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Developmental Psychology & Psychopathology MSc

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You will develop knowledge about the genetic and environmental causes of typical and atypical psychological development, the standard psychological therapies and treatments available, and research methods and statistics relevant to this field. The course will provide you with both research and clinical focus. Benefit from comprehensive coverage of the field exploring how biological (genetic), behavioural and cognitive processes, along with family and wider social forces, can affect typical and atypical development. The course is ideal if you plan to work/are working in mental health with young people, plan to study for a PhD, or if you are looking to progress to the DClinPsy. Placements and clinical observations are available.

Key benefits

  • Learn how to characterise typical and atypical behaviours across the life span.
  • Learn how to identify, describe, and manage behavioural traits in common disorders such as Autism and ADHD.
  • Become familiar with the latest scientific results and debates surrounding the “nature and nurture” of psychological and psychopathological conditions.
  • Become skilled in using state-of-the-art research methods skills, such as those in behavioural and statistical genetics, and access world renowned longitudinal data sets.
  • Learn from world-leading researchers/ clinicians at the IoPPN, with twelve of the world’s most highly cited scientists in this field e.g., Robin Murray, Robert Plomin.
  • King’s is ranked second in the world for psychology and psychiatry – US News, Best Global Universities.

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Employability

In addition to the core teaching, the optional module selection, the optional placement experience and dissertation project, the course provides opportunities to develop your knowledge into different interests and career pathways. This may help you to prepare to study a PhD in a subject such as Psychology, Statistical or Behavioural Genetics, or a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. It will also help you to pursue employment in professional settings where subject knowledge is central to your work, e.g., in a science or academic career or in clinical settings. You will also develop skills to take up employment in other settings, particularly in working with children and young people where knowledge of mental health problems and therapies are required. These could be employment in social care settings e.g., welfare officers in youth organisations, schools, and community centers; as family support workers; or employment in the public sector, e.g., police consultant, parliamentary officer of science and technology. You may also enter employment where subject knowledge is important to succeed in the job, but not the primary activity, e.g., employment in science communication/media within organisations involved with communicating health problems in young people to increase understanding of public awareness. Or, where learning from the degree is applied more broadly, e.g., role in government office of statistics, fundraiser for charity, genetic counsellor, science editor, industry professional.

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Employability

In addition to the core teaching, the optional module selection, the optional placement experience and dissertation project, the course provides opportunities to develop your knowledge into different interests and career pathways. This may help you to prepare to study a PhD in a subject such as Psychology, Statistical or Behavioural Genetics, or a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. It will also help you to pursue employment in professional settings where subject knowledge is central to your work, e.g., in a science or academic career or in clinical settings. You will also develop skills to take up employment in other settings, particularly in working with children and young people where knowledge of mental health problems and therapies are required. These could be employment in social care settings e.g., welfare officers in youth organisations, schools, and community centers; as family support workers; or employment in the public sector, e.g., police consultant, parliamentary officer of science and technology. You may also enter employment where subject knowledge is important to succeed in the job, but not the primary activity, e.g., employment in science communication/media within organisations involved with communicating health problems in young people to increase understanding of public awareness. Or, where learning from the degree is applied more broadly, e.g., role in government office of statistics, fundraiser for charity, genetic counsellor, science editor, industry professional.

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