The best training for psychologists: universities, masters and courses
The degree in Psychology is one of the most attractive and in demand at present , but also one of the most demanding when it comes to finding work. That is why receiving the best teaching and continuous training are essential to be able to practice professionally with the best guarantees.
Although many people associate the figure of the psychologist with that of the psychotherapist (expert in psychological therapy), there are many specialties in this discipline: sports psychology, educational psychology, organizational psychology, etc.
- The fields in which Psychology can be applied are quite broad as you can see in our article: “The 12 branches (or fields) of Psychology”
Best Training in Psychology
For those who are thinking of studying psychology or are psychologists and wish to receive post-graduate training, in this article we have prepared a list of Masters, courses and universities in which to receive the best training .
Let’s start with the best colleges.
Best Colleges to Study Psychology
Those who are thinking of studying the Degree in Psychology, surely ask themselves: “which are the best university institutions to carry out the training in this discipline?
In the following lines you can find a list of the best colleges to study the Psychology Degree .
1. Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM)
According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015, the best university to study psychology in Spain is the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , which is in the 101-151 range of the best universities in the world in this field. The UAM has more than 40 years of experience in organizing and teaching psychology studies and is located in the capital of Spain, Madrid.
2. Complutense University of Madrid (UCM)
Another university located in Madrid, the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), is the second best university to study Psychology . It also appears in the range 101-151 but a few places below.
As for the Degree in Psychology, it has 2000 students per course and offers professional practices in more than 300 centres. It has nine specialization itineraries and 60 places for the bilingual modality (Spanish and English)
3. University of Barcelona (UB)
The University of Barcelona is one of the best university institutions in the city of Barcelona and is in the 101-151 range, so, like the previous ones, it is of the highest quality. Moreover, it is the first university of Psychology in the I-UGR ranking based on research published in international journals.
The Psychology Degree is taught in Mundet, one of the most peaceful areas of the city and surrounded by vegetation.
4. Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)
Another prestigious university located in and around Barcelona is the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) which is also in the 101-151 range of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015. In fact, its main campus is located on the outskirts of the city, and is called Bellaterra. It is an institution that offers quality education and has a great interest in research. In addition to the Degree in Psychology, this university is well known for its wide range of Masters and Postgraduate courses.
5. University of Valencia (UV)
The University of Valencia is also well known and deservedly appears in this list . It is in the 151-200 range of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015, and this is due to the quality of its teaching system. The Degree in Psychology is one of the best valued in the Spanish territory, and this institution has Masters that enjoy great prestige.
If you want to know the “top 10” Spanish universities to study this career, you can do it in our article: “The 10 best universities to study Psychology in Spain”.
Best Psychology Courses
The competition that exists in the world of work requires continuous and updated training. In addition to the Masters in Psychology, it is also possible to take training courses that provide quality knowledge. Among the best courses in Psychology, the following stand out .
Stress Management for Managers (TAP Center)
- Education center : TAP center
- Location : Madrid
Centro TAP is a psychology and training centre located in the North of Madrid that develops several courses adapted to the needs of the business world and organizations.
In this course, Centro TAP’s psychology professionals teach the keys to stress management applied in work teams, a fundamental process to be able to perform professionally in contexts where efficiency and competitiveness make good planning and use of time and resources necessary, as well as the ability to keep procrastination, paralyzing perfectionism and other ways in which stress and anxiety can hinder progress.
- For TAP Center contact details, click here.
2. Specialization Course in Integrated Psychotherapy of Personality Disorders (University of Deusto)
- Education centre : University of Deusto
- Location : Bilbao
The University of Deusto, together with the Foundation for Research in Psychotherapy and Personality (FUNDIPP) and the OMIE Foundation , offers this course aimed at psychologists who wish to acquire advanced knowledge of different personality disorders.
This is a semi-attendance training action, which gives access to a university degree, and aims to train participants for a better understanding of this type of pathology, while providing them with the ideal context to put everything they have learned into practice.
3. University Expert in Child Neuropsychology (University of Málaga)
- Education centre : University of Málaga
- Location : Malaga
Few courses are taught in our country on child neuropsychology . But the University of Málaga offers the opportunity to specialize in this field. The aim of the program, therefore, is to train future professionals in neuropsychology who are capable of carrying out their professional work with the best guarantees.
For this purpose, it has a select group of teachers, all of them experts in neuropsychological clinics, who offer all their knowledge about the advances in the areas of assessment and intervention. In this way, students gain in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to carry out good professional work.
4. Course of Expert in Emotional Intelligence in working environments (University Jaume I)
- Educational center : University Jaume I
- Location : Castellón
As we have already seen, EQ is one of the most important concepts in behavioural science in recent years, bringing benefits in many areas of application. The world of organizations is not an exception, and workers and companies can benefit from its implementation.
The mission of this Master’s degree is to make students experts in Emotional Intelligence in the workplace and in organizations , because as the studies state, emotionally intelligent workers perform better, face difficult situations better, provide better customer service, are more satisfied and communicate better.
