PhD Programs in Mental Healthcare in Czech Republic

The doctoral study program Medical Psychology and Psychopathology is concerned with basic as well as applied research in the areas of biopsychosocial relations. The proposed studies open the possibility for interdisciplinary doctoral education not only for graduates of medical faculties but also for graduates of one-field studies of psychology at faculties of art as well as graduates in some allied fields. The field builds upon the rich tradition of education in psychological and psychiatric sciences at First Faculty of Medicine, represented by the work of founders of the field, such as Josef Riedel, Mihajlo Rostohar, and Vladimír Vondráček. The bias to the biopsychosocial paradigm of recent modern medicine (enriched with the ecologic, environmental dimension), in the aspect of its theoretical base, reflects the recent state of knowledge achieved by modern science in contemporary developed societies. The theoretical base of the study program includes the knowledge systems of theoretical psychological fields (developmental psychology, psychology of personality, etc.), but also that of applied fields, particularly clinical and medical ones. Psychiatry and behavioral sciences, in turn, represent a complex of scientific disciplines that are concerned with understanding human psychology and behavior. These include not only psychological but also genetic, biochemical, or physiological approaches and their interactions. Important is the possibility of use of this most recent knowledge in the care of the mentally as well as physically ill. -

Longevity Studies enable a better understanding of the interfaces and challenges of prolongation of human life (longevity). It fosters further understanding and finding of appropriate answers and solutions of theoretical, applied, and ethical contexts of longevity. It reflects not only current demographic changes of the population but also reflects the fact that nowadays people with severe disabilities, chronic illnesses, and impairment live longer than ever before, and also that some other specific groups of our population have needs related to longevity. Longevity Studies offers an integrated study on the border of humanities, social, biomedical, and other mainly applied sciences. The study responds to the needs of specialist analyses and solutions to problems related to longevity and demographic changes in society and in various fields of human life and activity. The Ph.D. Longevity studies produce highly skilled and knowledgeable specialists in research, expertise, and transference of knowledge into practice. On the scientific level, they are able to tackle problems related to the longevity of human life. They are aware and able to use relevant scientific methods, to coordinate interdisciplinary teams. And furthermore, able to publish both scientific publications and materials for decision-making at all levels and problems related to longevity. -

Doctoral study is designed as a preparation of researchers in the field of educational and school psychology, who will participate in the development of psychological theory and research through independent creative activities. The doctoral study will deepen the knowledge in the field with the application of Czech and foreign knowledge and research results will further extend the methodological and research skills and competencies of doctoral students, as well as presentation skills, with an emphasis on educational and school psychology, other psychological disciplines and social sciences. The focus of the doctoral study is the dissertation, which has the character of the original scientific work. Through the dissertation thesis of the empirical-theoretical or theoretical research, the doctoral student gains new knowledge on the studied topic and thus enriches its scientific description and conceptualization. The dissertation is involved in the development of the field in the national and international context. The aim of the study is to prepare researchers who, in the case of a further academic career at the university, get involved in pedagogic, scientific and research activities in educational and school psychology, possibly also in related psychological disciplines and other social sciences; in case of practical psychological activity the workers will theorize the given field and encompass it into a broader professional context. It is a program without specialization. -

Graduates of the doctoral study program in Clinical and Health Psychology are experts in the latest and scientifically supported procedures with a critical view of their content and especially their methodological contexts. They have demonstrated a profound knowledge of both the field and the methodology of their major topic of interest, which was the topic of their dissertation project. -

Graduates of the doctoral study program in Social Psychology and Psychology of Work are experts in the latest and scientifically supported procedures with a critical view of their content and especially their methodological contexts. They have demonstrated a profound knowledge of both the field and the methodology of their major topic of interest, which was the topic of their dissertation project. -