Institut de psychologie et éducation

The specialization in psychology and education in the Neuchâtel Master’s in Social Sciences is unique in Switzerland and Europe:

– It is a unique Master’s degree in sociocultural psychology, at the crossroads of education sciences and psychology. Sociocultural psychology examines the dialogical dynamics by which the individual and his or her social and cultural environment mutually constitute each other, and emphasizes the symbolic nature of these situations;

– The Master is not linked to a national psychology curriculum; it is not oriented towards clinical psychology, and is open to students from different countries and backgrounds;

– The Master is interdisciplinary, to foster the ability to study complex socio-cultural phenomena. The specialization is part of a Master’s in Social Sciences, attached to the Centre for the Understanding of Social Processes (MAPS), which coordinates research and teaching activities in anthropology, sociology, regional economics, geography, psychology and education, and the Swiss Forum for Migration Studies (SFM). The Center encourages interdisciplinary collaborations in which students are involved (for example, in science and psychology to study conservation, in anthropology and education to study education in refugee camps, etc.).

The Master’s program welcomes:

– Students with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology or educational science, who wish to specialize in sociocultural psychology and develop a research project on a theme of their interest;

– Teachers or social workers with a Bachelor’s degree, or professionals wishing to develop conceptual and methodological tools to develop new perspectives based on their experience;

– Students from other Masters programs who wish to extend their studies into a discipline focusing on personal and interpersonal dynamics in social phenomena. All applications for admission will be examined, and tailor-made “bridges” will be offered.

Studies are based on original pedagogical principles:

– The Master’s thesis, on a topic defined by the student, is at the heart of the studies;

– Courses have a high teacher/student ratio, and students are encouraged to play an active role;

– A choice of seminars in psychology & education and the social sciences enables students to personalize their curriculum;

– Students become members of a community of researchers and are prepared to become reflective practitioners;

– Studies can include internships, stays abroad, etc., facilitating future professional and international integration;

– Students can combine the Master in Psychology and Education at the University of Neuchâtel with partner programs;

– Teaching is bilingual French/English, and exams can be taken in English at request. The Master can be organized in several ways, see here (in French).

The Master’s in Psychology and Education prepares students for applied or fundamental research in emerging fields such as: sociocultural psychology; dialogical perspectives in learning and education; the development of thought, memory and imagination; the implementation of innovative pedagogical systems, from the nursery to the retirement home, etc. The Master’s degree also prepares students for leading roles as experts, trainers or managers in various cultural, social and educational fields. Depending on the subject of their dissertation and the practical experience gained during their studies, former students work, for example, in:

– Vocational schools and school-to-work support programs;

– Adult and continuing education;

– Integration of people on mobility programs;

– Human resources;

– Communication, media, museums, etc.

– NGO cooperation, etc.