The Department of Psychology of the University of Basel offers the first doctoral program in School Psychology, Developmental Diagnostics, and Educational Counseling in German-speaking countries with simultaneous research and professional training. The scientific education is completed with a doctoral degree. The postgraduate vocational training may take place in parallel and leads to the Swiss federal title "Specialist psychologist in the field of child and adolescent psychology (FSP)".

Mission statement

The study program is committed to strengthening research and education with the guiding principle that children and adolescents can realize their potential—at school, within the family, in life.

Objective

The main objective is to promote the academic and professional careers of child and adolescent psychologists via scientific training in the fields of school psychology, educational counseling and psycho-social care for children, adolescents and families.

The focus of the doctoral program is the development of scientific expertise to answer basic and applied research questions in accordance with the mission statement.

The doctorate with vocational training trains child and adolescent psychologists with an interest in leadership. It goes beyond doctoral training by:

• Imparting professionally relevant, scientifically based knowledge and skills,
• Providing practical vocational skills under specialist supervision, and
• Promoting a professionally and socially competent, critical attitude

The postgraduate training is based on national and international professional standards. It leads to the Swiss federal title "Specialist psychologist in the field of child and adolescent psychology (FSP)".

Target groups

SEED is aimed at three target groups

• Persons with a scientific interest exclusively in the research field of child and adolescent psychology
• Entry-level child and adolescent psychologists with an interest in scientific, vocational and leadership training
• Persons with professional experience in the fields of school psychology and educational counseling who have an interest in postgraduate scientific doctoral as well leadership training

Admission requirements

Applicants must have a Master’s degree or equivalent in psychology and an interest in psychological research in the area of child and adolescent psychology. The doctorate without specialized training is also open to applicants with a Master’s degree in related disciplines. In this case, an admission colloquium will be held to examine the equivalence competences. The doctoral committee may impose conditions for definitive admission. Graduates must be enrolled as doctoral students at the University of Basel. Further admission criteria are regulated by the Department of Psychology doctoral degree regulations. Additional information for doctoral students from abroad can be found here.

Start date

The doctoral program usually begins in the spring or fall semester. Orientation events are held for new students at the beginning of the semester.

Degree

The graduate program leads to the title of Doctor Philosophiae (Dr. phil.; PhD) on the basis of scientific publications and the doctoral defense. The doctorate with professional training complies with the criteria for obtaining the Swiss federal title "Specialist psychologist in the field of child and adolescent psychology (FSP)" (according to AkkredV-PsyG, Appendix 2).

Project leader

The SEED graduate program is integrated into the Department of Developmental and Personality Psychology at the University of Basel (Prof. Alexander Grob). Dr. Nina Proestler is the scientific coordinator of the SEED program. The scientific advisory board, composed of international and national experts, examines the range of courses, the quality and the procedures of the doctoral program. SEED receives financial support for the doctoral program from the University of Basel and the Jacobs Foundation.

Costs

Doctorate without specialty training

• Registration fee: CHF 100
• Semester fees: CHF 350 per semester*

Part-time doctorate with management qualification (occupational experience)

• Registration fee: CHF 100
• Semester fees: CHF 350 per semester*

Part-time doctorate with professional qualification (career entry)**

• Registration fee: CHF 100
• Semester fees: CHF 350 per semester*
• Supervision: CHF 4000 Total varies depending on the proportion of group supervision
• Vocational curriculum: During the development phase of the doctoral program, the curricular part of the doctorate with professional qualification is financed by foundation funds.

* University of Basel fee regulations
** Not including the cost of FSP recognition