5. Grief, Loss and Trauma Intervention Course (IPIR)
- Educational center : IPIR Institute
- Location : Various
The loss of a loved one is one of the worst experiences a human being can go through. But this process is not only a challenge for the person who lives it in his or her own flesh, but also for the professionals who care for them.
Grief therapy requires specialised psychologists in this field, who have the necessary tools and experience to be able to cover the needs of the patients. This quality training is one of the best that can be undertaken. It consists of three levels, and it is possible to attend its courses in different cities in Spain.
6. Certificate in Attention Disorders (ADHD): Identification, Evaluation and Treatment (University of Valencia)
- Centre : University of Valencia
- Location : Valencia
ADHD is one of the most common neurological disorders, with a prevalence of between 5% and 10% of the population of children and young people, and for many students it becomes a problem.
At the University of Valencia it is possible to study the Certificate in Attention Disorders (ADHD): Identification, Evaluation and Treatment, which gives students the opportunity to acquire practical skills to diagnose and treat those affected by ADHD.
In the training program, the bases of this condition are reviewed both on a theoretical and practical level, since the students learn to use tools and instruments specifically designed for intervention in this problem.
In addition to these courses, there is a wide range of free training in psychology. If you want to know it, you can find it in our article: “The 25 best free online courses in Psychology (2017)”.
Best Masters in Psychology
There is a wide range of Master’s courses in the discipline of Psychology, as there are many specialities. The best postgraduate training is …
1. Master in Emotional Intelligence and Intervention in Emotions and Health (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)
- Centre : Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- Field : Clinical and Health Psychology
- Location : Madrid
- Duration : 2 courses
- Price : 6.000
The paradigm of Emotional Intelligence (EI) has become very important in recent times because of the benefits it brings in different fields of psychology: work, sport, school and health and the clinic. Scientific studies conclude that EI improves people’s productivity and mental well-being.
Despite the fact that few postgraduate studies related to this subject are taught in Spain, the Master’s Degree in Emotional Intelligence and Intervention in Emotions and Health at the Complutense University of Madrid has been training psychologists in this specialty for more than 15 years.
It is an eminently practical master’s degree (with internal and external practices) and is oriented within the cognitive-behavioral framework . The practical sessions are carried out in the most important health centres of this community.
2. Master in Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Care (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)
- Centre : Universidad Complutense de Madrid
- Field : Clinical and Health Psychology
- Location : Madrid
- Duration : 2 courses
- Price : 5.476
The Master in Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Care is the best in its speciality , and aims to offer competent training for psychologists, so that they can evaluate the psychological needs of people affected by cancer and, in this way, be able to find the best treatment to improve their well-being.
With more than 350 practical hours, which are carried out in hospitals and specialized centers, it has a practical orientation. Its methodology focuses on direct intervention on the patient, the relatives, and the care of specialized health personnel. The individual supervision of the tutors, who also guide and orient the student, is one of the attractions of this training. It lasts 700 hours and costs 5,476 euros.
3. Interuniversity Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology-MIPE-(various universities)
- Center : UAB, UB, UG and URL
- Field : Educational Psychology
- Location : Barcelona and Girona
- Duration : 2 courses
- Price : Contact the administration
The MIPE is the best Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology in Spain , with the participation of several Catalan universities: the University of Barcelona, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the University of Girona and the Ramon Llull University. It provides students with valuable theoretical and practical knowledge about education and its psychological foundations
Its program proposes two specialties to better adapt to differentiated student profiles: Psychoeducational Intervention and Psychoeducational Research. This training also includes an Inter-University Doctorate in Educational Psychology.
4. Master’s Degree in Neuropsychology and Behavioural Neurology (UAB)
- Centre : Autonomous University of Barcelona
- Field : Neuropsychology.
- Location : Barcelona
- Duration : 2 courses
- Price : 11.880
This Master’s degree allows students to gain a deeper understanding of the functioning of the brain and the location and structure of the different parts that make it up, as well as the way in which some diseases degrade nerve tissues. Likewise, delves into the impact that these diseases have on people’s behaviour and offers advanced training in neuropsychology to achieve professional excellence in neuropsychological diagnosis and rehabilitation.
It admits both Psychology and Medical students, and has an extension of 120 ECTS credits.
5. Erasmus Mundus Interuniversity Master’s Degree in the Psychology of Work, Organizations and Human Resources (WOP-P)
- Center : Miscellaneous
- Field : Organizational Psychology
- Location : Various
- Duration : 2 courses
- Price : 5.200
The Master WOP is the best postgraduate training in the field of Psychology of organizations and work . It belongs to the Erasmus Mundus program, and therefore several universities participate in the delivery of the training: Universidad de Valencia, Universidad de Barcelona, Università di Bologna (Italy), Universidade de Coimbra (Portugal), Université René Descartes Paris V (France), University of Guelph (Canada) and Universidade de Brasilia (Brazil).
It is undoubtedly the best option to develop research skills and to expand knowledge and improve professional skills to realize the full potential in the world of organizational psychology. The classes are taught in English, so a good command of this language is required both written and spoken. In addition, students must choose two universities: their home university and another one where they must take the mandatory one-semester mobility.