Psychology studies in MRU and University of Turin

I decided to compare studies in university, where I'm studying (University of Mykolas Romeris) with studying in University of Turin in Italy. I made decision that way because University of Turin is involved in "Erasmus"students exchanging program (like as our University) and they are welcome psychology students, so, I think, we have an opportunity to study there. That's why in my opinion this short introducing article will likely be useful for our (psychology) course and may be other students not only from MRU or Lithuania at all.

A little information about history and today life of Turin university: The University of Torino is now 600 years old. It was established at the beginning of the XV century by Prince Ludovico of Savoia-Acaja and was officially recognized by Pope Benedetto XIII in 1404. This date, other than making the University one of the oldest Italian institutes, places it among the few of European Universities to boast a medieval origin. Today the University of Torino is one of the most prestigious among all Italian universities. With its 12 Faculties, 55 Departments and approximately 66,000 students, it is today one of the largest in Italy. It covers all disciplines except Engineering and Architecture. It has a long tradition of international cooperation both in the field of research and education. In recent years relationships with universities abroad have grown constantly and today the University of Torino maintains roughly 370 formal agreements. The university is also involved in numerous international networks, also in the context of European programmes for research and education, provides a large number of international courses and is host to large numbers of students, teachers and researchers who participate in European mobility programmes.

What about Mykolas Romeris University, it is a modern and dynamic European university - the 2nd largest university in Lithuania - with a creative and contemporary research and academic community.Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Studies are carried out in compliance to the major principles of Bologna process in the following faculties: Faculty of Law, Faculty of Economics and Finance Management, Faculty of Strategic Management and Policy, Faculty of Public Administration, Faculty of Social Informatics, Faculty of Social Policy and Faculty of Public Security. Studies and research are carried out in the following fields: Law, Public Administration, Economics, Finance Management, Psychology, Social Work, Social Policy, Sociology, Educology. The University offers more than 70 different study programmes. Presently over 80% of study programmes have international accreditation. The University currently enrolls about 21,000 students.

More information about these universities you can find in: http://www.mruni.eu/lt/ (MRU) http://www.topuniversities.com/university/635/university-of-turin; http://www.portal.unito.it/index.htm (Turin university).

The Reform of the University system classes the Degree in Italy courses in to levels: Laurea (First Cycle Degree courses/Bachelor‘s Degree), Laurea Magistrale (Second Cycle Degree courses/Master‘s Degree) and PhD (Third Cycle Degree/Doctoral Studies) leasts three years (In MRU it leasts two years).

About Doctoral studies I won't be talking, about Master's degree just in short:

Second Cycle (Master‘s Degree) of psychology studies lasts two years: the entrance requirement is a "First Cycle Degree" or a qualification obtained abroad and recognized as corresponding. In UNITO (l'Universita di Torino) there are these second cycle degree courses:Psychology, Clinical and Community Psychology, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Mind Sciences. In MRU - Psychology of Law, Social Psychology and Business Psychology.

About Bachelor‘s degree I‘ll tell more, cause it‘s relevant for us now.

First cycle degree course in the Faculty of Psychology of Torino university is called - Psychological Sciences and Techniques. This Degree leasts just three years (lik e every Laurea degree there). It is designed to develop basic psychological competence and knowledge, integrating different disciplinary spheres in order to build up the foundations necessary for every professional evolution in different applications and fields. In UNITO website is written: „The Degree in Psychological Sciences and Techniques will supply instruments consistent with a professional profile qualified to collaborate in psychological activities, principally in the services devised in dual, organizational and institutional contexts, as for projects aimed at promoting individual and social wellbeing and health.“

MRU Bachelor‘s degree cours called Psychology belongs to Fakulty of Social politics. It leasts fou r years. It should be the greatest different. It‘s a programme, that also gives students just comprehensive general coverage of the central topics of psychology. Courses provide students with the knowledge of research, theories, and their applications in psychology. The programme also gives an opportunity for some specialisation through the optional courses.

In both universities the Degree Course ends with a final exam consisting of a written dissertation, either as a bibliographic review or a data collection empirical project.

The length of all courses is measured in University Educational Credits. The three-years First Cycle Degree In Turin university is equivalent to 180 credits. The four-years degree in MRU – to 160 kredits. So there probably are given more credits for the same subject.

As I found out later, unfortunetaly I can‘t compare subjects in psychology program because, I have no idea why ,but on the website of UNITO (and automaticaly no where else) isn‘t study programes in english, and italian is still a mystery for me. So sorry for this lack of information but I hope it still may be useful. J