Master’s specialisation in School Psychology
The mission of this master specialisation in School Psychology is to create positive learning environments to support talent development and potential for learning in all students regardless of their initial intellectual level and mental health problems. You will learn to empower children and adolescents to succeed academically, but also on a social, emotional and behavioural level. You will be trained to work as a scientist-practitioner, interacting with students, teachers, parents and policy makers.
Romy Burger, alumna
Why this specialisation at Leiden University?
‘The programme contains practical assignments such as a diagnostic trajectory with a child and a coaching trajectory with a teacher. These were enjoyable and prepared me for the work field.’
u Leiden University is the only Dutch university that offers a full master specialisation in School Psychology. u Our programme offers a broad perspective on school psychology, preparing you to work with both typically developing youth and youth with special needs (e.g., emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties), in various educational contexts (primary and secondary, regular and special education) and by intervening at different levels (pupil, teacher, management). u Examples of current master thesis research projects include evaluating a stress prevention programme at secondary schools and dynamic testing of gifted and average students to investigate their cognitive potential and factors related to it.
Facts and figures
Language: Duration: Degree: Start: Admission: Start: Admission:
Discover the world at Leiden University
English 1 year MSc September 1 Apr non-EU/15 May EU February 15 Oct non-EU/15 Nov EU
Course information
Master’s Thesis (20 EC)
SEMESTER I
School-based Prevention and Intervention (5 EC)
SEMESTER II
Needs-based Coaching in Inclusive Two elective courses * Assessment at School (10 EC) Education (5 EC) (5 EC)
Core course
Educational Neuroscience (5 EC)
Internship
Master’s Thesis
(Clinical) Internship (10 or 20 EC)
Elective course
* We recommend the elective course ‘Giftedness and Talent Development: A Transactional Perspective’. Check the Prospectus on our website for the total list of available electives.
Career possibilities
More information
The knowledge and skills you acquire will prepare you for various jobs at schools and other education-related settings, and will qualify you for post-master training programmes for School Psychologist and Mental Health (GZ) Psychologist.
masters.universiteitleiden.nl/ school-psychology
Job prospects include:
Send our student ambassador Annemieke an email: ambassador.mscpsy@ fsw.leidenuniv.nl
u Psychologist in (clusters of) elementary and high schools u Psychologist in a School Advisory Service (‘Onderwijs Advies Dienst’) u Independent coach, trainer, consultant u Psychologist in General Health Care (POHGGZ) u Policy developer at a municipal organization or national government (e.g., ministry of education, culture and science) u Researcher at a university or (government) research institute (e.g., TNO)
careerzone.universiteitleiden.nl/en
Are you curious about the student point of view on this Master’s programme?
Michiel Westenberg, Professor of Developmental Psychology “We developed the programme in close cooperation with practitioners and this is one of the reasons why our students are so well prepared for their internship and subsequent work as a School Psychologist.”