The Psychology study program at Croatian Studies, today’s Faculty of Croatian Studies of the University of Zagreb, enrolled its first generation of students in the academic year 1998/1999. In the new independent state, faced with post-war difficulties in the adaptation of individuals and social groups, but also with development opportunities, there was a need, among other experts, for contemporary educated psychologists. The program was based on an analysis of similar programs available at the most famous world and European psychology studies. It was reformed in 2005, achieving even greater harmonization with the European educational framework, the so-called Bologna model of studies. Despite lengthy debates on the need for two schools of psychology at the University of Zagreb, the external reaccreditation process of higher education study programs in 2013/2014 attested Croatian Studies as the best rated social and humanities higher education institution. This also confirmed the quality of the psychology study program, which was issued a permanent license to carry out undergraduate and graduate studies in 2014. The specificity of the Croatian Studies psychology program in comparison to other psychology studies in the Republic of Croatia was in its practical focus on interdisciplinarity, especially in undergraduate studies, when students were required to enrol in elective courses from other study programs at the institution; psychological practice in graduate studies, when students enrolled in a large number of elective courses on specific and professional skills, which prepared them for the transition to the world of work.

psychology study program, Croatian Studies, history