External Practical Training

ECTS Credits

30 ECTS

Level of Study

Postgraduate

Teaching semester

Autumn/Spring

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

External practical training in clinical psychology will provide students with experience as practicing psychologists through systematic supervision, self-reflection and follow-ups, and prepare students for the tasks they will meet as a working psychologist. During the training period, the students will develop an ability to analyze psychological problems and issues. In addition, the students will also improve their competence and experience regarding consultation, assessment, giving advice and assessing issues related to diagnostics, treatment and professional ethics. The students will develop an understanding of professional practice for individuals, organizations and other professions. Through this work, the students will be supervised by a psychologist employed at the placement institution, and in accordance with the guidelines set for external practical training in clinical psychology. The students can choose a practical placement area in: school and training psychology, community psychology, clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology. The clinical placement will be carried out under the direction of the department/institution and this mainly involves placements in secondary and primary healthcare services in Bergen, and the cooperating professional environments at Stavanger Hospital Trust, Førde Hospital Trust and Fonna Hospital Trust (Haugesund). The students can apply for external training at institutions in Norway or abroad following an assessment and agreement approved by the department/institution.

External practical training in clinical psychology (30 ECTS) will be carried out over 19 weeks with a 5-day work week.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

After completing the external training, the student will be able to:

• analyze and describe work tasks and practicalities related to the role that are characteristic of the work of a psychologist in the relevant training area
• analyze the relationship between research-based psychological knowledge, specific situations, exercising discretion and concrete decision-making within the relevant field of practice

Skills

Upon completion of the course, the candidate will be able to:

• apply psychological knowledge and work methods to a problem and subject area for psychological work within the field of the training

General competence

Upon completion of the course, the candidate will be able to:

• show adequate respect for people, groups and systems that comprises the work of a psychologist
• reflect on how psychological knowledge can present implications for practices
• analyze vocational and professional ethics in practice within the training area
• reflect on how the evaluation of one¿s own practices is an integrated part of the professional work of a psychologist
• reflect on how to discuss, relate to and understand the individual in a wider working context
• communicate about professional issues and measures within the subject area with other healthcare practitioners
• apply knowledge about the competence and area of responsibility of other professional groups in order to interact both interdisciplinary and interprofessionally.

Required Previous Knowledge

The student must have completed and passed all previous courses and course units in the Professional Studies Programme in Psychology.

Access to the Course

Professional Studies Programme in Psychology

Teaching and learning methods

The practical training, as well as supervision.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

• Completion of external practical training in clinical psychology, including reports written in connection with the external practical training: The supervisor is obliged to provide written feedback to the department to confirm that the supervision was carried out in adherence with the guidelines.

By the end of the training period, both the supervisor and the student must submit written evaluations of the training to the department. In addition, the supervisor will evaluate the student's practical training in line with the applicable written guidelines, and this assessment will provide the basis for the approval of the external practical training in clinical psychology.

• Participation in the training seminar on interprofessional collaborative learning (TVEPS)
• Participation in the digital seminar series to be able to link theory and practice

Compulsory coursework requirements will be assessed as Approved/Not approved.

Forms of Assessment

The student is considered to have passed the course when all compulsory teaching activities have been completed and approved.

Grading Scale

Pass/Fail

Assessment Semester

Autumn / Spring

Course Evaluation

This course is evaluated in line with procedures for participatory evaluation at the Faculty of Psychology and the quality assurance system at the University of Bergen.

Course Coordinator

Department of Clinical Psychology