introduction

Teaching Psychology in Luxembourg

Georges Steffgen & Norbert Ewen

University of Luxembourg, Campus Walferdange, LUXEMBOURGContact: georges.steffgen@uni.lu

Psychology education in Luxembourg is only delivered by the University of Luxembourg (Steffgen & Michaux, 2006). The University of Luxembourg - founded in 2003 - is international, multilingual, and strongly focused on research. Starting from the academic year 2005/06 graduations as ‘Bachelor of Science - Psychology’ (3 year-studies; about 130 students; 17 lecturer), as ‘Master of Science in Psychology: Evaluation and Assessment’ (2 year-studies; about 18 students) as well as from 2011 as ‘Master in psychotherapy’ are offered from the University of Luxembourg.

Introduction

Bachelor of Science in PsychologyThe Bachelor of Science in Psycho-logy curriculum introduces students to scientific methods and psychological studies. Students will gain insight into the cognitive and affective processes that underlie the individual human de-velopment and behavior. Admission requirements to study psy-chology on a Bachelor level is a se-condary school diploma or vocational education, leaver’s certificates or for-eign diploma are recognized as equi-valent by the Minister responsible for National Education. The students must be trilingual (German, French, and English).Master of Science in PsychologyThe Master of Science in Psychology provides students with a strong foun-dation in research methodology.The students must be bilingual (French, and English). Admission requirements are a Bachelor in social science, human science, or education.

Program and objectives of the Bachelor of Science in PsychologyThe program (see table) provides students (about 40 per year) with a solid foundation in the major theoretical perspectives of psychology and its scien-tific approaches. Practical skills are gained through classroom experiences in supervised settings. The study program is structured in six semesters, and over the three study years every student has to study abroad for one semester.Main objectives are: a) to conduct an academic program in Psychology in such a manner that students acquire not only theoretical knowledge, but the motivation and commitment to apply their knowledge to the solution of human and communicative problems consistent with their level of training; b) to foster an attitude and willingness to pursue actively personal academic growth on a graduate level in Psychology (http://bap.uni.lu). Therefore, upon completion of the program, students are prepared for graduate study in any area of psychology and for work at entry levels in different work settings.

Bibliography: Steffgen, G. & Michaux, G. (2006). Psychology in Luxembourg: Developments in Academic and Applied Psychology. European Psychologist, 11, 149-152.

Module of the Bachelor Units ECTS

General psychology 3 12 Social psychology 3 12 Personality psychology 3 12 Psychobiology 4 16 Developmental psychology 3 12

Introduction in research methods 3 12 Advanced research methods 2 8 Psychological statistics 2 8 Experimental methodology 2 12 Elective : Psychophysiology 4 20 Final year project 1 14

Diagnostic and Intervention 3 8 Elective: Counseling psychology 4 20

Orientation to psychology 2 4 Applied psychology 3 12 Internship 2 10 Minor subject 2 8

46 180