Doctoral Programme in Psychology

About the Programme

The basic mission of the Doctoral Programme in Psychology is to contribute to the intellectual, social, cultural, and economic development of the community. This will be achieved by raising the level of education of psychologists and related experts, through conducting significant scientific, developmental, and applied research, by providing training for lifelong learning and investment in professional development, by stimulating the increased mobility of psychologists and ideas within Croatia and Europe, and by improving the psychological health of the community in general. The fundamental component of this programme is to advance knowledge through the creation and implementation of original research. This enables candidates to develop key research skills such as problem solving, innovation, creative and critical thinking, the analysis and synthesis of knowledge and the development of strategies. It also enables the development of generic skills such as communication skills, presentation, teamwork, and a wide range of other social skills. The primary goal of this doctoral programme is to contribute to the development of the region, but also to the Republic of Croatia as a whole, through its research activity. The uniqueness and distinctiveness of the Doctoral Programme in Psychology at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka is reflected in the application of the following principles: 

• choice and dedicated research focus, 
• student and staff mobility, 
• interdisciplinarity, 
• collaborativeness, 
• partnership with the local community. 

Competences acquired and possibilities for employment: 

Upon completing their studies, candidates will student acquire the highest level (8th) competences according to the Croatian Qualifications Framework (CQF). These relate to the creation and evaluation of new facts in the field of scientific research, which leads to pushing the boundaries of knowledge. They also develop social skills, independence, and responsibility at work.  

The specific and generic skills that doctoral students will acquire upon completion of the doctoral programme are: 

• Research skills (literature searches, critical reading and detection of bias, interviewing skills, construction of measuring instruments), 
• Project planning and management skills (scientific research drafts, carrying out research, timely detection of potential problems, determination of necessary funds, management of the research team), 
• Statistical knowledge and reasoning skills (knowledge of I.T. and the appropriate software, knowledge of statistical analyses, statistical reasoning skills, ability to draw conclusions based on quantitative data), 
• Writing and reporting skills (speaking and listening skills, ability to present data and findings to a non-expert audience), 
• Teaching skills, including the monitoring and evaluation of students, 
• Skills in the expression of personal professional and ethical positions, 
• Willingness to assume ethical and social responsibility when conducting research, for the social usefulness of research results and for the possible consequences, 
• Readiness to face new challenges of society and economy. 

This doctoral programme primarily provides the basis for the development of an academic career, but also for professional development in the fields of industry, economy, public sector, non-governmental organizations, etc. Doctor of Science can be employed at universities, polytechnics, institutes, health institutions, companies, i.e., at those places where the need to create new knowledge or new methods is a priority of an institution’s development. The Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, VIPnet doo, Pliva Hrvatska doo, Nexe grupa dd and Adris grupa dd, the City of Rijeka and the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County have shown interest in this doctoral programme. In addition to the specific skills that candidates acquire after the programme, candidates will also be prepared for new challenges offered by society and the economy, and will contribute to improving society as a whole with their creative work.