Health Psychology

Overview

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.