The PhD Program in Psychology at the University of Aveiro aims to prepare highly qualified students for autonomous research work in the various fields of application of Psychology (education, organizations, forensic, health, etc.), thus addressing the recruitment needs of academia, public institutions, associations and non-profit organizations, and the business sector. Taking into account the legal requirements to obtain a PhD degree (Decree-Law no. 74/2006 of March 24), the general goals of the Doctoral Program in Psychology are the following:

This is a full time three year professional course, leading to a Doctoral qualification in clinical psychology. Graduates are qualified to work as Clinical Psychologists. The program is designed around the Accreditation Guidelines of the Psychological Society of Ireland for postgraduate courses in Clinical Psychology. There are four key strands around which course delivery is organised: (1) Academic Competence; (2) Clinical Competence; (3) Research Competence; (4) Personal Development. The program is primarily based on the principles of life-span developmental psychology as applied in the clinical setting. There is a strong emphasis on empirically based theoretical orientations including psychodynamic, cognitive and behavioural theories. Program delivery is through active learning workshops based on adult learning principles including experiential learning, skills practice and reflective practice.