Higher school of psychology

6.1. Conformity of the Study Programme to the Standard of Higher Education

Professional master studies programme “Psychology” is designed to conform with the Latvian Republic Standard of Profession of Psychologist (Regulation of Ministry of Education and Science Nr. 351, June 6, 2002), Regulations Nr. 481 of the LR Cabinet of Ministers of November 20, 2001 “Regulations on the State standard of second-level higher professional education”, and LR Ministry of Welfare Regulations Nr. 179 of December 9, 2004 „On amendments to the classification of professions ”.

The State Standard of the Higher Professional Education sets forth the requirements concerning the extent of the study programme which should be at least 40 credit points (CP). The extent of the master studies programme delivered at the HSP is 80 credit points.

Conformity of the HSP professional master programme with respect to the extent and content to the State Standard of higher professional education is shown in Table 6.1.

Table 6.1.

Conformity of the HSP Professional Master Studies Programme to the State Standard of the Higher Professional Education with respect to extent and content

Requirements of the State Standard concerning the programme content	Requirements of the Standard, CP	Extent of the blocks of HSP professional master studies programme, CP
Study courses ensuring acquisition of the new developments (achievements|) in the field-specific theory and practice	At least 7	18
Research activity, creative work, study courses on planning and management	At least 5	15
Study courses on pedagogy and psychology	At least 2	13
Practical work outside the educational establishment	At least 6	14
State examination, part of which is master paper elaboration and presentation	At least 20	20

Based on the data presented in the table a conclusion can be made that the Professional master study programme delivered at the HSP fully conforms to the requirements of the state standard of higher professional education. All the components of HSP professional master study programme proportionally exceed the requirements of the Standard with respect to the minimum credit points for the component in line with the total extent of the programme. The degree conferred on the programme completion enables the graduates to pursue studies under doctoral programmes.

In conformity with the Professional Standard the duration of the studies, necessary to master the knowledge and skills essential for a psychologist is 6 years. The total length of the studies in the higher professional education study programme and the HSP Professional master study is in line with the requirements of the Standard.

6.2. Results of the employers’ survey

The HSP maintain up linkages with the employers of the master students. The HSP master students have jobs both in state and non-governmental, private organizations.

Table 6.3.

Work places of the HSP master students

Name, surname	Work place	Position
Jevgēnijs Rozanovs	Rīga secondary school N13	Psychologist
Irēna Danu	“Nelss līzings LTD.”, Daugavpils branch	Head of the branch
Renāte Ļahovska	HSP, Daugavpils branch	Head of the studies department
Natālija Prilucka	Baltic Russian Institute, Daugavpils branch	Librarian
Oļesja Meļentjeva	Gestalt Institute, Rīga	Leader of psychological training
Irina Mitrohina	”Kaskad” LTD.	Manager
Genādijs Merefjanskis	A self-employed person	Psychologist
Anna Buņetova	Rīga secondary school N 20.	Psychologist
Anna Auziņa	Rīga City Council, Drug addiction prevention Centre	Chief specialists on addiction prevention
Diāna Vilciņa	Foreign Ministry, Personnel department	Senior assistant
Jeļena Vorobjova	Higher School of Psychology, Rīga	Assistant program director
Inna Lavreņuka	Higher School of Psychology, Rīga	Studies department Methodist
Tatjana Leppik	Pre-school educational establishment, Tallinn	Educator
Tatjana Voitenko	”Dzelzceļa veselības centrs” LTD., Rīga Latvian-Estonian secondary school	Psychologist
Diāna Bogomoļeca	International Institute of Practical Psychology	Secretary
Valērija Bruja	International Institute of Practical Psychology	Consultant–coordinator
Jekaterina Čerņikova	Rīga City Council	Project specialist
Kristīne Sirica	Computer Centre, Department of Education, Youth and Sports	Main specialist in the infrastructure issues

On a regular basis, the HSP discusses with the master students the possibilities of promotion (doctoral studies), the possibilities to find a job, finds out the personal opinions of the students concerning their preparedness for professional work.

With the purpose to improve the quality of studies, the HSP conducts an employers’ survey with a request to evaluate the employees (HSP master students) professional training. The employers’ survey results are taken into account in making corrections and amendments to the separate study courses content, the way how professional training and practical work are conducted, as well as the provisions for the study process.

Regular survey of the employers helps to find out the level of the professional competence of the master students, their ability to work in teams, analytical skills in finding the solutions, creative approach in work, ability to perfect skills to apply methods and variety of approaches in work. (The questionnaire offered to the employers see in Appendix 2).

The results of the employers’ survey conducted in 2004/ 2005 ac. year demonstrates that, the employers believe the HSP master students to be skilled specialists, they appreciate their practical efficiency, professional and personal qualities. The HSP master students’ initiative, ability to find creative solutions for the professional tasks and desire to pursue their professional development.