Doctoral Programme in Education and Psychology

The specialisation in education provides in-depth familiarization with the chosen research topic leading to a doctoral dissertation and with the key theories, research methods, and scientific knowledge production in the field of study. The doctoral research conducted in this program focuses on one of the priority areas of educational research at the University of Jyväskylä: 1) Learning, learning difficulties and affecting factors, 2) Education, teaching and interventions, 3) Learning at work and well-being, 4) Childhood and family, and 5) Interactive and technologically enhanced learning environments. Doctoral education teaches students to apply educational research methods and create new scientific knowledge in the field of research. The program provides students with the skills to work in research and other demanding expert positions and to understand educational phenomena in society in a broad sense.

Structure of studies. The degree consists of

• study module KASJAT doctoral studies (30+ ECTS) and
• KPTJ1600 Doctoral dissertation (0 ECT)

Learning outcomes of the specialisation:

The aim of doctoral studies in education is to gain an in-depth understanding of the theories, research methods, and social and international significance of one's own discipline, as well as to develop diverse research skills and thus produce strong expertise in independent research work and scientific publishing. The studies in this specialisation develop the interaction and networking skills needed for scientific communication and cooperation, as well as other working life skills, thus providing students with the skills to work in diverse and demanding expert positions.

The target degrees in this specialisation are PhD (Educ.) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Professor Anna Rönkä is in charge of the specialisation of educational sciences.

The specialisation in cognitive neuroscience provides in-depth familiarization with the chosen research topic leading to a doctoral dissertation, as well as with the key theories, research data, and research methods in the field. Applicants to the specialization in cognitive neuroscience must have suitable background studies, which may include cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience, behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology, sports science, psycholinguistics), cognitive science, information technology, technical sciences, medicine and biosciences, or other relevant fields of science. The doctoral dissertation in this field of study will focus on one of the following areas of research priority in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Jyväskylä: 1) Well-being, interaction, and interventions, 2) Learning, development and living environments, 3) Sustainable worklife and careers. The specialisation teaches students to apply cognitive neuroscience research methods and generate new scientific knowledge in the field. The specialisation will equip you to work in research and other demanding expert positions and to understand cognitive neuroscience phenomena in a broad sense.

Learning outcomes: The aim of the cognitive neuroscience specialisation is to provide doctoral students with an in-depth understanding of the theory, research methods, and social significance, as well as to develop diverse research skills and thus produce strong expertise in independent research work and scientific publishing. The specialisation develops the interaction and networking skills needed for scientific communication and collaboration, as well as other working life skills, thus providing students with the skills to work in diverse and demanding expert positions.

Structure of studies. The degree consists of:

• study module KONTOJAT doctoral studies (30+ ECTS) and
• CNSJ1100 doctoral dissertation (0 ECT)

The target degree in this specialisation is Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Professor Paavo Leppänen is in charge of the specialisation of cognitive neuroscience.

The specialisation in psychology provides in-depth familiarization with the chosen research topic leading to a doctoral dissertation, as well as with key theories, research data, and research methods in the field of psychology. The doctoral research conducted in this specialisation focuses on one or more of the University of Jyväskylä's research priorities in the field of psychology, which are: 1) Well-being, interaction, and interventions, 2) Learning, development and living environments, 3) Sustainable worklife and careers. The specialisation teaches students to apply research methods in the field of psychology and to generate new scientific knowledge in the field. The specialisation prepares students for research positions and other demanding expert positions in the field of psychology, as well as for a broad understanding of psychological phenomena at the individual, organizational, and societal levels.

Learning outcomes: The aim of the specialisation in psychology is to provide doctoral students with an in-depth understanding of the theory, research methods, and social significance, as well as to develop diverse research skills and thus produce strong expertise in independent research work and scientific publishing. The specialisation develops the interaction and networking skills needed for scientific communication and collaboration, as well as other working life skills, thus providing students with the skills to work in diverse and demanding expert positions.

Structure of studies. The degree consists of:

• study module PSYJAT doctoral studies (30+ ECTS) and
• PSYJ1100 doctoral dissertation (0 ECT)

The target degrees in this specialisation are PhD (Psych.) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Associate Professor Virpi-Liisa Kykyri is in charge of the specialisation of psychology.