The Department of Psychology was established by Fr. Joseph Goertz, SVD and is the third oldest and longest-running psychology department in the country. Initially offering a Baccalaureate program, the Department started to offer a Master of Arts in Guidance program in the 1970s until Master of Arts in Psychology programs were developed more recently.
Focusing on family issues and dynamics (e.g., abused women and children, nullity of marriage), the Department’s programs emphasized the understanding and helping of individuals experiencing crises through counseling, therapy, and group dynamics. Since family crises is not only limited in the clinical and counseling areas, the Department also addressed the developmental needs of children. These initiatives paved the way for the offering of the M.A. Clinical Psychology in 2004, coinciding with the transfer of the M.A. Guidance and Counseling program to the then College, now School of Education.
In March 2010, the Psychology Bill was signed in law, professionalizing the practice of psychology in the Philippines and prompting the Psychological Association of the Philippines to certify practitioners of industrial, social, developmental, and clinical psychology.
For more information, contact: The Chair, Department of Psychology
University of San Carlos
Talamban Campus, Nasipit, Cebu City 6000
Philippines
Trunkline +63-32-230-0100 local 131
Programs offered
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Master of Arts in Psychology
Tracks: Social Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Guidance and Counseling
Career tracks
Graduates of the program mostly work in human resource departments of various organizations. They specialize in talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, employee relations, employee engagement, and training and development. Our graduates also work in social or community service management in private or government institutions such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Some also choose to teach in schools and universities and conduct research that address societal issues and concerns. The program also serves as an excellent preparation for law and medicine.
Research highlights
National Filipino Catholic Youth Study
Commissioned research by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Youth and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines in collaboration with 18 universities and colleges nationwide. This study profiles the Filipino Catholic youth in aspects of socio-economic status, religiosity, psychosocial attributes, cultural beliefs, political participation, and the relationships of these variables. The study aims to provide a holistic picture of the youth in their current situation.
Substance abuse
In partnership with the Cebu City Office Substance Abuse Prevention, the research looks into a psychosocial understanding of the illicit drug users in Metro Cebu. It provides a framework of the influences and different factors associated with drug abuse, as well as possible interventions required to help the victims.
Risky sexual practices
The study aims to understand sexual practices of men having sex with men (MSM), which is the population most affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The research investigates the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of MSMs and seeks to understand their views on safe sex practices. It provides a framework of possible interventions as well as policies on the promotion of safe sex to lessen the number of HIV-affected individuals.
Webcam Child Sex Tourism (WCST)
In partnership with Terre des Hommes and UNICEF, this study aims to help the Department of Social Welfare and Development in providing appropriate care and intervention to survivors of WCST. It investigates the general profile of the victims, their experiences, attitudes, and feelings toward their parents and families, the emotional and behavioral problems exhibited by the children, and the roles that parents and guardians play. It also provides therapeutic interventions required to help affected children return to their communities and develop into healthy adults.
Student life
The USC Psychology Society is the co-curricular organization for psychology majors and was awarded as one of The Outstanding Campus Student Organizations of 2017.
