Health Psychology in English
General information about study program
study program: Health psychology
field of study: Psychology
form of study: internal
standard length of study: 3 years
study language: English
Board of the study program
Prof. Andrea Gecková Madarasová, PhD. (HZO) | VUPCH
Prof. Mgr. Júlia Kanovská Halamová, PhD. | VUPCH
Doc. Mgr. Lenka Sokolová, PhD. | VUPCH
Doc. PhDr. Radomír Masaryk, PhD. | VUPCH
Doc. Mgr. Elena Lisá, PhD. | VUPCH
Mgr. Dagmar Szitás - student
MUDr. Jaroslav Rosenberger PhD. - representative of employers
Support staff and study advisors
teachers:
Prof. Mgr. Martin Kanovský, PhD.
Doc. Mgr. Elena Lisá, PhD.
study advisor (also for applicants): Mgr. Ivana Popovičová, PhD.
(ivana.popovicovafses.uniba.sk)
student study advisor (only for current students): Mgr. Mária Lesičková
(maria.lesickovafses.uniba.sk)
coordinator for mobility and Erasmus+: doc. JUDr. PhDr. Lucia Mokrá, PhD.
(lucia.mokrafses.uniba.sk)
coordinator for students with special needs: Ing. Veronika Miťková, PhD.
(veronika.mitkovafses.uniba.sk)
Application requirements
Obligatory requirements:
Graduate of the 2nd degree of university study
Knowledge of English at B2 level
Knowledge of Psychology equivalent to the completion of the second degree of single-subject study of
Psychology.
Critical evaluation of information - processing of fundamental theories and empirical studies, presented in
the submitted PhD project and during the presentation in the admission procedure
Scientific integrity - without signs of plagiarism in the submitted PhD project or previous studies and
scientific research practice.
Experience with writing a scientific text
Mastering the methodological concepts of quantitative or qualitative data analysis
Ability to critically read texts and scientifically refer to references
Scientific communication and presentation skills
Independent creative work
Analytical thinking
Ability to learn from feedback
Optional requirements:
Experience in managing research projects
Experience with teamwork
Participation in international research projects
Graduate's profile
The study program has the ambition to prepare future researchers capable of designing and conducting innovative, high-quality research on psychological processes in all aspects of health, disease, and health care in the context of international research. Key competencies developed in the study program include scientific integrity, critical evaluation of information, research project management and teamwork, scientific communication, education and supervision, exchange and transfer of knowledge in health psychology using various methodological approaches, and the latest knowledge in this field. In the third degree of the study, attention focuses on a thorough orientation in the past and current trends, concepts, and theories about social and psychological phenomena and their application to the selected research area. At the same time, the doctoral study focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to studying the researched problem. It also requires acquaintance with other disciplines than the specific focus of the dissertation. Based on extensive professional knowledge of the field of study, the graduate can apply critical and analytical thinking, formulate hypotheses and research questions, choose specific scientific methods of basic and applied research in various fields of psychology, interpret results, and propose new and present scientific research. Also, the graduate has the competence to teach psychological subjects. The graduate masters can choose specific scientific methods of basic and applied research in health psychology, overlapping general and experimental psychology, pedagogical, counselling and school psychology, clinical psychology and social psychology, and work psychology. He has extensive professional knowledge from several areas of the field of study, which serves as a basis for conducting research and development and creating new knowledge in psychology.
The graduate can formulate new hypotheses and strategies for further research and development of psychology. He applies the findings of his theoretical analysis and his comprehensive scientific research in solving problems in the fields of study. He practically masters selected research methods and uses them in search of new technologies, technical details, and crucial interactive system links. His outputs and findings can design, verify, and implement new research and working procedures.
The graduate can think independently, with critical and analytical thinking, which he applies in changing conditions. He independently presents the research and development results to the Slovak Republic and abroad professional community. He considers social, scientific, and ethical aspects when formulating research intentions and interpreting research results. Can determine the focus of research and coordinate the research, conceptual and analytical work of experts in the relevant field of science.
The study program's objectives are in line with the long-term development strategy of Comenius University in Bratislava and the government's program statement emphasising the need to improve health care, including prevention, management of chronic diseases, mental health care, more effective provision of health care. The bilingual offer of this study program creates conditions for studying in foreign languages also at the third degree of education, which is in line with Comenius University's strategic goals in education. With its focus on the health, physical and mental fitness of the population, the study program is in line with the strategic goals of Comenius University in the field of science and research.
Graduates' employability:
Graduates will be prepared to work in higher education, public health and epidemiology, health care, public administration, development and analysis, and the private sector. Thanks to their interdisciplinary training and experience with international research projects, they will be valuable contributors to global research networks. Graduates of the doctoral study of Health Psychology are, at the same time, fully qualified to perform any practice in psychology following the legislation for individual specialisations. The graduates will most often hold the occupational psychologists' positions due to the demand on the labour market. Also, the graduates work, for example, in various areas of clinical psychology, traffic psychology, forensic psychology, pedagogical, school, counselling psychology, research positions, and many others.