New Master’s Programme in Educational Psychology: Training Future Professionals

Abstract

The article presents main results of the project implemented within the framework of the State Contract of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation No. 05.043.12.0018 of 23 may 2014 aimed at developing a set of academic materials for the master’s programme in School Psychology. The article explains the methodological principles underlying the design of academic courses in higher education (master’s degree level) fulfilling the requirements of activity- and competency-based approaches to the professional training of psychologists for modern schools. Particular emphasis is placed on organizing the educational process in a way that ensures the formation of competencies in students necessary for their work as qualified school counselors as defined by the professional standard. The article argues that it also is appropriate to organize teaching and learning in modules given that the content of modules correspond with the key professional skills of the school psychologist. The advantages of network interaction between partner organizations for the development of professional competencies in students are described as well.

Keywords

• professional standard of the teacher-psychologist
• networking
• modular educational programme
• school psychologist competencies
• activity approach in education