1. Solid Educational Foundation and Excellent Faculty
Established in 1968, our department is the first in Taiwan to offer undergraduate and graduate programs in Educational Psychology and Counseling. With over 50 years of experience in teaching and academic research, we have witnessed increasing public attention to mental health. More and more students are showing interest in psychological counseling, and we are dedicated to providing excellent counseling education through a combination of theory and practice. Our faculty members cover a wide range of fields, with numerous representative works in education, psychology, statistics, educational psychology, psychometrics, psychiatry, psychological counseling, school counseling, adolescent issues and counseling, and special education.
For more details, please refer to our teaching philosophy and goals. For information on the academic background and expertise of our faculty, please see our faculty lineup.
2. Comprehensive Curriculum and Diverse Electives
Our four-year university program offers a variety of elective paths. Students can take courses to become guidance teachers, junior high school comprehensive activity teachers, or high school career planning teachers. If students also pursue related educational programs in Human Development and Public Administration, they can become scout teachers or home economics teachers. Those not pursuing the teaching route can focus on their counseling and guidance specialization, aiming for a career as counselor, or choose other courses within the university to become probation officers, human resource managers (by taking management courses), school staff, or even principals through national exams.
In addition to core courses, our department offers a range of electives, allowing students to explore specific counseling theories or topics that can serve as future specializations. Courses include Solution-Focused Brief Counseling, Juvenile Delinquency Psychology, Marriage and Family (related to family therapy and couples therapy), Humor Psychology, and more. For more details, please refer to our curriculum structure.
3. Rigorous Counseling/Teaching Internships and Supervision
Our counseling internship includes a full year of practical counseling work in schools during the fourth year, complemented by a comprehensive supervision mechanism involving both site supervisors and faculty supervisors. This greatly benefits professional growth in counseling. For those taking educational programs, the fourth year involves practical work in counseling, administration, and teaching in school settings, along with supervision to discuss and refine practical work. Our department provides thorough internships, personal supervision (one-on-one with professors), and group supervision, helping students develop familiarity with practical work environments and basic skills before graduation.
4. Comprehensive and Professional Facilities
Our department, located on the fifth and sixth floors of the College of Education Building, is equipped with advanced facilities such as group counseling rooms, individual counseling rooms, one-way mirror observation rooms, psychological labs (conducting experiments on eye movement, brain waves, electrophysiology, biofeedback, cognition, etc.), and data analysis rooms. These facilities provide students with opportunities for professional practice in teaching and counseling techniques. Additionally, spaces like the "Mind Space" and "Blue Circle" serve as venues for student activities, dining, discussions, and collaborative projects.
The departmental library on the sixth floor houses various journal resources (including 80 foreign academic journals), hundreds of master's and doctoral theses, and numerous audio-visual teaching materials. It also provides a wide range of professional psychological tests (about 400 types, including intelligence, development, aptitude, achievement, personality, and career tests), available for student coursework and independent research. The main library of the university offers 8,000 professional books in Chinese and Western languages and includes the PsycArticles database with 70 electronic journal titles.
5. Cross-University Alliances and Shared Resources
Taking advantage of geographical proximity and complementary resources, we have formed the "National Taiwan University System" with NTU and NTUST. Students can take cross-university courses at NTU and NTUST, and some departments and programs offer options for double majors or elective credit programs. Through cross-university interactions and exploring diverse fields, students can discover their interests and strengths.
In addition to coursework, students can apply for an integrated library card, allowing them to borrow books from participating universities, enhancing learning resources and effectiveness. The integrated card system includes NTU, NTUST, NCCU, NTHU, TMU, NTNU, and the National Academy for Educational Research. For more information, please refer to the websites of the National Taiwan University System and the integrated library card.
6. Emphasis on Community Care and Sensitivity Training
Our graduates, working as counselors or directors of counseling at junior high schools, often recruit volunteer counselors to assist with counseling-related tasks at nearby schools, providing junior students with valuable practical learning and supervision opportunities. This experience is crucial for enhancing counseling sensitivity and refining professional skills before internships and entering graduate school.
Our department also has the "Star Trek Counseling Society," which organizes annual camps for children in orphanages and regular storytelling activities. The society includes a supervision mechanism led by professional counselors, promoting community care while strengthening professional helping skills and self-awareness.
7. Opportunities for Personal Growth and Inner Exploration
We believe that under the instruction of courses such as "Personality Psychology," "Self-Awareness and Professional Growth for Helpers," "Counseling Principles and Practices," and "Counseling Techniques," students not only acquire knowledge and skills in psychology and counseling but also continuously engage in personal inner exploration and growth. Through reflective reports, group collaboration, and practical counseling skills exercises, students deepen self-awareness and reflection, enabling them to adopt open and diverse perspectives in addressing practical issues and improving interpersonal sensitivity. Our department values not only professional competence in helping others but also the personal growth and self-realization of students, as we believe that taking care of oneself is a crucial prerequisite for effectively helping others.
8. International Collaboration with Sister Universities
Our department has established a sister school agreement with the University of Missouri's Center for Multicultural Research, Training, and Consultation/Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology Department. This collaboration aims to enhance mutual cooperation, improve counseling psychology, educational psychology, language and cultural competence, professional work, and research experiences, and promote academic exchange to broaden students' international perspectives. The agreement includes various programs such as bi-directional cross-cultural exchange (BCCIP short-term visits), doctoral student exchanges, dual master's degree memorandum (1+1 dual degree program), and bachelor's and master's dual degree programs (3+2 dual degree program). Each year, 3-4 students participate in this program, studying at the University of Missouri for their master's/doctoral degrees and engaging in exchange activities. For more information, please refer to the sister school dual degree program.
9. Publication of the "Journal of Educational Psychology," Solid Academic Standing
Our department publishes the "Journal of Educational Psychology," a purely academic journal aimed at promoting academic research in Taiwan. It provides a platform for teachers and researchers to publish original research papers in educational psychology and counseling fields. The journal is indexed in several databases, including SCOPUS, American Psychological Association PsycINFO, TSSCI, Airiti Library, Synergy Knowledge Network, ERIC data Higher Education Knowledge Base, and TAO (Taiwan Academic Online), making it a widely recognized and authoritative resource for professionals globally.
10. Alumni Resources as Future Nutrients
Our department fosters a supportive and collaborative atmosphere, embodying the spirit of care, patience, enthusiasm, willingness, and sincerity. Graduates are always eager to share their experiences and return to campus to interact with current students. For example, in the "University Orientation" course, alumni are invited to share their career paths and experiences. Students can seek advice from alumni on double majors, internships, and preparing for graduate school applications or exams.
For insights from alumni, refer to the "Career Development Journal," a recent publication by our department, which might help clarify any uncertainties about choosing our department and assist you in making a well-informed decision.
