Psychology Schools and Programs in Italy

Psychology Studies in Italy

Pontificia Università Gregoriana offers psychology studies in Italy.

If Psychology has always been your passion, you should definitely consider pursuing your degree in this field in Italy. This is because Italy has one of the best education systems in the world that keeps on growing and improving. Italy as a country is also very beautiful, making it the best global destination for students.

Psychology as a study

Psychology is a sub-discipline of Social sciences. The study focuses on everything associated with the human consciousness and how it is impacted by culture, society, and the contemporary age. Some of the sub-fields in Psychology include Forensic Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology, Educational Psychology, Counselling, and Developmental Psychology.

Studying Psychology in Italy

As mentioned earlier, Psychology is a study that concentrates on the scientific facets of the human mind and behavior. In Italy, students are introduced to the important theories of the disciplines, for instance, psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and biological psychology. Students get to use both non-scientific and empirical approaches to study and evaluate psychological phenomenon. In the classrooms, students also get the opportunity to critically analyze media representations and scientific findings, and to debate and discuss workable solutions to real-life problems.

The curricula for the study has been constrained by the country’s Ministry of Education. All the courses offered by the different universities have been categorized into four kinds. These include basic courses, characterizing courses, integrating courses, and ‘other activities’. Some of the courses offered include Introduction to Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Psychology of Crime, Child Psychology, Social Psychology, and Workplace Psychology: Building Effective Managers among others.

For the undergraduate degree (180 ECTS), roughly 27 ECTS are devoted to the basic courses, 43 ECTS to the characterizing courses, 18 ECTS to the integrating courses, and 30 ECTS to ‘other activities’, for instance, acquisition of work and academic-related skills. This is the first degree for any psychology student and it is equivalent to a B.A and it is referred to as Scienze e Tecniche Psicologiche. The first degree takes a total of three years to complete.

The second degree (MA) referred to as Psicologia is accomplished in two years and leads to the qualification of Laurea Magistrale. The course is covered by 120 ECTS which are divided among the four types of courses offered.

Psychology students in Italy are expected to complete a one year supervised practice so as to become a member of the Ordine degli Psicologi, and a Chartered Psychologist as well. The internship is divided into six months of working in a professional setting and another six months in a different professional setting. Students are also required to sit for and pass a state exam so as to be chartered.

Some of the universities students can enroll in for the course are the Sapienza University of Rome, University of Padua, University of Verona, University of Trento, University of Bologna, and Monash University among others.
International students can also enroll for the course in the country. They are, however, required to take an English-language test either TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, or Cambridge.

Studying in Italy

Officially known as the Italian Republic, Italy is a unitary parliamentary republic in Southern Europe.  The country is bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia to the north, and is roughly delimited by the Alpine watershed, enclosing the Po Valley and the Venetian Plain.  To the south Italy consists of the entirety of the Italian Peninsula and the two biggest Mediterranean islands:  Sicily and Sardinia.
 
The country of Italy encompasses approximately 116, 350 square miles (301,338 sq. km) of total land area, and with a population totaling right around 60 million it is the fifth-most populous nation in Europe.  The capital and largest city in Italy is Rome, which for centuries has been the leading political, religious and cultural hub of Western civilization, serving as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and the birthplace of modern Christianity.
 
Italy is a regional power in Europe and a member of the European Union, NATO, and the United Nations, among other organizations.  According to the International Monetary Fund, Italy is also the fourth-largest economy in the European Union; the third-largest economy in the Eurozone; and the ninth-largest in the world.  Much of this success can be attributed to the knowledge and skills possessed by Italy’s strong workforce, many of whom are products of the country’s excellent system of higher education.

Psychology Education in Italy

Psychology is a major field of study at universities around the world, and Italy is certainly no exception.  In Italy, Psychology is offered as a degree option at most of the country’s major colleges and universities.  It is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level, leading to Bachelor and Master Degrees, respectively.
 
At the undergraduate level, students have two degree options:  the Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology—a broad-based program that deals primarily with the theoretical aspects of the discipline—and the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, a program that focuses more on the clinical aspects of the human mind and human behavior, and one that is designed for those who intend to practice Psychology following graduation.
 
Psychology programs in Italy consist of several course requirements that collectively give students a solid academic foundation in the basic principles, theories and schools of Psychology.  Students also learn to develop critical thinking skills and research competence.  
 
Some of the coursework students are likely to encounter during the course of their study programs includes:
 
General Psychology
 
This introductory course offers an overview of the entire field of psychology, providing students with an introduction to the history of psychology and the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. While students may feel as if they are skimming over huge topics in this course, it’s important to keep in mind that these will be covered in much more depth later on in the program.

History of Psychology

In order for students to fully understand contemporary psychology, it is important that they look back at the origins and influences on this science. Courses on the history of psychology generally begin with the subject's ancient philosophical origins and explore the contributions of major thinkers (Freud, Jung, etc.) up through the modern day.

Statistics

Statistics courses are a must for any psychology major, whether or not they later intend to pursue a graduate degree.  Statistics courses offer a broad background for understanding how psychologists investigate human behavior. This course generally focuses on statistical methods and techniques used by researchers. According to at least one survey, over three-quarters of psychology graduate programs require at least one undergraduate course in statistics in order to gain admission to the program.
 
Of course, these are but a few of the classes students will need to take en-route to a Bachelor or Master’s degree in Psychology.  Depending on the type of program, other courses may include experimental psychology, social psychology and social problems, physiological psychology, cognitive behavioral theory, developmental psychology, ethics, and abnormal psychology.

Why Study Abroad in Italy

Studying abroad in Italy is truly the opportunity of a lifetime.  In addition to receiving a world-class education from instructors trained to work with international students, participants are offered the unique chance to learn and embrace a new culture, to study the Italian language and feast on the country’s scrumptious cuisine, one of the world’s favorite gastronomies.  Students will also have opportunities to explore the various cities and regions of Italy, including all of the following.
 
Rome
 
As the old saying goes, “Rome was not built in a day,” and visitors who make their way to this beautiful Italian capital will need many days, if not weeks, to see all that it has to offer.  Whether you’re looking to explore the ancient Roman Forum or Coliseum, visit the Vatican and the city that surrounds it, or simply make a wish in the renowned Trevi Fountain, Roman has everything you need to keep your sightseeing schedule full and busy.
 
Florence

Birthplace of the Renaissance and home to the David, Florence is Italy’s second-most popular city for tourists.  Lovers of art and architecture will swoon at the vast array of museums, galleries, statues and famous structures located here; and foodies will find some of the best local cuisine and snack foods the country has to offer, including their world-famous gelato.  A bonus to visiting Florence is that it is situated in the heart of Tuscany, a region that is home to Italy’s premier wine country.
 
Sicily
 
If you can make time during your visit to Italy, the short trip to the island of Sicily should be high on your list of “must-sees.” Visiting Sicily is like stepping back in time to a place that seems relatively untouched by modernity and the hustle and bustle of today’s societies.  As a visitor you’ll have ample time to explore the countryside and well-preserved towns.  Every little town that makes up this picturesque island seems to have its own unique culture; but warmth and friendliness is something they all collectively share.
 
Two of the other cities that should be high on your list of sites and attractions include Venice, the city of Gondolas, canals, and love; and Cinque Terra, a cliff-side city offering breathtaking views of the ocean below.