The Master’s program in School Psychology trains professionals capable of operating within the complexity of the demands arising in the school context, involving students, teachers, parents, and school staff. It provides knowledge of practices and tools for psychologists working in schools and develops skills in assessment, planning, and implementation of interventions, focusing not only on addressing difficulties but especially on prevention and enhancement initiatives aimed at the entire school community.
Through the presentation of various tools, methods, and practices, the program encourages thoughtful reflection on the intersubjective, relational, and contextual mechanisms underlying possible manifestations of distress, in order to design interventions tailored to actual emerging needs. It also provides updates on both traditional and recent, innovative topics, including those related to technological development and sustainability.
The program is structured by alternating in-person lessons, online classes, and asynchronous activities designed to foster planning skills and reflective thinking through the analysis of case studies and the development of intervention plans, which will subsequently be discussed.
In-person lessons provide the opportunity to interact with instructors and encourage discussion and exchange among students. The program will begin in December with an introduction to school psychology and to the skills needed for designing school-based interventions. This will be followed by an intensive week in January, allowing for in-depth exploration of both classic topics—such as psychological distress, motivation, and organizational well-being—and more recent ones, including the mindful use of new technologies.
One module will be dedicated to strengthening skills in evaluating the effectiveness of proposed interventions. This will be followed by several asynchronous activities and a weekend session in May focused on promoting well-being and health in the physical and social environment. The program will conclude with the development of a project work, resulting in a written report that will be discussed during the final assessment.
The Master in School Psychology is addressed to psychologists interested in working in schools, or who are already working in this context, and who wish to improve their skills, by acquiring planning elements, tools, new competences and updates, both on classic and on recent and current topics.
Before the start of the course, a Master’s or five-year Degree in Psychology (LM-51) are required. Typical career opportunities include working as school psychologist, by gaining access to the selection calls periodically issued by the Headmasters to tackle the growing and emerging needs of students, professors, school staff and parents. Those calls can only be accessed with a specific degree, and the Project Work implemented as on-hands training experience could be the chance to network and launch or strengthen a partnership with school institutions.
Module 1: INTRODUCTION
An overview of school psychology will be provided, with particular reference to the Italian context, exploring key theoretical models, developmental challenges, communication within schools, and educational legislation.
Module 2: PREVENTION AND PROMOTION
Up-to-date knowledge will be offered, along with tools and intervention models aimed at:
Preventing psychological distress
Promoting well-being and motivation
Fostering networking and collaborative work
Module 3: ENHANCEMENT
Opportunities will be provided to deepen knowledge of tools and methods for development in the following areas:
Emotions and emotional regulation
Inclusion and strategic development
New technologies: limits and potential
Soft skills: fostering creativity, resilience, decision-making skills, and critical thinking
Module 4: WELL-BEING
Proposals will be developed for promoting psycho-physical well-being, also in relation to the environmental context:
School environment and well-being
Physical activity, sleep, and health
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
Certainly. The program concludes with the discussion of a final assessment based on the project work and leads to the awarding of the Master’s Diploma in School Psychology, which qualifies holders to participate in public calls and may constitute one of the possible admission requirements,
There will be 5 synchronous online lessons and 20 blended activities according to the course schedule outlined in the program brochure. Each blended activity, conducted remotely, includes: (a) a brief presentation by the instructor of the task, which may involve problem-solving, a case study, the development of a project, or critical reflection on a topic; (b) completion of the task; (c) feedback.
No, there is not. Instead, a project work is required on a topic agreed upon with the Master’s Director. It consists of developing an action research project to be implemented in school settings and whose effectiveness will be evaluated. It may be carried out individually or in groups and will form part of the final assessment.
For inquiries, you can write to angelica.moe@unipd.it or master.psicologiascolastica@unipd.it.
The lessons will take place in Padua, via Venezia 12 at Psico2.