Our Program

This Master’s program addresses a growing interest among both neuroscientists and developmental scholars in integrating ideas of social-emotional development with a contemporary understanding of brain development and function.

The program introduces to candidates the relation between neuroscientific and psychodynamic approaches to developmental psychopathology. It equips students with the knowledge and understanding of neuroscientific and psychodynamic concepts. The program aims to engender an ability to design research approaches using a range of neurobiological and neuroimaging techniques that are also pertinent to psychodynamic concepts and theory.

The overarching educational aims of the program are to:

  • Provide academic grounding in psychoanalytic theories of development
  • Provide a developmental approach to psychopathology based on psychodynamic, biological and cognitive perspectives
  • Equip students with sufficient knowledge in neuroscience to critically evaluate findings from neuroimaging and other neurobiological studies
  • Equip students to make pertinent connections between neuroscientific findings and psychodynamic or developmental theory
  • Promote the development of qualitative and quantitative research skills under the supervision of experienced researchers and clinical innovators

Year One: London

The first year of this MSc is based at The Anna Freud Centre in the leafy, peaceful suburb of Hampstead just moments from Sigmund Freud’s London residence. As a University College London (UCL) student you will have access to the facilities of an internationally renowned university. Founded in 1826, UCL is one of the leading teaching and research institutions in the United Kingdom. In addition, London offers students the greatest concentration of libraries, museums and archives in Europe. As a capital city, London is unique in its array of rich cultural experiences—from world leading theaters to concert halls and pubs.

Brief Overview of Teaching Modules

  1. Psychoanalytic Concepts
  2. Developmental Psychopathology
  3. Research Methods and Statistics
  4. Introduction to Neurobiology

Year Two: Yale

Founded in 1701, Yale now stands amongst the world’s great universities. As a leading academic institution, it is renowned for its interdisciplinary and innovative biomedical research. The Child Study Center, a department at Yale University School of Medicine, brings together multiple disciplines to further the understanding of the problems of children and families including child psychiatry, pediatrics, genetics, neurobiology, epidemiology, psychology and social policy.

The strengths of the Center are reflected in the breadth and integrative nature of its research, clinical services, and training. In particular, the Child Study Center has been at the forefront of research in a number of developmental disorders including autism, Tourette’s syndrome, and ADHD. The Center is a short walk from the center of New Haven, a large New England town with rich cultural activities more akin to cities many times its size. In addition to many museums and coffee shops, New Haven offers a wonderful variety of excellent restaurants and cuisine. Moreover, it is only 90 minutes by train from the many attractions of New York City and Manhattan.