Program name

Child and Adolescent Psychological Assessment and Counseling

Program managers

Associate Professor Luiza Arutinov

Assistant Professor Teona Lodia

Qualification awarded

Master of  Psychology

Language of instruction

Georgian

The main purpose of the MA program is to train a professional psychologist in the field of developmental psychology, psychological assessment and consultation of children and adolescents that will fill the gap in the sphere of psycho-diagnostic and psychological assistance of preschool and school children, consulting their parents and teachers.  Without adequate assessment of children’s and adolescents’ academic skills and personal qualities, timely identification of emotional and behavioral disorders as well as planning and implementation of qualified interventions, it is extremely difficult to carry out the learning process in an optimal manner, to take an individual approach towards children and create an enabling environment for their normal growth and development.  

One of the key tasks of the program is to teach the techniques of working with diagnostic tools and what is especially important, to promote the creation and standardization of Georgian versions of foreign tools recognized in modern psychology. The implementation of this task has been dictated by the shortage of psycho-diagnostic methods, including diagnostic tools designed for children and adolescents. This task is an organic continuation of the work conducted in the framework of the previous MA program. The program focuses on acquiring theoretical knowledge and practical skills   necessary for diagnosis and consultation of children and adolescents.

• An applicant should have a BA or a specialist’s diploma in psychology;
• No work experience is required;
• Passing a master’s exam;
• Filling in a standard application form in accordance with the university requirements;
• Passing an entry exam in specialization “Developmental Psychology”;
• Interview in one of foreign languages – English, German, French or Russian (it is desirable that an applicant knows English and Russian languages);
• A letter of motivation;
• Examination format and final grade calculation structure;
• Written exam in specialization 60% (exam duration – 4 hours, see topics with reference to relevant literature in the Annex);
•  Interview in a foreign language – reading and translating a psychological test;
• Conversation in a selected foreign language – 30%;
• A letter of motivation – 10%

Master’s degree program is based on the model of preparation of scientist-practitioner and prepares students for independent work in the field of Child and Adolescent Psychological Assessment.  Besides that, the program gives students very serious basis for scientific-research work and continuing education.

The aim of the program is to prepare professionals in the field of developmental psychology and Child and Adolescent Psychological Assessment and counseling. The learning, practical and research components of the program guarantee  preparation of professionals able to do research, counseling, psycho-diagnostic and expert work in the field of child and adolescent education, health and social policy. At the same time the program represents very important basis for doctoral studies.

Students will gain the following competencies:

(a) Field competencies – to implement child and adolescent psychological assessment and to plan and implement intervention based on that; counseling of parent; identification of childhood and adulthood mental, personality and behavioral disorders to ensure timely intervention. Besides that, student will gain knowledge of basic principles of psycho-diagnostic and testing, will learn different approaches of psychological assessment and specific instruments; will learn to make valid conclusions based on the result of analysis.

(b) General / transferable competencies – information searching skills using modern technology, analyzing this material and information, generating ideas, discussing critically, team working skills, planning and implement common work; scientific conscientiousness; objectivity and responsibility.

(c) The logic of the content and structure of the program is based on integration of practical and theoretical knowledge. Students will gain specific professional knowledge and practical skills in the central field of their specialization (psychotherapy, psychological counseling, psycho-diagnostic, developmental psychology) as well as in the closest professional fields (psychology of deviant behavior, psychiatry and psychopathology).The second major branch of the program – psychological assessment –is based on integral approach too. In parallel of learning theory and methodology of diagnostics and psychological measurement students will gain knowledge to test theoretical hypothesis empirically, to conduct scientific research and analyze results statistically.

There is 80 ECT for learning component (all mandatory courses), 10 ECT for practical work (internship experience in the organizations working with children and adolescent) with supervision, 30 ECT for master’s thesis – which is the most important part of the program. Students should conduct research in the field of child and adolescent.

Any organization whose activities are related to the development or education of preschool and school children, protection and rehabilitation of their mental health, providing professional assistance to them; in particular, such may be state or private clinics, school and preschool institutions, penitentiary or other institutions; rehabilitation services for children with special needs, etc. Based on the acquired knowledge and after gaining certain experience, masters will be able to work in psychological assessment of not only children and adolescents, but also adults.

They will be able to carry out research, consultation and expert works in the spheres of children and adolescent education, health protection and social policy; to hold academic positions at universities and research centers as well as to continue their studies on a doctoral program.