MASTER'S PROGRAM IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (APPLIED ORIENTATION)

Issued pursuant to Decision No. 1486/QD-XHNV dated March 19, 2026, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities

PART I: GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM

1. Some information about the training program

- Program name:

+ Vietnamese name: Clinical Psychology

+ English name: Clinical Psychology

- Name of the training program:

+ Vietnamese name: Clinical Psychology

+ English name: Clinical Psychology

- Training program code: 8310402

- Language of instruction:Vietnamese

- Level of training:Master's degree

- Training duration:2 years

- Name of the degree awarded after graduation:

+ Vietnamese: Master's degree in Clinical Psychology

+ English: The Degree of Master in Clinical Psychology

2. Objectives of the training program

2.1. General Objectives

The Master's program in Applied Clinical Psychology aims to train highly qualified clinical practitioners with in-depth professional knowledge, skills, and professional ethics in assessing and intervening for individuals with psychological difficulties. These professionals will be capable of practicing relatively independently or under professional supervision in healthcare facilities, mental health care centers, schools, counseling centers, social organizations, and other psychological service providers, meeting the growing societal demand for mental health care.

2.2. Specific Objectives

- Specific Objective 1(O1): Equip and guide learners to complete, supplement, and update their in-depth knowledge system in the field of Clinical Psychology, including: Theoretical basis and theoretical system of clinical pathology; Principles and methods of psychological assessment; Approaches to psychological intervention for adults, adolescents, and children. At the same time, learners will be able to analyze, integrate, and apply this knowledge to solve complex clinical problems in the context of Vietnamese practice.

- Specific Objective 2(O2): Equip and guide learners to perfect and develop in-depth professional skills, including: Skills in identifying symptoms and differentiating symptoms in various syndromes; Skills in evaluating psychopathological problems; Skills in intervening and providing psychological support to individuals, groups, and communities using diverse therapeutic approaches worldwide. Simultaneously, learners will be able to select, adapt, and coordinate intervention methods appropriate to client characteristics, socio-cultural context, and professional practice conditions; and will have the capacity to practice evidence-based clinical psychology.

- Specific Objective 3(O3): Cultivate and develop personal ethics, professional ethics, and social ethics; possess the capacity for autonomy in professional activities, take responsibility for professional decisions and intervention results; have the ability to self-learn, continuously develop professionally, and cooperate effectively with stakeholders in the field of mental health care.

3. Admission Information

3.1. Admission methods:Admission is based on the regulations of Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-Hanoi).

3.2. Eligibility Criteria

3.2.1. Educational requirements

- Must have graduated from a university with a relevant degree. If the candidate needs to take supplementary courses, they must complete them before applying.

- Candidates with a university degree classified as "good" must have at least one year of work experience; those with a university degree classified as "less than good" must have at least two years of work experience in the field of practice, research, teaching psychology, and clinical psychology.

- Diplomas issued by foreign educational institutions must undergo recognition procedures in accordance with the current regulations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

3.2.2. Regarding foreign language proficiency

- Possess foreign language proficiency (meeting the requirements for one of the following languages: English, Russian, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean) at level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam. Foreign language proficiency can be demonstrated through one of the following diplomas or certificates:

+ A university degree or higher in a foreign language; or a university degree or higher where the program is primarily conducted in a foreign language;

+ A university degree or higher awarded by Vietnam National University, Hanoi, within the last two years, where the program's output meets the requirements of level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam;

+ A foreign language proficiency certificate equivalent to level 3 or higher according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam, or equivalent, valid for 2 years from the date of the foreign language exam to the date of signing the master's entrance exam, issued by institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education and Training and Vietnam National University, Hanoi. The head of the training unit or the Rector of the University of Foreign Languages ​​will assess and be responsible for the authenticity of foreign language certificates issued by foreign organizations before recognizing them as equivalent;

- Applicants who are foreign citizens must have a Vietnamese language proficiency level of 4/6 or higher according to the Vietnamese Language Proficiency Framework for Foreigners, or have graduated from a university (or equivalent qualification or higher) where the training program was taught in Vietnamese; and meet the requirements for a second foreign language as stipulated by the training program (if any).

