University of Szeged

What you'll study

This hybrid master’s balances core counselling competencies with applied human resource and organisational modules. Teaching blends on-campus intensive weeks, face-to-face skills training and remote seminars and supervision to develop both clinical counselling skills and workplace-focused interventions.

• Core counselling and psychotherapy theory – counselling approaches, helping relationships, ethical practice and multicultural competence.
• Psychological assessment and diagnostics – individual assessment, psychometric methods, interview techniques and formulation in occupational contexts.
• Organisational behaviour and human resource management – theories of organisations, personnel selection, performance management and talent development.
• Career counselling and coaching – vocational guidance, career development models, executive coaching methods and group coaching practice.
• Employee wellbeing and intervention – stress, burnout prevention, workplace mental health, employee assistance programmes and crisis intervention.
• Mediation, conflict management and labour relations – workplace dispute resolution, negotiation skills and legal context of employment (overview).
• Research methods and professional practice – quantitative and qualitative methods, programme evaluation, plus a supervised master’s thesis or applied project.
• Practicum and internship – supervised client work in counselling settings and placements within organisations or HR departments to apply interventions in real-world contexts.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, human resources, social sciences or a related discipline. Applicants with substantial relevant professional experience (for example in HR, counselling, social work or organisational development) may also be considered.

• Official transcripts and degree certificate from a recognised institution.
• A curriculum vitae detailing relevant academic and/or professional experience.
• A personal statement or motivation letter explaining professional aims and reasons for choosing this programme.
• Admission interview or selection process, which may include a practical skills assessment or case discussion conducted in person or online.
• Proof of language proficiency in the language of instruction (for example an internationally recognised English certificate if the applicant’s prior education was not in the language of instruction, or Hungarian language evidence where applicable).
• Some prior coursework in basic psychology or counselling is normally expected; where gaps exist, conditional offers may require preparatory modules.

Career prospects

The programme prepares graduates for a range of roles that span individual counselling and organisational practice. Alumni typically move into positions such as:

• Human resources specialist focusing on employee development, wellbeing and retention.
• Occupational or career counsellor in public employment services, universities or private agencies.
• Executive coach, leadership development consultant or organisational development practitioner.
• Workplace mediator or conflict resolution specialist within organisations or consultancy firms.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) counsellor or in-house mental health practitioner.
• Further professional training and doctoral research in counselling, organisational psychology or related fields.

Why study at University of Szeged

The University of Szeged is one of Hungary’s major research and teaching institutions with established departments in psychology, education and social sciences. The hybrid form of this MA combines hands-on, supervised clinical training with applied organisational placements, allowing students to build both counselling competencies and workplace-focused skills. Students benefit from multidisciplinary staff expertise, access to university counselling and research centres for practicum opportunities, and collaboration with local employers and public services in Szeged and the broader region.

The programme’s structure is designed to be compatible with working professionals, offering concentrated on-campus blocks and flexible online learning while ensuring rigorous supervised practice and integration of theory with real organisational challenges.