First Year
The first year of the UAX Master’s in General Health Psychology , totalling 60 ECTS credits, provides comprehensive clinical training, covering assessment and intervention with different population groups (children, adults and older people), as well as specialised contexts such as the forensic field and occupational health. It is complemented by scientific, ethical and methodological foundations, and concludes with 200 hours of external placements in specialist centres. It is also offered in an online format.
Assessment, diagnosis and intervention with children and adolescents. Distinctive characteristics and main disorders
This compulsory annual module, worth 9 ECTS credits, prepares you to work with one of the most complex and demanding groups in the healthcare sector: children and adolescents. Throughout the course, you will learn to assess, diagnose and intervene in a wide variety of clinical conditions typical of these life stages, ranging from intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders to ADHD, learning difficulties, anxiety and mood disorders, and eating disorders.
The programme also covers topics of high clinical and social relevance such as attachment and trauma, child abuse and sexual violence, addictions, and emerging phenomena such as sexting, grooming and cyberbullying.
Advances in Clinical and Experimental Psychopathology
This compulsory 3-ECTS-credit module places you at the forefront of clinical knowledge from the very start. You will study the most up-to-date models of assessment and intervention, third-generation therapies, transdiagnostic clinical formulation and cognitive restructuring. You will also explore the impact of new technologies on therapy and the biological foundations of psychopathology and psychopharmacology.
Assessment, diagnosis and intervention in the adult population. Distinguishing features and main disorders
With 9 ECTS credits, this is the most substantial module of the term. It covers the full spectrum of adult psychopathology: depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, psychotic and personality disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, sexual dysfunctions, relationship problems and sleep disorders. It also addresses critical situations such as bereavement, acquired brain injury and suicidal behaviour. Upon completion, you will be able to assess and formulate complex clinical cases using professional judgement.
The Scientific and Professional Foundations of Health Psychology
This compulsory 6 ECTS-credit module provides you with the legal, ethical and scientific framework for professional practice. You will learn about the National Health Service , the legislation governing General Health Psychologists, the criteria for selecting evidence-based treatments and the ICD-11 classification of the WHO. You will also work on managing patient confidentiality and data protection. An essential foundation before starting clinical practice.
Characteristics of the therapeutic process and core competencies of the General Health Psychologist
This module trains you in the core competencies of a general health psychologist. With the corresponding 6 compulsory ECTS credits, you will explore the therapeutic alliance, motivational interviewing, the management of difficult cases, and dealing with challenges when working with children and adolescents. It also addresses the psychologist’s self-care, a fundamental aspect for sustaining a healthy and sustainable clinical practice in the long term.
Assessment, diagnosis and intervention with older adults. Distinctive characteristics and main disorders
Worth 3 ECTS credits, this module prepares you to work with older people, a group with very specific needs. You will learn to assess and intervene in the most common disorders at this stage of life, to provide psychological support during the processes of dying and bereavement, and to work with carers as an essential part of the therapeutic approach. Strategies for prevention and health promotion in old age are also covered.
Assessment, diagnosis and intervention in the legal-forensic field. Distinctive characteristics and main disorders
This compulsory 3-ECTS-credit module introduces you to one of the most specialised areas of health psychology. You will study psychological expert reports, intervention with children in care, child-to-parent violence, adoption processes and parental suitability, and the assessment of children who are victims of gender-based violence. You will also learn to assess and manage the risk of violent behaviour, a critical skill in legal and forensic settings.
Assessment, Diagnosis and Intervention in the Field of Occupational Health
Worth 3 ECTS credits, this module examines the impact of the workplace on mental health. You will explore the prevention of psychosocial risks, stress and wellbeing at work, workplace bullying and conflict management, and strategies for promoting healthy working environments. This training is increasingly in demand by companies, mutual insurance organisations and occupational health and safety services.
Advanced Resources and Methods in Clinical and Health Psychology Research
This compulsory 6-ECTS-credit module equips you with the methodological tools needed to rigorously conduct and evaluate clinical research. You will learn to design studies, analyse data using univariate and multivariate techniques, create and adapt psychometric instruments, and critically evaluate systematic reviews and meta-analyses. You will also work on communicating results in scientific journals, a key skill if you are interested in a career in research or teaching.
External Placements I
Worth 12 ECTS credits, External Placements I provide your first real-world experience of professional practice. Over the course of 200 hours in specialist centres, you will practise clinical interviewing, case formulation, the application of neuropsychological and clinical assessment tools, relaxation techniques and report writing. You will also develop communication skills with patients, families and multi-professional teams. This is when everything you have learnt in the classroom really takes shape.
Second Year
The second year focuses on practical consolidation and academic completion, featuring a 315-hour External Placement II at specialist centres, and concluding the year with the Master’s Thesis (12 ECTS credits).
External Placements II
External Placements II raise the bar in terms of both rigour and depth compared to the first year. Over the course of 315 hours at the placement centre, you will develop advanced skills: individual and group clinical sessions, psychological assessments, empirical and epidemiological studies, and the development of systematic review protocols. You will also apply assessment and intervention programmes for conditions such as sleep disorders, addictions, eating disorders, sexual dysfunctions and relationship problems, and you will take part in activities to promote individual and community psychological wellbeing. This is the stage at which you consolidate your identity as a general health psychologist.
Master’s Thesis
Worth 12 ECTS credits, the Master’s Thesis is the project that culminates and certifies your training as a general health psychologist. It must be carried out entirely within the field of Health Psychology and may take various forms: an empirical study, a systematic review, an epidemiological study or a clinical case study. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your ability to conduct research, analyse data and contribute rigorous knowledge to the field of mental health.
Summary
The curriculum for the UAX Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology is designed to train well-rounded professionals, capable of assessing, diagnosing and intervening in the most challenging contexts of mental health. The first year lays the clinical and methodological foundations through modules covering adult and child and adolescent psychopathology, the legal and scientific foundations of the profession, and essential therapeutic skills. External Placements I link this theoretical learning to clinical practice from the very first year.
The second year consolidates this training with over 300 additional hours of professional practice and culminates in a Master’s Thesis that demands rigorous research and a thorough understanding of the healthcare sector. The result is a versatile professional profile, qualified to practise as a General Health Psychologist in private practice, mental health centres, hospitals, social services, legal and forensic settings, or in the workplace.
Sources consulted
- Curriculum for the UAX Master’s Degree in General Healthcare Psychology: https://www.uax.com/titulaciones/master-en-psicologia-general-sanitaria
- National Health Service
- World Health Organisation (WHO)
