Colombo Institute of Research & Psychology - CIRP - MSc in Applied Psychology (Child and Adolescent Practice)

Course Overview

Child and Adolescent Psychology is a specialty in applied psychology that uses a broad range of techniques to support and guide children and teenagers improve their well-being, academic performance, prevent and alleviate distress caused by negative childhood experiences, emotional distress due to family conflicts and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better in their future

Child and Adolescent psychologists support cognitive, social and moral development and functioning across childhood and are equipped to provide therapeutic support in learning difficulties, behavioral problems and emotional issues.

MSc in Applied Psychology (Child and Adolescent Practice)

This is a master’s level qualification designed to train Child and Adolescent psychologists who are able to work with children and teenagers and their families and school. Upon completing the program successfully and a period of supervised training you will gain the competency and confidence to provide psychological services to those who seek help.

Modules of the program covers both academic and practitioner aspects to provide the required knowledge as well as the counseling and therapeutic skills.

Developed by a panel of eminent psychologists and directors of postgraduate psychology program in UK universities, the curriculum matches international standards as well as the requirements of the local context.

What do Child and Adolescent psychologists do?

Child and Adolescent psychologists work with children and teenagers supporting in following areas

1. Learning disorders & Special learning needs

2. Managing anxiety and fears such as phobias

3. Substance and behavioral addictions of teenagers

4. Negative effects of parental issues

5. Issues with social interaction & moral development

6. Adverse effects of family events such as divorce

7. Psychological conditions such as Autism & ADHD

8. Effects of Traumatic Events & abuse

9. Issues with academic motivation and performance

10. Adapting to new environments

11. Anger and emotional control

12. Eating disorders of teenagers

13. Delinquency & anti-social behaviors

14. Career counseling

15. School Counseling

16. Speech and communication disorders  

How is this program delivered?

Program includes acquisition of knowledge as well as practitioner skills. Knowledge is delivered through different face to face teaching techniques such as lectures, small group discussions, tutorials and seminars.

Practitioner skill acquisition is through workshop, case study discussions and supervised training. Certain amount of supervised training will take place during the program, however it is a must that students obtain sufficient supervised training before they start independent practice.

Why is supervised training important?

Becoming a Child and Adolescent psychologist requires one to acquire sophisticated mental, inter-personal and communication skills to prevent any form of harm to the clients or the psychologist him/her self. Therefore a properly organized and supervised training is a must for anyone  interested in practicing as a Child and Adolescent psychologist.

Anyone who doesn’t meet the required number of supervised training hours will not be able to obtain any form of licensing in Sri Lanka or abroad.  CIRP provides opportunities for it’s students to obtain supervised training within the program and also after completing the qualification.

Why is MSc in  Child and Adolescent Psychology at CIRP is popular?

1. Elective modules that provide students to gain skills in particular areas of Child and Adolescent psychology.

2. Excellent curriculum designed to match global standards, we welcome any potential student to compare the content before signing up to make an informed decision.

3. Teaching and Training by over 5 visiting professors from UK universities and top Sri Lankan psychologists.

4. Training provided at CIRP’s own therapeutic center and in collaboration with other hospitals and private clinics.

5. Strong track record of postgraduate training in Psychology over a decade, graduating over a thousand students with masters.