowing for the completion of the professional internship to the Portuguese Board of Psychologists (OPP), as well as contributing to the development and consolidation of a differentiated research in the field of CBT interventions..

Admission Requirements

The following requirements are prerequisites to apply to the Masters programme: a) Holders of a Portuguese Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Psychological Sciences or legal equivalent; b) Holders of a foreign Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Psychological Sciences, organized by an international institution in accordance with the principles of the Bologna; c) Holders of a foreign Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Psychological Sciences, recognized as equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree by the Scientific Board responsible for the Masters course.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

The nature of this Cycle of Studies (CS), which aims to deepen skills that prepare students for the professional practice of Clinical Psychology, allows access to the junior professional year of the Portuguese Board of Psychologists (OPP; training period in accordance with the European Diploma in Psychology, Law 138/2015 of 7th September). Career opportunities include working directly with general health and mental health services, social security/welfare services and justice services, teaching, and basic and applied research.
Considering the above-mentioned job opportunities, the following occupational profile is defined:
a) Diagnosis, assessment and intervention in a wide range of physical and psychological health conditions aimed at reducing suffering and improving psychological well-being. As an example, students may participate of a multidisciplinary team in a hospital setting and develop interventions in chronic physical health conditions (e.g. diabetes) and / or mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety disorders).
b) Teaching in secondary schools, polytechnic institutes and university institutions.
c) Research in a diversity of areas, namely related to clinical and health psychology, particularly in cognitive behavioral models, processes and therapeutic interventions.

Mode of Study

Daytime

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

The assessment and classification of the Curricular Units (C.U.) is governed by the FPCEUC Evaluation Standards, in accordance with the prevailing regulations at the University of Coimbra. In addition, the multi-year fact sheets of each curricular units (FCUs) also define the examination regulations, assessment and gradings of the CUs that compose the Masters Programme.
The assessment regulations are two-folded: regulations for the normal C.U. of the Masters Programme, and regulations for the dissertation, internship, internship report, project and orientation and follow-up seminars.
1. Assessment and classification of normal C.U.:
a) The assessment period shall be considered at the end of the first semester and at the end of the second semester. Each of these periods includes a first phase and a second phase. In extraordinary cases there may be an extraordinary assessment phase and/or two extraordinary assessment phases (according to the Regulation of the University of Coimbra for Special Student Rights, RDEEUC; for those students who fall in one of the cases identified in paragraph 4 of Article 2 of the FPCEUC Assessment Regulation.
b) Two assessment regimes are considered: Periodic Assessment that takes place throughout the school year at least in two distinctive moments; the Final Assessment which implies one single assessment moment at the end of the term, written and / or oral exam, in the first or second assessment phase.
c) The final grade of the C.U. is translated into an integer value between 0 and 20, after applying the formula that considers the grade and weighting of the grade obtained in each evaluation element. Students who obtain the minimum final grade of 10 are considered approved.
2. The assessment and classification of the C.U. not included in the previous shall be governed by the following specific rules:
a) Thesis: include the thesis (written document) and its public presentation and defense (100%). The final classification of this C.U. is an integer value between 0 and 20. Students who obtain a minimum final grade of 10 are considered approved.
b) Internship: includes the assessment by the FPCE UC supervisor, considering the work performed throughout the year, as well as the quality of the internship report. This grade takes into account the assessment by the local advisor, ratified by the FPCEUC supervisor, according to the internship harmonization document in force at FPCEUC (100%).
3. The master's degree is awarded to those who, are approved in the normal C.U., and in the public presentation and defense of the dissertation, project and internship report, obtaining the number of ECTS described in the curriculum.
4. The final grade of the course will correspond to the average of the grades obtained in the various C.U. weighted by the respective ECTS.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

This 2nd CS aims to consolidate the and cross-cutting skills acquired in the 1st cycle and offer a specific and differentiated training in CBT models and interventions applied to (mental) health contexts. The CS aims to promote theoretical and practical skills necessary for the professional practice of Clinical Psychology, namely cognitive-behavioral (CB) assessment, case conceptualization according to CB models, therapeutic planning and implementation of evidence-based CBT protocols. The CS also intends to develop autonomous scientific research skills. The course internship and the dissertation aim to provide and strengthen personal and interpersonal skills (responsibility, autonomy, initiative, teamwork, ability for critical thinking and self-assessment) and the scientific skills and rigor in the processes of knowledge, intervention and research. The collaboration with various internship institutions aims to prepare students for the completion of the OPP professional internship.

Course Coordinator(s)

Cláudia Rute Carlos Ferreira
uc36208@uc.pt

Helena Teresa da Cruz Moreira
hmoreira@fpce.uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Bruno Cecílio de Sousa
uc41501@uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The present study cycle gives the Master degree according to the principles in DL 74/2006, of March 24, in its current wording, republished in DL 65/2018, of 16 and August.

Graduation Requirements

The Master's degree is granted to those who, through approval in all curricular units that constitute the cycle of studies and in the public act of defense of the dissertation and of the internship report, have obtained 120 ECTS.

Access to Further Studies

By granting the Master degree, this course allows access to the third cycle of studies (doctoral degree).

Study Programme

Intervenções Cognitivo-Comportamentais em Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde

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Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Continuity Master Programme

DGES Code: MB83

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 2 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Continuity second cycle

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Applications

Call for Applications

• 2nd Cycle Course
• Readmission

• Application submission
• Web page with information for candidates

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Calendar

1st Quarterial

Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 30-11-2024

2nd Quarterial

Start date: 01-12-2024
End date: 28-02-2025

3rd Quarterial

Start date: 01-03-2025
End date: 31-05-2025

4th Quarterial

Start date: 01-06-2025
End date: 31-07-2025

1st Semester

Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 14-12-2024

2nd Semester

Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

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Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior

2020-07-31 a 2026-07-31

Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior

Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 18/2021

2020-12-28

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Documents