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What is the impact of early experiences, either healthy or adverse (e.g., neglect, or physical, psychological, sexual abuse), on development across the lifespan?
Why is it important to intervene during the first years of life, and which are the benefits for individuals and the communities?
How to prevent children’s and their families to experience severe adverse conditions?
What roles schools and communities play in promoting a heathy development, or in reducing inequalities?
How to improve the quality of foster care? Why is family-foster care so important?
What are the processes promoting the child’s adaptation to the adoptive family? How is adoptive parenting characterized?
This Master's aims to provide students with a solid theoretical and empirical training, preparing them to intervene in different developmental contexts, that include children and youth at risk and danger.
From an ecological and systemic perspective, the role of different levels and systems are considered, namely, the individual, the family, school, community, residential care, etc.
This degree permits admission to the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses, and to the profession. It also enhances the success of getting a job in the field of psychology, specifically in the areas of the program, due to its reputation in the community.
It also provides students with research skills, for example, through the development of an original dissertation project, and allows students to apply to Doctoral Programs (national and internationally).
The Master is part of the Department of Psychology, at Iscteand It has, also, a strong link to the research unit Cis-Iscte, evaluated as Excellent by the Foundation for Science and Technology.
2026/2027
The program consists of two semesters with a curriculum component l (1st year), and two semesters to complete a curricular internship (350 hours), and a dissertation or project (2nd year). There are three optional curricular units, two in the 1st semester and one in the 2nd semester (1st year).
During the 2nd year the internships occur in different organizations which have been collaborating with the Master’s over the years (e.g., CPCJs, foster-care, diverse community programs, schools, NGOs, city councils, hospitals …).
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Data Analysis Methods Parte Escolar > Optional Courses > Data Analysis | 1 | 6.0 |
| Community Psychology: Conception, Implementation and Assessment of Projects * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Proteção de Crianças Vítimas de Maus-Tratos * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Psychological Assessment of the Child and Adult * | 1 | 6.0 |
| Qualitative Data Analysis in Psychology Parte Escolar > Optional Courses > Data Analysis | 1 | 6.0 |
| Adoption, Foster and Residential Care and Child Development * | 2 | 6.0 |
| Assessment and Intervention with Children at Risk * | 2 | 6.0 |
| Assessment and Intervention with Families at Risk * | 2 | 6.0 |
Recommended optative
The study plan includes 3 optional courses, 2 in the 1st semester and 1 in the 2nd semester.
1st Semester
2nd Semester
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
| Unidades curriculares | Semester | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Project in Community Psychology, Protection of Children and Youth at Risk Final Work | 1 | 30.0 |
| Internship Training in Community Psychology, Protection of Children and Youth at Risk * | 1 | 30.0 |
| Master Dissertation in Community Psychology, Protection of Children and Youth At Risk Final Work | 1 | 30.0 |
Recommended optative
The study plan includes 3 optional courses, 2 in the 1st semester and 1 in the 2nd semester.
1st Semester
2nd Semester
Optional courses will only be held if they achieve a minimum number of enrollments.
At the end of the Master's, the student should be able to:
(LO1) Understand, differentiate and evaluate empirically the theoretical perspectives and methodologies of Community Psychology and Protection of At-Risk Children and Youth; Understand the legislation, characteristics and functioning of the Children and Youth Protection System;
(LO2) Apply necessary acquired knowledge in the evaluation and design of systems at the parental, familial, community and institutional levels; Design, implement and evaluate psychosocial intervention programs; Apply acquired knowledge in the areas of adoption, foster families and residential care;
(LO3) Develop research ideas and projects in an original, indepedent, and sustained manner in the areas of the Community Psychology and Protection of At-Risk Children and Youth;
(LO4) Integrate and apply knowledge in Community Psychology and Protection of At-Risk Children and Youth in order to diagnose complex situations, plan and realize interventions in real-world contexts.
Its faculty is highly qualified, combining experience in scientific research, teaching /supervision, and professional practice in the context of the community. Professors are involved and teaching Curricular Units in their areas of expertise.
The program, through its faculty, is integrated in Nacional and International scientific networks and have close ties to the structures that professionally frame this area.
2025/2026
The Master's degree in Community Psychology and Protection of Children and Young at Risk allows admission to the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP) for the professional internship, and access to the profession.
Students who complete this Program may pursue their professional career, in diverse contexts, such as:
| Round | Start Date | End Date | Vacancies | Application fee | Reservation fee | candidacy.reservation_fee_international |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st round | Mestrado/Master | 2025-12-15 09:30 | 2026-01-14 17:00 | 35 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | 500.00 € |
| 2nd round | Mestrado/Master | 2026-01-15 09:30 | 2026-02-25 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | 500.00 € | |
| 3rd round | Mestrado/Master | 2026-02-26 09:30 | 2026-04-06 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | 500.00 € | |
| 4th round | Mestrado/Master | 2026-04-07 09:30 | 2026-05-13 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | 500.00 € | |
| 5th round | Mestrado/Master | 2026-05-14 09:30 | 2026-06-24 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | 500.00 € | |
| 6th round | Mestrado/Master | 2026-06-25 09:30 | 2026-08-26 17:00 | 70.00 € | 350.00 € | 500.00 € |
The Master's degree in Community Psychology, Protection of Children and Youth at Risk only admits students with a degree (licenciatura/ bachelor’s) in Psychology or Psychological Sciences.
SELECTION AND RANKING CRITERIA
Evaluation criteria and other usefull information about the aplication available HERE (portuguese only).
DOCUMENTS
The application is made exclusively online. The following documents are mandatory:
*Applicants still completing the bachelor degree must upload a declaration of honor (draft available on the platform) as an alternative to the diploma.
Applicants who do not submit the above-mentioned documents will be transferred to the next round. If they do not deliver the missing documentation by the end of the application period of the subsequent round, they will be excluded.