Psychology, Specialisation in Clinical Psychology

Course Coordination

João Manuel Castro Faria Salgado

​jsalgado@umaia.pt

Timetable

Thursdays (from 6.15 pm) and Fridays (9.15 am–6.15 pm).​

​Duration

4 years on a full-time basis. Option to study part-time (6 years).

Description

This PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Maia has an innovative format within the national context, being the first PhD programme in this field in Portugal based on the ‘scientist-practitioner’ model, a model established in the USA and Canada and also practised in the UK. It aims to prepare highly qualified professionals capable of delivering practice of excellence, complemented by research activity (research-informed practice).

The key features of this doctoral programme are:

1. Advanced training, practice and supervision in psychotherapy. ​At this level, the following are highlighted:
• Advanced training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy
• Clinical supervision of cases in these therapies
• Advanced complementary training
2. Applied research, with a particular focus on topics related to clinical practice (research-informed practice). Highlights include
• Training and practice in research methods
• Participation in ongoing research projects and research seminars
• Development of an original thesis
3. A national and international teaching staff of excellence in the fields of research and clinical practice
4. Option to study full-time (4 years) or part-time (5 or 6 years)​

This doctoral programme will train specialists in the field of Clinical Psychology, building on the training acquired during the first and second cycles of study in Clinical Psychology (or by holders of pre-Bologna Bachelor’s degrees specialising in Clinical Psychology). In order to ensure the homogeneity and competence of the cohort, prior experience in the field is required; therefore, applications will be accepted from candidates with the following qualifications:

• ​Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and, in addition, a Master’s degree in Psychology specialising in Clinical Psychology or a similar field;
• Holders of an Integrated Master’s degree, specialising in Clinical Psychology or a similar field;
• Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, comprising at least 300 ECTS credits, specialising in Clinical Psychology or a similar field, recognised by the Scientific Council as demonstrating the ability to undertake a PhD, upon the proposal of the Coordinator and after consultation with the Scientific and Pedagogical Committee;
• Holders of an academic, professional or scientific background of particular relevance, recognised by the Scientific Council, upon the proposal of the Coordinator and after consultation with the Scientific and Pedagogical Committee, as demonstrating the ability to undertake this cycle of studies.
• Doctors undertaking a specialisation in Psychiatry, or who have already completed such a specialisation in Psychiatry.

Inspired in the ‘scientist-practitioner’ model, also known as Boulder model, this study cycle aims to provide: 

1. Advanced training of psychotherapists in empirically supported models, namely in Cognitive-Behavioural therapy and Emotion-Focused Therapy, enriched by narrative and dialogical approaches 
2. The development of knowledges and research skills applied to the practice of clinical psychology, specially in the scope of research in psychotherapy.
   

 Distinctive features of the course: 

• It is the only PhD programme in Psychology in Portugal that simultaneously provides advanced training, practice and supervision in psychotherapy; 
• It is one of the few PhD programmes in the world that provide training in Emotion-Focused Therapy; 
• Research activity is applied to practice, with a special focus on psychotherapy; 
• Academic staff comprises national and international renowned researchers in the field of clinical research and practice, including Prof. William Stiles (President of Division 29 of APA in 2013);  
• It offers students the possibility of attending the course full-time (4 years) or part-time (5-6 years); 
• Students can be integrated in UMAIA's Research Laboratory in Psychotherapy, integrated in the ‘Centre for Psychology at University of Porto’, recently classified as ‘Excellent’ by the Foundation for Science and Technology.​
  

Doctoral Thesis

Two general formats are accepted for the thesis:

1. ​a set of articles submitted (minimum of 3, with at least 1 accepted) to international peer-reviewed journals, with a clear introduction that brings all the articles together and an original conclusion;
2. a ‘traditional’ dissertation, of 150 to 200 pages, double-spaced, comprising an in-depth literature review, empirical studies and a final conclusion.

Can I receive credit?

Credit may be awarded for studies undertaken as part of other degree-awarding higher education programmes at national or foreign higher education institutions, whether completed under the framework of the Bologna Process or prior to that.​

• Application Phase 1: 14 July to 29 July 2025
• Application Phase 2: 15 September to 30 September 2025
• Application Phase 3: 16 October to 31 October 2025

The following documents must be submitted as part of the application process:

• ​A passport-sized photograph
• Academic qualifications
• Curriculum Vitae
• Proposal for a PhD project in the field of Clinical Psychology, in accordance with the template provided, accompanied by a preliminary assessment from the supervisor (see separate template)

Preparing the Project Proposal

Applicants are strongly advised to contact one of the doctoral programme’s academic staff to obtain guidance on how to prepare this proposal and to receive guidance throughout the process.

If you require any prior advice, you may arrange a meeting with the Doctoral Programme Coordinator (Prof. João Salgado), who will be able to clarify these and any other queries.

How to apply?

Once all the necessary documents have been gathered, the application must be submitted online

Selection and ranking of candidates

1. Candidates will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
• Curriculum Vitae
  
• Doctoral project proposal (in accordance with the template provided)
• Interview
2. The PhD project proposals submitted by candidates must be linked to a supervisor who must give a positive recommendation. To this end, candidates are asked to make prior contact with the Programme Coordinator  (Prof. João Salgado),​ and the intended supervisor
3. The selection panel will select and rank candidates based on the following criteria:
1. Academic background;
2. Research experience;
3. Professional experience and its relevance;​

Registry​

Publication in the Official Gazette

​Official Gazette, 2nd Series n.º 252,- Notice n.º 24128/2021 of 30 December 2021.

Accreditation of the Study Program