The clinical psychology programme focuses on psychological (emotional, biological, cognitive,
social, and behavioral) aspects of human functioning in varying socioeconomic, clinical, and cultural
groups and different age groups. The aim of clinical psychology is to enable graduates to
understand, predict, and treat or alleviate disorders, disabilities, or any kind of mental maladjustment. To achieve this, a variety of clinical competencies are employed, including psychological assessment, formulation of problems, and treatment competencies. Additionally, the discipline aims to equip graduates with skills for the prevention of mental health conditions and promote human adaptation, adjustment, and personal development. Clinical psychology is inherently an area of applied research that transfers findings into practice. It refers to direct work with clients and indirect work through other professionals, carers, and policy-related engagements. Clinical psychologists are involved in research, teaching and supervision, program development and evaluation, consultation, public policy, professional practice, and other activities that promote psychological health in individuals, families, groups, and organizations. Clinical psychology practitioners work directly with individuals at all developmental levels (infants to older adults), as well as with groups (families, patients of similar psychopathology, and organizations), using a wide range of assessment and intervention methods to promote mental health and to alleviate discomfort and maladjustment. Clinical Psychologists work in individual practice, mental health service units, managed health care organizations, counseling centers, and different departments in hospitals, schools, universities, industry, legal systems, medical systems, and government agencies.
The programme is designed to enable students to acquire:
Knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, and intervene in alleviating psychological disorders and problems in living,
The foundations for psychotherapy include the use of appropriate methods of individual and group therapy, as well as applying both standard and brief solution-focused approaches to meet the needs of one’s clients or patients. Therapists work through awareness of the values and ethics of such treatment
The practical techniques in client understanding, empathy, and unconditional positive regard which skills include:
Developing a client-therapist rapport that facilitates openness and confidentiality,
Sensitivity to client defenses and resistances developed to protect the client from undue stress and withdrawal,
Freeing the client’s personal strength and coping skills to develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships within his/her social environment and in society,
Involving family members and significant others in the therapeutic process with the client’s agreement when such interactions are appropriate and conducive to client growth and development.
Each course in the program will stress the attitudes, professional ethics, and values requisite for a clinical psychologist. A core course in Professional Studies will be taken in the first Semester.
The knowledge and training to facilitate the development of clinical awareness and skills among colleagues and other professionals
The training and experience in self-evaluation and need for continuous knowledge development to enable life-long professional development.
Not specified in the source prospectus.
Clinical psychologists are qualified professionals who provide direct services to clients needing help with mental or behavioral issues. The clinical role of psychologists as health providers is diverse with the varying areas of care giving (primary, secondary, and tertiary care) and a variety of subspecialties. Overall, psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat psychological problems and the behavioral dysfunctions resulting from or related to physical and mental health. In addition, they play a major role in promoting healthy behavior, preventing diseases, and improving patients’ quality of life. They perform their clinical roles according to rigorous ethical principles and the code of conduct. As such, clinical psychologists may work in a variety of settings, including refugee and other war-affected populations, hospitals and other health care settings, schools and rehabilitation centers, and with the general population, offering counseling and psychotherapy for various mental health conditions. Living in a world where war, natural catastrophes, poverty, and inequality are pervasive, the need for clinical psychology services continues to increase daily.
Not specified in the source prospectus.
The target group for recruitment into the course includes graduates of community psychology; health professionals (e.g. medical doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.); other professionals e.g. teachers, members of the armed forces (police, army and prison wardens); religious workers (e.g. priests, sheiks, mullahs, pastors, and nuns); humanitarian workers (e.g. those working with special needs groups such as refugees, street children, in rehabilitation centers (e.g. centers for rehabilitation of alcohol and drug addicts, individuals with disabilities] etc.).
2 years (programme listing)
Not specified in the source prospectus.
Prospective students for the MSc in Clinical Psychology programme must meet the following eligibility criteria:
A second class or higher honors degree from Makerere University or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. Candidates with majors in psychology or who graduated from it. The Bachelor of Community Psychology Program of Makerere University will be preferred during the selection process.
A person with a degree in Medicine, Social Work, or other compatible undergraduate courses who has obtained at least a second-class honors degree can be considered for admission to the program, provided they undertake pre-requisite make-up courses offered at the undergraduate level needed for one to proceed to the postgraduate level Clinical Psychology program.
All applicants who have the minimum academic qualification for the Course in MSc Clinical Psychology will be subjected to oral and written interviews, and only successful candidates during the interviews will be admitted to the MSC in Clinical Psychology program.
Admission to other years/Credit transfers and exemptions: Credit transfers and exemptions can only be made during the first year of training, and in any case, the student so admitted must have been in an accredited institution of learning with equivalent courses.
Not specified in the source prospectus.