Reduce personal suffering of patients with mental disorders
On the other hand, you’ll have excellent research skills, an analytical attitude and data/statistical skills – all of which will stand you in good stead for your future career.
Pursue an academic career or start working
As a graduate from the Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology programme, you’re highly likely to find work as a researcher in positions at universities and research institutes, but especially in roles that bridge the gap between universities and mental health services.
After completing your degree, you’ll be in an excellent position to get to work on your PhD, addressing questions on epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, courses, treatments and outcomes of psychopathology, as well as mental health service planning and evaluation. You might also be involved in translational research conducted in the field or in applied research centres.
On average, the VU Amsterdam offers two PhD positions to our Research Master’s students each year. In recent years, around 40% of our alumni secured a PhD position in the Netherlands or overseas. Others mostly went on to work in clinical practice, using their strong academic basis to improve treatment and care within the field of psychopathology.