Learning outcomes:

• Graduates of this program will have a sound understanding of psychological principles and research methodologies in selected fields.
• They will be able to identify key theories and apply them to a wide variety of contemporary challenges.
• They will be able to evaluate and use research critically to inform professional practice, and to credibly design, conduct, analyze and present research that will support decisions and strategic development.
• They will be able to integrate knowledge from various sources, handle complex issues, develop solutions and make judgments on limited or incomplete information, including reflections on the implications and ethical and social responsibilities that result from those solutions and judgments.
• They will be able to use both theory and empirical evidence to advance research goals and solve new problems.
• Finally, they will approach creatively their own career development, prepared to life-long learning and to apply their knowledge and skills in new ways responding to an evolving world.

Thematic areas

For the 2023-2025 edition, the course is organized in the following Thematic Areas:

Neurocognition and Language

• is intended for graduates in the areas of Psychology, Life and Health Sciences (e.g., Biology, Pharmacy) and Linguistics who wish to conduct research in one of the topics currently being investigated by our research group at the Center for Psychology at the University of Porto. We study complex cognitive processes, such as language (including dyslexia and written composition), communication, emotion and executive function, from a neurocognitive and translational perspective.
• For more information, please see our website at http://www.fpce.up.pt/labfala/people.html

sychologie of Justice and Deviance

• is intended for graduates in the areas of Social and Human Sciences who wish to research deviant behavior addressed in its biopsychosocial complexity.
• Dissertations are elaborated with focus on one of the following areas:
a) comprehensive/explanatory of the drug phenomenon in urban context and sex work;
b) interventions oriented to risk reduction and harm minimization; c) policies in the fields of drugs and sex work.

Child Development Psychology and Education: Child Protection and Rights

The thematic area of Child Protection and Rights is aimed at graduates and professionals in the areas of social and human sciences (psychology, social work, sociology, law, education, health, amongst others) with interests in the field of Child Protection and Rights. This thematic area focuses on research and intervention issues on protecting children at risk and danger and promoting their rights. It analyses children's experience, needs, and developmental trajectories, from a multidisciplinary perspective, focusing on issues related to parents and professionals in the area of protection, studying the family system and the contexts of foster and institutional care. It is a thematic area of Applied Research. Master's students will be involved in ongoing research projects in the Development and Education (DE) Group of the Psychology Centre of the University of Porto (CPUP; https://sigarra.up.pt/fpceup/pt/web_base.gera_pagina?p_pagina=CPUP_DE for their thesis project.

This master’s course on the thematic area of Child Protection and Rights is part of the European Network of Masters in Children's Rights (ENMCR - European Network of Masters in Children’s Rights). Classes are in Portuguese. Graduates from this Master Course will be competent in research and intervention on children's rights and protection, in different disciplinary areas, and may take on leadership positions in the defense of children's rights, in private, public, administrative, and non-governmental organizations.

This 120 ECTS research Master Course offers students, who choose to attend only the first year, the possibility of completing a 60 ECTS post-graduate course on Protection and Rights of the Child, which is mainly focused on intervention and professional practices.