Clinical Psychology (MSc)
In the master’s specialisation in Clinical Psychology we adhere to the scientist-practitioner model. The aim of this programme is to offer you a balanced combination of theory and skills training – as regards both psychotherapy and research. The specialisation prepares you for further training programmes to become a licensed practitioner in The Netherlands. The program may also be a suitable first step for students who are considering a career as trainer or counsellor.
Part of
Rho von Liebenstein
Clinical psychologist
I graduated in 2015 and I am now working as a psychologist at GGZ Rivierduinen. My colleagues tell me I have a scientific way of thinking: research-minded, inclined to analyse and test before I draw a conclusion. I owe that to my education.
What does this master's programme entail?
Aim of the programme
In this one-year program you will learn three things:
- Clinical Interviewing: the skills and knowledge to conduct mental status examinations and to classify signs and symptoms into diagnostic categories.
- Basic therapeutic skills: the skills and knowledge to organize and conduct therapeutic consultations.
- Scientific thinking: the skills and knowledge to evaluate the scientific literature on clinical psychology; skills and knowledge to formulate research questions, design clinical research, analyze data and report on findings.
Scientist-practitioner model
Clinical Psychology at Leiden University is a Master’s program at the interface of science and practice. The program is one-third coursework, one-third thesis, one-third internship.
The content of our teaching is informed by the department’s research program, which focuses on mood disorders, anxiety disorders, traumatic stress and personality disorders.
Theory is combined with practical clinical training in small groups (12 students). You will gain knowledge on the science of Clinical Psychology and also learn to apply this knowledge in assessment and treatment. The teaching staff consists of young and established researchers who are internationally visible and who contribute to the development of their field. Professional skills will be taught by experienced clinicians.
Professional career
This Master’s degree does not lead to an independent license to practice, but after completion of this program you will fulfill the requirements for further training to become a licensed psychologist (GZ-psycholoog) in The Netherlands.
Please note that admittance to this post-master training is competitive and not garantueed; it also requires a further two years of training (salaried positions).
The situation may be different if you have a foreign bachelor education or if you wish to become a licensed practitioner in a country other than The Netherlands. Please check your local requirements carefully. We allow students to complete an internship abroad, provided the quality can be assessed and adequate supervision is available.
We offer an International Practice Internship (IPI) in which students learn to assess and coach other students (in a five-session treatment model). These internships may be suitable for students who do not (yet) wish to become a licensed clinical psychologist or psychotherapist, but rather coach or counsellor.
Finally, students may also apply for a research internship and our graduates also qualify for PhD student positions.
Please note that admission to all post-master tracks is highly competitive in the Netherlands. Many graduates first find a non-licensed position in mental health care, where they work under supervision and gain more experience.
Reasons to choose Clinical Psychology at Leiden University
- You will develop important skills regarding diagnostics and treatment of psychological problems, but you will also develop theoretical knowledge to execute clinical research and analyse mental disorders. A large part of the program is dedicated to practical clinical training.
- You will attend classes of internationally well-known researchers who work in clinical practice and bring those experience in to the lecture room.
Clinical Psychology: the right programme for you?
Clinical Psychology could be the right program for you if:
- You are interested to acquire the basics skills needed for classification, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
- You are interested to acquire theoretical knowledge of clinical research and of the psychological factors that cause and maintain mental disorders.
- You are interested in analyzing psychological problems
- You are interested in evaluating and reporting on clinical issues.