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FORMAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS - FINLAND
The title. The formal qualification requirements for
practice as a psychologist in Finland are the following:
- a degree of Master of psychology from one of the six
universities
- on the basis of the Master´s degree in psychology
the National Board of Medicolegal Affairs registers
psychologists in the Central Register of Health Service
Professionals.
The Master´s degree in psychology entitles one to
apply for the title of psychologist. Only authorised graduates
of psychology (Masters) may use the title of "Psychologist" and
work as a professional psychologist. The Master´s degree
includes a compulsory period of practical training in a unit
approved by the department. This training is full-time and
lasts 4-6 months. The degree of Bachelor/Candidate of
psychology (about 3 years) does not give the right to work as a
professional psychologist in Finland.
The Finnish degrees in psychology are
- Candidate/ Bachelor
- Master
- Licenciate
- Doctor in psychology.
Studies in psychology lead first to the intermediate degree
of Bachelor/candidate of psychology (120 Finnish cr./ 180 ECTS
cr.) or alternatively, and almost always, to the degree of
Master of Psychology (180 Finnish cr./ 270 ECTS cr.) and the
studies in minor/subsidiary subject(s). Major subject studies
comprise basic studies, subject studies, and advanced
studies.
The law. Since 1994 the title and work of a psychologist
have been protected by law. Psychologists (Master's degree) are
considered as health care professionals and are registered. "A
registered... professional person... has a right to practise
the profession in question and ...use the related occupational
title" (Act 559/94 §2). A registered psychologist is free
to practice within any area of psychology.
Further specialist education
The professional specialisation training in psychology is a
scientific, professionally oriented education that can be
entered after completing the Master´s degree in
psychology and after working minimum 2 years on the field of
the specialisation. The training leads to the licenciate
degree, which is a scientific degree that combines scientific,
theoretical professional studies in one of the available five
specialisation areas (Statute 318/96). It is organised
nationally by Psykonet, the Net University of Psychology, which
consists of the six departments of psychology at Finnish
universities. Each specialisation programme in Psykonet has a
national group representing different universities, the Finnish
Psychological Association and the students. The group plans,
and organises the training. The management group of
specialisation training coordinates the whole training system.
On the basis of the Licenciate degree, the Finnish Medico-Legal
Centre should register specialised psychologists ( Act on
Health Care Professionals 559/94 §6)
Specialisation areas are
- Developmental and educational psychology
- Health psychology
- Psychotherapy
- Neuropsychology
- Psychology of work and organisations
The study program consists of
- specialisation studies (professional and theoretical and
methodological studies of the specialisation area)
- working experience and supervision
- research methodology
- the licenciate thesis.
The curriculum is planned so that it can be carried out in
four years while working as a full time practitioner. Since the
training is academic postgraduate education it is free of
charge for the students.
Research. Licenciate and Doctor's degrees are scientific
degrees. The licenciate degree in psychology may include
specialisation training (Decree 318/ 96 2§).
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