November 21 Monday
Decades of research in developmental psychology, pediatrics, and neuroscience have concluded that the first five years of children’s lives are especially critical as they begin to explore their environment, acquire verbal and reasoning skills, socialize, and make first steps of their independence. The environment of the family, friends and later the school has a great influence on this path. Until the completion of adolescence, development is a complex psychosomatic event, which should not be left to its own devices. It is wrong to think that the child psychologist only deals with developmental disorders. Obviously, when a child’s behavior problems appear, the child psychologist is the one who will make the diagnosis and recommend the treatment, but his role is broader: he is the scientist who will guide parents and children in cultivating healthy relationships so that the child to develop their skills, talents and self-esteem while experiencing a happy and creative childhood and adolescence.
Child Psychology investigates the mental, emotional and social development of children and adolescents which includes everything from sensory awareness and fine motor skills to language acquisition and socialization. Every child develops at their own pace, however there are developmental milestones which, if significantly delayed, may indicate a developmental disorder and require treatment. It is estimated that 1 in 160 children suffers from some form of developmental disorder.
This complex science, so useful in our complex world, is studied by the students of the Child Psychology department at BCA. The educational modules analyze:
• the child’s development and behavior,
• the theories that explain the mechanisms of development in the various areas such as the cognitive and emotional areas,
• the factors that endanger development such as neglect, abuse, loss, war, migration, etc.
• the factors that support development such as family and school
• developmental disorders and their treatment methods.
The program is designed based on the specifications of the British Psychological Society. Graduates are awarded a Bachelor’s degree from the award-winning University of West London (1st in the Modern Universities London ranking).
Graduates can work as freelance psychologists, maintaining their own office, as permanent associates in educational organizations, childcare institutions, social services, public organizations and local government bodies, but also in other product-related fields aimed at children (design, evaluation, research, marketing, advertising).
They can also specialize, continuing postgraduate studies, in individual areas of child psychology, such as Child Development, Educational Psychology, Vocational Guidance and Neuropsychology.
October for the Fall Semester or
February for the Spring Semester
4 years for October or February entry
3 years for October or February entry, for those students who have a high school certificate (apolytirion) 15 or above and recognized English certificates (B2+ and above).
Morning or/and evening classes
1st and 2nd Year: Either English or Greek
3rd and 4th Year 4: English or
All years in English
BCA’s collaboration with companies and organizations (Open Psychotherapeutic Centre, International School of Athens, Melina’s Kindergarten, Aktios) that offer students the possibility of internships and valuable work experience during their studies.
Lectures by external partners (clinical psychologists, family therapists, school psychologists, social psychologists and researchers) of high academic and professional level.
Seminars in collaboration with specialized partner organizations.
Emphasis on employability: the program places great importance on developing students’ research and management skills.
Foreign languages: the program offers participants the opportunity to perfect their English and learn at least one more foreign language.
IT skills: participants acquire technology knowledge and IT skills vital to their professional development.
Studying at BCA, you live in Greece but you are exposed to the learning experience designed and provided by a high-level British or Swiss University and you are awarded the same, Bachelor & Master degrees, awarded to UK and Swiss students., which are recognized in the Greek and international labor market. In addition, you will benefit from the digital technology with the specialized online educational platforms developed by BCA and incorporated into the Blended Learning philosophy.
The successful course of BCA is certified by the multiple awards it has received during the years of its educational operation. One of the most important prizes was its announcement of being the “COLLEGE OF THE YEAR”, awarded by the Education Leaders Awards Special Committee. More information on the BCA College Awards can be found here.
The programmes of study provided by BCA College are further enriched with industrial visits, seminars and lectures organised during the year in parallel with the curriculum. These co-curricular activities bridge the academic theory taught in classrooms with current professional practice, transfer students’ know-how and expertise in real time, and connect them with renowned executives, entrepreneurs, and people with key positions in their field.
An indicative applicant should possess an Apolytirion of at least 12 or IB Diploma or equivalent. However, we would welcome students to apply who have an Apolytirion of less than 12 provided that their marks on relevant subjects achieved prior to the panhellenic exams in the final year of schooling are at the level of 12 or above. Interviews will be conducted, and applicants will be considered for their overall ability to attend the programme alongside all the above grades.
Applicants have the option of attending the first 2 years of the programme either in English or in Greek. Those who wish to attend the first year in English are required to submit one of the following certifications:
Applicants can be admitted to the second year of undergraduate studies (Level 4) as long as the grade of their high school certificate (apolytirion) is 17 or above.
Applicants have the option of attending the first two years of the programme either in English or in Greek. Those who wish to attend second year modules in English should also submit one of the following certifications:
International Baccalaureate Diploma Graduates
Applicants can be admitted to the second year of undergraduate studies ( Level 4) as long as the grade of their Diploma is 28 and above including at least 15 at higher level. IB students meet the English language entry requirements if they attain a minimum of 4 points in English at higher level. Those who do not have at least 4 points in English and wish to attend second year modules in English should also submit one of the above English certifications.
Dr. Touloumakou graduated with a degree in Philosophy, Education and Psychology (major in Psychology) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She also completed an MA in Educational Psychology/Psychometrics at New York University, NY, US as a scholar of Stamatis Foundation, and an MSc in Counselling & Career Guidance at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. After working for some time with European and Nationally funded research projects, she completed her PhD (DPhil) in Educational Psychology, at the SKOPE Centre, University of Oxford, UK as a scholar of the State Scholarship Foundation and the Economics and Social Research Council.
She undertook post-doctoral research regarding language skills among children with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) who live in institutions (compared to matched peers) as a State Scholarship Foundation scholar between 2017-2019, at the Department of Primary Education, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dr. Touloumakou has been teaching Educational Psychology, and Developmental Psychopathology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences since 2016. She specialises in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the implementation of trauma-informed practices in schools to support children with ACEs.
| Award | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cert HE |
Certificate of Higher Education Psychology of Child Development |
Participants need to obtain 120 credit points |
| Dip HE |
Diploma of Higher Education Psychology of Child Development |
Participants need to obtain 240 credit points |
| Ordinary degree |
BSc in Psychology of Child Development |
Participants need to obtain 300 credit points |
| BSc |
BSc (Hons) in Psychology of Child Development |
Participants need to obtain 360 credit points |
All undergraduate programmes, in addition to the Bachelor’s degree, also offer intermediate-supplementary undergraduate awards, such as the Higher Education Certificate and the Higher Education Diploma. These undergraduate titles, which can also be obtained with a degree or honors, are awarded to those students who have completed a part of the undergraduate course.