Developmental Psychology and Psychopathology King's College London

Overview

The  Developmental Psychology and Psychopathology course at King's College Londonwill train graduates to take up roles within different organizations where knowledge of mental health is required by teaching subjects that are relevant to the characterisation of typical and atypical behaviour, the causes and development of mental health problems in children and young people (including neurodevelopmental disorders) and an understanding of the most standard psychological therapies used in clinical practice and available support service systems. In addition, the course will provide you with a solid understanding of the most recent research methods applied in this area.

Key benefits

• Learn how to characterise typical and atypical behaviours across the life span.

• Learn how to identify, describe and manage behavioural traits in common disorders such as Autism and ADHD.

• Become skilled in using state-of-the-art research methods skills, and access world-renowned longitudinal data sets.

• Explore ways in which technology could help improve coordination, quality, personalization and geographical reach of care.

• Learn from world-leading researchers/clinicians at the IoPPN, with 12 of the world’s most highly cited scientists in this field eg Robin Murray, Robert Plomin, Michael Rutter.

• King’s is ranked 2nd in the world for psychology and psychiatry -  US News, Best Global Universities.

Career prospects

In addition to the core teaching, the optional module selection, the optional placement experience and dissertation project, the programme provides opportunities to develop your knowledge into different interests and career pathways. This may help you to prepare to study a PhD or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or to pursue employment in professional settings where subject knowledge is central to your work, e.g. in a science or academic career or in clinical settings. 

You will also develop skills to take up employment in other settings working with children and young people where knowledge of mental health problems and therapies are required. These could be employment in social care settings e.g. welfare officers in youth organisations, schools and community centers; as family support workers; or employment in the public sector e.g. police consultant, parliamentary officer of science and technology. 

You may also enter employment where subject knowledge is important to succeed in the job, but not the primary activity, e.g. employment in science communication/media within organisations involved with communicating health problems in young people to increase understanding of public awareness. Or, where learning from the degree is applied more broadly, e.g. role in government office of statistics; fundraiser for charity, science editor, industry.