KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 7
National College is set to launch a two-year Master of Psychology (MPsych) programme affiliated with Kathmandu University, offering postgraduate training across six areas of specialisation.
The programme, being launched in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, will be a four-semester postgraduate degree carrying 60 credits. National College says the programme is designed as a practice-oriented course combining advanced academic study with research, fieldwork and supervised professional experience.
The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for October 8 at 1:30 pm at the National College Auditorium Hall in Kathmandu.
The six specialisation tracks are clinical psychology, counselling psychology, geropsychology, forensic psychology, child and adolescent psychology, and community, disaster, mental health and trauma psychology.
According to Prof Dr Rita Shrestha, head of the Psychology Department at National College, the programme is intended to address the growing demand for trained psychology professionals in education, health, community development, research, organisational settings and other emerging fields.
The curriculum will include lectures, seminars, discussions, case-based learning, practical activities, fieldwork, research, presentations and supervised professional experience. Students will also be encouraged to examine emerging psychological and social issues through systematic and evidence-based research.
The programme will emphasise ethical professional practice, research, community engagement, interdisciplinary learning and evidence-based approaches, according to the college.
"The programme seeks to strengthen the connection between psychological knowledge, professional practice, research, and social responsibility, while creating opportunities for academic cooperation at national and international levels," National College Principal Madhav Prasad Neupane said.
The college said the programme will also seek to facilitate academic exchange, professional networking and research collaboration involving universities, research institutions, government agencies, health institutions and communities.
National College said the programme marks a step towards strengthening advanced psychology education, professional training, research and evidence-based psychological practice in Nepal. The release describes it as the first such programme in Nepal, a claim that has not been independently verified.
