Structure and contents

The study programme promotes a cross-sectoral approach over four semesters. Modules at USI and UNISR are divided into thematic areas that include compulsory and elective courses.

Elective courses, extra credits and integrative training provide flexibility to the programme allowing students to deepen their knowledge in either research and clinical aspects of cognitive psychological aspects or health communication.

The programme includes 120 ECTS, with modules in Psychology, Communication, and Management, as detailed in the table below. Students must also acquire at least 8 ETCS of electives courses and 20 ECTS as practical applications in psychology and health communication. The program ends with a final Master’s thesis in the broad area of psychology and health communication.

The programme is organized into four semesters:

• The first semester covers mainly classes in Health Communication and Research Methods;
• The second semester covers topics in advanced Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience, and an internship in psychology;
• The third semester covers topics in Management, additional topics in Health Communication, and an internship in psychology.
• During the fourth semester, students will attend selected topics in health and organizational psychology and write their Master’s Thesis under the joint supervision of the Faculties of UNISR/USI

During the fall semesters (1st and 3rd), students will attend classes taught at USI, whereas courses in spring semesters (2nd and 4th) will be taught at UNISR.

Over the two years, students will be supported by an active tutoring service and will cumulate extra credits and integrative psychological training, participating in seminar activities, ongoing research projects, and laboratory activities.

Please be aware that slight changes in the study programme may occur

MODULE I: PSYCHOLOGY AND RESEARCH METHODS
Compulsory (56  ECTS):

• Learning and Memory, 6 ECTS, 1st Semester USI
• Fundamentals of Global and Public Health, 3 ECTS, 1st Semester USI
• Psychometrics, 3 ECTS, 1st Semester USI
• Experimental Design and Analysis of Psychological Data, 6 ECTS, 1st Semester USI
• Advanced Topics in Cognitive Psychology, 6 ECTS, 2nd Semester UNISR
• Decision Making and Behavior, 8 ECTS, 2nd Semester UNISR
• Advances in Behavioural Neurosciences, 9 ECTS, 2nd Semester UNISR
• Advanced Modelling in Psychology, 3 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Health Psychology, 6 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Social Psychology, 6 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR

MODULE II: HEALTH COMMUNICATION AND MANAGEMENT
Compulsory (18  ECTS):

• Health Communication, 6 ECTS, 1st Semester USI
• Health Campaign Development and Evaluation, 3 ECTS, 1st Semester USI
• Accounting, 3 ECTS, 3rd Semester USI
• Organizational Behavior, 6 ECTS, 3rd Semester USI

MODULE III: INTERNSHIP IN PSYCHOLOGY (20 ECTS)
Compulsory:

• Practical application in Psychology and Health communication, external internship, 6 ECTS, 2nd Semester Italy or Switzerland
• Psychological applications in Communication and Health, internal internship, 3 ECTS, 2nd Semester UNISR
• Practical application in Psychology and Health communication - Advanced Research Design, internal internship, 3 ECTS, 3rd Semester USI
• Practical application in Psychology and Health communication, external internship, 8 ECTS, 3rd Semester Italy or Switzerland

MODULE IV: THESIS IN PSYCHOLOGY (30 ECTS)

• Practical application in Psychology and Health communication - Advanced Research Design, internal internship, 3 ECTS, 3rd Semester USI
• Advanced Modelling in Psychology, 3 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Health Psychology, 6 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Thesis, 18 ECTS, 4rt Semester USI or UNISR

 Electives courses and integrative psychological training (min 8 ECTS max 21 ECTS):

• Social Marketing, 6 ECTS, 3rd Semester USI
• Interpersonal Communication in Health, 3 ECTS, 3rd Semester USI
• Industry & Institutions perspectives: Stakeholders in the Swiss Health System, 3 ECTS, 4th Semester USI
• Digital Health, 3 ECTS, 3rd Semester USI
• Health Policy, 3 ECTS, 3rd Semester USI
• Neuropsychology, 2 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Health Informatics, 4 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Loss trauma and emotions, 2 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Neurosciences in Organizations, 2 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Theory and Methods in Clinical Assessment, 4 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology (integrative), 7 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR
• Integrative training in Psychology, 6 ECTS, 4th Semester UNISR

The admission to English-language Master programmes at USI requires a good command of English. Non-native English speakers applying to the Master’s or whose previous degree was obtained in another language, are required to provide an internationally acknowledged language certificate equal to the B2 level as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR) or equivalent (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).

The language certificate must be included in the application package.
We only accept the English qualifications mentioned below. The certificate must still be valid at the point of the application. We generally cannot accept language test results older than three years as of September 1st.

The B2 level on the CEFR corresponds to the following scores in internationally acknowledged exams:

Whilst it is a crucial requirement to be fluent in English, you do not need to know or learn Italian to participate in the proposed study programme.

*Update 30.01.2023 - Academic Year 2023/24
Certificates obtained by passing the IELTS Academic Online or TOEFL iBT Home Edition tests may also be submitted for admission to the programme.

Italian

As Lugano is located in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, students might be interested in acquiring the basics in Italian, in order to be able to get around in everyday life.
The Università della Svizzera italiana offers an Italian language study programme organized in various modules. All its non-Italian-speaking students, researchers and professors are invited to participate free of charge.

1. Preparative intensive course for beginners
   In the three weeks preceding the beginning of the fall term, an intensive Italian class is organised.
2. Courses offered during the semesters
   Several Italian classes with different levels of difficulties are organised during the academic year.

Read all details about the Italian classes offered at USI, here.