A European Framework for Psychologists' Training

CURRICULUM CONTENT - FINLAND

The degree programme has been planned and organised so that the student builds up an overall picture of psychology and its connections to other disciplines including:

• the philosophical, historical and methodological bases of scientific research and knowledge
• the structure of the human psyche and to an adequate extent the physiological structure of the human; and psychological development of the human being as a member of a social group and community
• the organisation of psychological services, their development, planning, their functions and effects on the individual and society
• the history, concepts, theories and methods of psychology
• applications of psychology and their significance
• the concepts, theories and research findings of the social sciences, educational sciences, the natural sciences and medical sciences necessary for professional practice in psychology.

The content of program in major subject studies

The psychology programme is comprised of mutually complementary and illuminative modules. Throughout their studies students enhance their knowledge and skills in

• basic cognitive processes: perception, memory, attention, learning and thinking;
• emotions and motivation
• biological and neurological bases for action
• development of psyche and personality
• interaction between the individual and environment
• methodology and methods in psychology
• history of applied psychology
• the development of professional practice, the present situation and methods for acquiring knowledge and intervention methods.

The basic structural and thematic unit of the degree programme is the study module. All instruction is planned and arranged in study modules, and all courses taken by a student belong to a study module.

The aim of the studies in the main subject is to:

• familiarise students with the central theoretical and methodological concepts and research findings in psychology and with other disciplines pertaining to it ,
• provide an overall picture of the central professional problems in the field of applied psychology
• equip students with the necessary all-round skills for the application of knowledge and professional practice

The curriculum introduced here is from the degree program in psychology at the University of Tampere.

The purpose of the advanced studies is to:

• enable students to acquire scientific knowledge independently, to recognise and solve scientific and professional problems, also in new situations
• broaden the student´s knowledge of the scientific theories, research and methods which are most relevant to the problem area of their studies
• provide thorough knowledge of the research findings within a selected problem area. The advanced studies level is essentially research oriented and entails the writing of a thesis and practical training.

The objective of practical training is to develop the professional skills required. Students are introduced particularly to 1). diagnosis of the individual and community 2). methods of guidance, counseling, care and rehabilitation 3). the activity of organising psychology services and 4). the ethical precepts and obligations of the psychologist´s work.

The studies consist of lectures, literature exams, research projects, group work and practical training and working in psychological clinics. At the early stages, the studies are modular, and focus on the fundamental issues of the discipline. These issues have been grouped into blocks which concentrate on the most essential issues and methods of psychology. The blocks form a coherent continuum, with general studies taken during the first years and more advanced and integrated studies in the later stages. The curriculum consists of general and language studies 40 cr. (including orientation to university studies, basic course in statistics, introduction to scientific research and social research) and minor subjects studies 90 ECTS cr. (including sociology, social policy, education, philosophy, medicine, mathematics and statistics etc. depending on the student's orientation.

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