Master’s Program in Clinical Psychology (with Thesis)

The mission of Koç University master’s program in clinical psychology is to train practitioners who have the competence to conduct science-based practice in clinical psychology.

Koç University master’s program in clinical psychology aims to provide students with clinical competence and expertise in the fields of psychological assessment and psychotherapy, as well as to improve their scientific thinking and research skills.

The program employs faculty members who specialize in topics of suicide, depression, personality disorders, trauma, social anxiety disorder, sexual orientations and identities, emotion regulation difficulties, addiction, effects of forced migration, stress, and the role of cultural factors in the onset and treatment of psychopathology, as well as evidence-based interventions such as problem solving therapy, systemic therapies, and psychotherapy processes. Students will gain experience in clinical psychology research by participating in national and international projects carried out by faculty members.

Faculty

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Courses

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At the end of the two year program the graduates will reach a competent level in interview techniques, psychological assessment, and Problem-Solving Therapy, which involve intensive clinical practice.

During their first year,  students will attend  KU Mental Health Lab research meetings while  taking courses that include theory and practice and in their second year they will do their internship at the Koç University Hospital and/or partnered mental health facilities. 

The program will train experts who are familiar with the scientific method within the framework of balanced science and practice, who also have command of evidence-based psychotherapy models and are competent in psychological assessment.

The program, which aims to equip its graduates with evidence-based psychotherapy skills and to train them to conduct scientific research, will provide an important infrastructure for those who want to pursue doctoral studies.

Koç University master’s program in clinical psychology is an important opportunity for those who want to specialize in both clinical research and evidence-based practice in the field of clinical psychology.

Candidates with an undergraduate degree in psychology can apply to the program.

Involvement in social responsibility projects will increase the applicants’ chances of being accepted into the program.

With the exception of the supervision and internships, most program courses will be taught in English. Therefore, candidates with good command of English and Turkish will be considered.

🚩 The program is not taking applications for the Fall 2023 intake. Application dates for the Fall 2024 intake will be announced next year.

The Description of Clinical Psychology Program

A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional with an undergraduate degree in Psychology/Psychological Counselling and master’s degree in Clinical Psychology or a non-psychology related undergraduate degree and PhD in Clinical Psychology. Clinical Psychology Master’s Program empowers Psychology and Psychological Counselling graduates to work as clinicians in the private sector or a hospital and gives the title of “Clinical Psychologist”.

The Goals of the Koç University Clinical Psychology Program

The program’s primary goal is to train practitioners who have the competence to conduct science-based practices in clinical psychology.  It aims to train graduates who adopt a scientific way of thinking, have good psychopathology, research methods, psychological evaluation skills, and know evidence-based psychotherapy theories and professional ethics.

This program will allow students to conduct interviews and psychological evaluations under supervision and follow their cases in the application centers determined by the institution. This program aims to train clinical psychologists with the knowledge and practice skills and train clinical psychologists who are sensitive to professional, ethical principles and open to different ideas and cultures and have high social responsibility.

Scope of Clinical Psychology Master’s Program

Graduates of the Clinical Psychology Master’s program will gain advanced knowledge and skills in research methods, psychopathology and assessment, evidence-based psychotherapy theories and professional ethics. In addition, they will gain clinical skills by practicing psychotherapy under supervision.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • To demonstrate integration and application of research, theory, and practice methods in clinical psychology.
  • To adhere to ethical and legal standards.
  • To demonstrate awareness and sensitivity in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups, and communities.
  • To demonstrate professional values and attitudes.
  • To exhibit strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • To conduct fair and reliable assessments.
  • To demonstrate knowledge of professional consultation and clinical supervision.

 

Skills and Knowledge Acquired Through This Program

Graduates of this program will have a solid foundation in knowledge and skills in the following areas:

  • Professional ethics
  • Psychopathology
  • Psychotherapy
  • Interview techniques and psychological assessments
  • Research methods

 

Employability & Careers

Students graduating from this program will have a “Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with Thesis”, and they will be able to get the title of ‘Clinical Psychologist’. Graduates can work in psychotherapy and psychological counselling centers, mental health units, health care services, hospitals, schools, universities, legal systems, medical systems, government offices, and the military. They can also continue their academic careers in Türkiye and abroad.

The program is not taking applications for the Fall 2023 intake. Application dates for the Fall 2024 intake will be announced next year.

All applications must be submitted online.
  • All applicants  must have their results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE-for foreign applicants) or ALES (Akademik Lisansüstü Eğitim Sınavı-for native applicants)
  • You need to also upload available scores during online application.
  • You will be able to leave these spaces empty if your scores are not available at the time of application. Please make sure to enter the date you are scheduled to take the exam.
  • We do accept applications without ALES GRE  and/or TOEFL scores. You must submit these scores as soon as they are announced.
Must have a BA/BS degree in Psychology or Guidance and Psychological Counseling

All applicants must have good command in Turkish and in English. 

Statement of Purpose 

Required for all applicants. It should not exceed 2,000 words focusing on the following questions:

    • Why do you apply to Koç University?
    • Why do you apply to the particular program?
    • What are your career objectives?

CV

Transcripts 

  • You must have a min 2,90 GPA (or equivalent)  for application

We strongly encourage applicants to submit a scanned image of the transcript at the time of application, which can speed processing; however, a final, official transcript will be required of all admitted students during registration.

Applicants who have attended international institutions must submit transcripts or certified attestations of study, with certified English translations. Once translated, the original transcript and the certified translations are to be sent to the Graduate School admission office.

Letters of Recommendation 

The Graduate School requires two letters of recommendation by persons well qualified to speak from first-hand knowledge about the applicant’s potential for graduate study. Letters of recommendation must be submitted online.

GRE/ALES 

  • ALES Score Equal Weight or Verbal : 70
  • GRE Score Quantitative: 153
  •  

TOEFL/YDS/YÖKDİL

All native applicants and international applicants whose native language is not English must ensure that the Graduate School receives their official score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

English Language Proficiency  Minimum Scores 

  • TOEFL (IBT): 80/120
  • YDS: 80
  • YÖKDİL: 80
  •  

Turkish Language Proficiency  Minimum Scores (TÖMER) 

All international applicants who are non-Turkish Speakers must have a B2 level TÖMER Score (Türkçe ve Yabancı Dil Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi)

Written Exam

Written exam will be in 2 Sections:

1- Screening Exam to all eligible applicants.

2-Written Exam to shortlisted applicants only.

The screening exam covers candidates’ knowledge in research methods as well as general psychology theory and research including all subdisciplines of psychology (social, cognitive, developmental, personality psychology and psychopathology).

The science exam is specifically focused on research methods and theories in Clinical Psychology.

Master’s Perspective

Prof. Mehmet Eskin
Clinical Psychology

From Our Graduates