3.2.3. Other conditions

- Has a clean personal record and is not currently under criminal investigation.

- I am healthy enough to study.

- Meet other requirements of VNU.

3.3. List of suitable industries

- The field of study is within the same group as the field of training.

- The field of study is defined in the training program standards issued by the Ministry of Education and Training.

- For cases where there are no established training program standards for the corresponding field or group of disciplines, the specialized unit must have a scientific and practical basis, determined by the Scientific and Training Council of the specialized unit and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, to identify the discipline with the closest professional foundation to the training program and determine the corresponding supplementary courses (if needed); report to VNU before enrollment and be responsible for this professional evaluation.

3.4. Projected enrollment size

According to the quota allocated annually by Vietnam National University, Hanoi (expected 25-30 students/year).

The detailed admission plan is implemented according to the Admission Regulations, the annual postgraduate admission guidelines of VNU, and the unit's admission plan approved by VNU (if any).

PART II: LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM

1. Knowledge Output Standards

PLO 1:Analyze theoretical and practical issues in your professional field based on knowledge of philosophical worldview and methodology.

PLO 2:Analyze the psychopathological aspects in children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly; identify normal psychological phenomena and mental illnesses.

PLO 3:Analyze the nature of clinical evaluation, evaluation models, psychometric indicators of clinical scales/tests, methods of conducting, processing and interpreting results of these methods, and how to write clinical evaluation reports.

PLO 4:An evaluation of approaches, therapies, and intervention techniques, including the advantages, limitations, and evidence for each intervention.

PLO 5:Applying knowledge of psychopathology, understanding clinical assessment, and knowledge of interventions and prevention of mental health for individuals, groups, and communities.

PLO 6:Evaluate the theoretical framework and research related to the clinical case presented in the graduation project.

PLO 7:Applying theoretical frameworks and scientific evidence to explain, analyze, and characterize the psychological problems of clients in clinical cases.

PLO 8:Justifying the psychological intervention options, along with the professional and ethical aspects drawn from the clinical case.

2. Skill Output Standards

PLO 9:Proficiently apply skills in data identification, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to effectively shape and manage clinical cases.

PLO 10:Practice in planning, implementing, and preventing mental health problems for individuals, groups, and communities.

PLO 11:Develop skills in communicating knowledge in clinical psychology.

PLO 12:Develop skills in organizing and managing professional activities effectively.

PLO 13:Proficiency in one of the following foreign languages ​​is required: English, Russian, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, or Korean, at level B2, equivalent to level 4 according to the 6-level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam.

3. Output standards regarding autonomy and responsibility.

PLO 14:Demonstrating social responsibility in the practice of psychology.

PLO 15:Adhere to the ethical principles of the psychology profession.

PLO 16:To be independent in drawing professional conclusions in clinical psychological assessment and intervention; to be accountable for one's professional decisions.

4. Job positions that students can take on after graduation.

Graduates of the Master's program in Clinical Psychology can take on the following job positions:

- Practicing psychological examination, assessment, and intervention at hospitals, medical facilities, and psychological support and counseling centers;

- Prevention, assessment, and intervention for school-related psychological problems;

- Providing counseling on mental health issues to individuals, families, and communities;

- Responsible for community-based mental health prevention;

- Conducting psychological assessments.

5. Opportunities for further learning and professional development after graduation.

- Capable of independently researching and solving problems that arise during practical work at the training facility.

- Capable of self-learning and independent research on practical and theoretical issues related to the field of clinical psychology.

- There are opportunities to pursue higher education (doctorate) in psychology to become experts and scientists in their field of study.

PART III: TRAINING PROGRAM CONTENT

Note:One credit is equivalent to 50 hours of student-standard learning, including time spent observing lectures, guided lessons, self-study, research, experiences, and participating in tests and assessments; for classroom teaching activities, one credit requires a minimum of 15 hours of lectures or 30 hours of practical work, experiments, and discussions, with one classroom hour counted as 50 minutes.

(1): Theory

(2): Practice, Experiment, Discussion

(3): Internship, Research, Self-study with assessment