Courses / Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences

Master in Systemic Clinical and Health Psychology

General Objectives of the Course

Considering the good practices and attractiveness of the sub-area Systemic and Family Psychotherapy (Clinical and Health Psychology/ex-MIP), the study cycle has the following theoretical, clinical and research objectives:
To develop a reading of the human being as part of a system of relationships in constant interaction and evolution;
Evaluate and understand psychopathological situations from an ecosystem and relational perspective;
To analyze the use of the systemic model in different contexts and modalities of family, marital, individual and community intervention;
Obtain a broad view of problems (emotional, behavioral, relational) that considers the individual-systems interaction involved (marital, family, school, health, social services, mandated contexts);
To offer specialized training in studies and fields of clinical and health psychology from a systemic approach;
Develop methodological and research skills considering the systemic perspective.

Admission Requirements

a) Holders of a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or legal equivalent;

b) Holders of a foreign higher education degree awarded following a 1st cycle of studies, in the field of Psychology, organized in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process by a state that adheres to this Process;

c) Holders of a foreign higher education degree that is considered by the statutorily competent body of the institution to meet the objectives of the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology;

d) Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is considered by the statutorily competent body of the institution to prove the capacity to carry out the cycle of studies.

The recognition referred to in subparagraphs b) to d) of paragraph 1 only provides access to the cycle of studies leading to a master's degree and does not grant its holder equivalence to a Bachelor's degree or recognition of such degree.

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

Professional Goals

Access to a professional internship under the supervision of the Order of Portuguese Psychologists and subsequent registration in the aforementioned order, mandatory for the exercise of the profession. Psychological practice, namely individual, couple, family and community psychotherapeutic intervention. In terms of employability, systemic psychologists will be able to work with different audiences in different clinical and health contexts, such as support services for children (e.g., CAT, schools, promotion and protection services), adults (mental health units, physical and/or mental rehabilitation), families (family therapy centers, CAFAPs,) and/or the elderly (nursing homes, long-term care units), primary/secondary health care (health centres, family health units, specialised health and mental health services) and social and community services (municipalities, community projects, involuntary clients, mandated/judicial contexts).

Mode of Study

Face-to-face, daytime

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Evaluation elements are understood as the following examples: Written or oral exam, tests, written or practical assignments, as well as individual or group projects, which may have to be defended orally, and participation in classes. The evaluation of each curricular unit may include one or more of the evaluation elements indicated above. The classification of each student, for each curricular unit (with the exception of the Seminar on Systemic Research and Data Analysis, of the 2nd year/2nd semester, evaluated with the mention Approved/Failed), translates into an integer value between 0 and 20 values and students who obtain the minimum final classification of 10 values are considered approved. Whenever the evaluation of a curricular unit includes more than one evaluation element, the final grade is calculated from the grades obtained in each evaluation element, through a formula made public through the annual curricular unit sheet, under the terms of the UC Regulations.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

To reveal in-depth knowledge about the theoretical foundations of the systemic model;
Identify/apply the main models of understanding and systemic intervention;
Know/apply principles and concepts of ecosystem psychopathology to clinical problems and situations;
Know how to make a systemic assessment congruent with the request, respecting systemic complexity;
Work in a team, in a collaborative and coordinated way, making use of systemic skills;
Do personal development work that fosters self-reflexivity in clinical practice;
Build a professional identity as a clinical and health systemic psychologist;
To enable students to promote a researcher profile in systems;
Describe and critically evaluate scientific production;
Identify research problems and objectives and acquire skills to develop research projects;
Apply the code of ethics, both in terms of evaluation and therapeutic practice and research.

Course Coordinator(s)

Ana Paula Pais Rodrigues Fonseca Relvas
uc33778@uc.pt

Luciana Maria Lopes Sotero
uc40804@uc.pt

Maria João Rama Seabra Santos
seabramj@fpce.uc.pt

Maria Madalena Santos Torres Veiga Carvalho
uc35479@uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

The recognition of prior learning is carried out according according to the Credits for Previous Learning and Work Experience Policy of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the decrees: Decree-Law nr 74/2006, 24th March, in its current wording

Graduation Requirements

This cycle of studies awards the master's degree according to the principles set out in DL 74/2006, of 24 March, in its current wording, republished in DL 65/2018, of 16 August.

Access to Further Studies

The qualification gives access to higher education training, namely 3rd cycle studies.

Study Programme

Psicologia Clínica Sistémica e da Saúde

Academic year
2025-2026

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Continuity Master Programme

DGES Code: MB87

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 2 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Continuity second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 08-09-2025
End date: 19-12-2025
2nd Semester: Start date: 09-02-2026
End date: 21-05-2026

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2025-07-31 a 2031-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 34/2021/AL01; 2025-04-02