The Master’s Decree in Neurosciences and Clinical and Rehabilitative Neuropsychology of the Developmental Age provides advanced theoretical and practical training on how to assess and treat neuropsychological disorders in children and teenagers (0-18 years of age).
The Course blends updated notions on neurotypical and atypical development trajectories, and focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders and congenital and acquired neurological conditions in particular. Adopting an evidence-based approach, strongly geared toward clinical practice, the Master provides skills on how to use diagnostic tools, plan rehabilitative treatments, and take over patients in multidisciplinary settings.
The Master’s attendees are trained to work in public and private healthcare contexts, offering qualified consultancy, diagnostics, and treatment services, to children, teenagers and their families.
The Master’s Decree in Neurosciences and Clinical and Rehabilitative Neuropsychology of the Developmental Age is divided into three modules: Cognitive development neurosciences (nervous system maturity, neuroimaging), Development neuropsychology (theoretical models and cognitive functional development), and Clinical neuropsychology. It focuses especially on the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of developmental, acquired and congenital disorders.
The Course includes child neurology and neuropsychiatry fundamentals, useful to understand the clinical bases on the main developmental age cases. Moreover, it emphasises neuropsychological rehabilitation and intervention techniques, consolidated through hands-on labs on assessment instruments and rehabilitation planning. The Course also comprises an internship, organized in partnership with public and private healthcare facilities, to put the competences learned into practice in actual clinical contexts.
The Master provides a comprehensive program, combining front lectures, lab activities and hands-on practice, to develop advanced neuropsychological evaluation and rehabilitation skills for developmental age patients.
The Master’s Decree in Neurosciences and Clinical and Rehabilitative Neuropsychology of the Developmental Age is addressed to graduates in Psychology (Master’s Degree or equivalent) and Medicine and Surgery, with specialization in one of the following disciplines: Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, Neurology, Physiatry, Psychiatry.
The Course trains experts in developmental age neuropsychology (0-18 years of age), ready to work in different application contexts, and provides explanatory models on typical, neurotypical and pathological neuropsychological processes, based on the latest discoveries in developmental cognitive neurosciences. Students will acquire specific knowledge to assess and treat cognitive disorders of the developmental age.
Some of the Career Paths provided by the Master include work in rehabilitation contexts, dealing with cognitive and behavioural disorders in patients diagnosed with neurodevelopmental issues (e.g. ADHD and autism), acquired neurological disorders (e.g. head trauma) or congenital disorders (e.g. epilepsy or metabolic disorders). Moreover, professionals can work in diagnostic centres and in research institutions.
The Master’s Decree in Neurosciences and Clinical and Rehabilitative Neuropsychology of the Developmental Age provides in-depth training on the following modules:
Module 1 – COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Introduction to the main cognitive neuropsychology models in the development age. Insights on cognitive functions (attention span, memory, language, executive functions) and their neurotypical/atypical trajectories.
Module 2 – CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Neuropsychological assessment of developmental-age patients: methods, tools and diagnostic procedures. Classification of the main neurodevelopmental disorders (ADHD, DSA, language disorders, ASD) acquired and congenital (epilepsy, metabolic diseases, psychopathologies, sleep disorders, brain injuries, neuromuscular diseases) and definition of clinical treatment paths.
Module 3 – PAEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY AND NEUROPSYCHIATRY
Fundamentals of neurology and neuropsychiatry in developmental-age patients. Analysis of acquired and congenital neurological disorders, with a focus on clinical, diagnostic and prognostic aspects.
Module 4 – NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation principles and techniques in developmental neuropsychological disorders. Planning and implementation of evidence-based intervention to recover and strengthen cognitive functions.
Module 5 – ASSESSMENT AND REHABILITATIVE CLINICAL AND LAB INSTRUMENTS
Hands-on sessions on neuropsychological assessment tools: test administration, scoring and interpretation. Rehabilitative techniques in simulated contexts and clinical cases.
The Master’s Decree in Neurosciences and Clinical and Rehabilitative Neuropsychology of the Developmental Age is strongly rooted in the territory, through a consolidated network of partnerships with top-level public and private institutions. Some of our partners include Research Hospitals and highly-specialized healthcare facilities, hospitals with paediatric neuropsychiatry services, and local public healthcare units.
These are flanked by a number of private and semi-private clinics, private psychology and neuropsychology practices, and multi-disciplinary clinics for developmental-age patients. Moreover, the Master works alongside many third-sector disability and development associations and institutions, offering clinical, educational and rehabilitative services. Through this far-reaching network, students can complete their internship in diverse highly-professional contexts, promoting a direct contact with clinical practice and a concrete, labour-oriented training experience.
One of the strengths of the Master’s Degree in Neurosciences and Clinical and Rehabilitative Neuropsychology of the Developmental Age is its strong practical and hands-on approach. The Course includes both theoretical lectures and a wide range of workshops and practice sessions to develop immediately useful skills in the clinical sector.
In particular, it includes neuropsychological assessment labs for developmental-age patients, where students can gain direct experience on how to use the main assessment tools, and familiarise with the administration, scoring and outcome interpretation processes. The Master offers also hands-on practice on neuropsychological rehabilitation for developmental-age patients, with experience-validated sessions to apply cognitive, neurophysiological and psychophysiological intervention techniques. Through these activities, students can try their hand at the different rehabilitative protocols, and put their theoretical knowledge into practice.
The general ranking of merit for the academic year 2026/27 will be published on the Italian page of this Master according to the timing provided in the Call.
Information
FAQ
The Course includes 304 hours of online lectures and 500 hours of internship, for a total of 60 UFC. Lessons will be held on Friday and Saturday. There will also be one intensive week (still to be defined). Lessons will be held between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm.
The internship will consist of supervised neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation activities in public and semi-private healthcare facilities. The final exam will consist of a dissertation and its presentation.
Attendance of at least 70% of the lessons is mandatory.
Unfortunately, no scholarships will be granted. Attendees with a disability (recognised by the National Healthcare System Committees) between 66% and 100%, or pursuant to Article 3(1) of Law 104 (5 February 1992) shall be fully exempted from paying the enrolment fee. However, they are still required to pay the pre-enrolment fee (Euro 31.00), the insurance policy (Euro 6.50) and the stamp duty fee (Euro 16.00) Employees of the University of Padua are also entitled to a reduced enrolment fee.
Concerning selection criteria, the Master is reserved to graduates
- In Psychology (Master’s Degree or equivalent)
- In Medicine and Surgery, specialised in the following: Paediatric Neuropsychiatry, Neurology, Physiatry, Psychiatry.