Presentation
The Master’s Degree in Health Psychology at UJA provides accreditation for professional practice in the field of Health and Clinical Psychology.
This Master’s Degree trains Psychology postgraduates for professional practice in the field of Health and Clinical Psychology.
As part of the syllabus, student will gain competences in the assessment and intervention of people’s behaviour that affect their wellbeing where specialist healthcare professionals are not required.
Student will also be able to take advantage of the University of Jaén’s unique interdisciplinary training programme to improve their personal and professional competences in the field of Health and Clinical Psychology.
- To equip you with the skills required for practice in the regulated profession of Health Psychology.
- To train you to undertake psychological research, evaluations and interventions on aspects of people’s behaviour and activity that underline their health and wellbeing.
- To train you to apply the basic principles of bioethics and professional deontology in your practice as a healthcare professional.
The applicant must earn a BA degree in Psychology addressing mental health, and particularly, psychological assessment, diagnosis and intervention, along with a strong written and oral communication skills, and a good knowledge of IT and English.
General Requirements
In accordance with Order ECD/1070/2013, of June 12 (establishing the specific requirements for access to the official Master's degrees in General Health Psychology that qualify for the titled and regulated profession of General Health Psychologist), a necessary requirement for access to the Master's Degree in General Health Psychology at the University of Jaén is "possession of a Bachelor's/Graduate degree in Psychology combined, where appropriate, with supplementary training that guarantees the individual has obtained at least 90 ECTS credits of a specifically health-related nature."
This requirement is met by both the Bachelor's degrees in Psychology with curricula including a specialization in Health Psychology adapted to Order CNU/1309/2018, and the Graduate and Bachelor's degrees in Psychology, issued in Spain prior to Order CNU/1309/2018.
Therefore, any applicant with an official Graduate degree in Psychology or a Bachelor's degree in Psychology issued by any Spanish university meets the access requirements for this Master's degree established by law. Foreign degrees approved in Spain up to 2014 will be considered the same.
Requirements for Graduates with Foreign Degrees
Since the entry into force of the Organic Law of the University System, any official foreign university degree in Psychology that meets the requirements established in Order CNU/1309/2018 is valid for access to the Master's Degree in General Health Psychology.
To accredit compliance with these specific access requirements, it is necessary to have, in addition to the Psychology degree, a FAVORABLE certification of compliance with the access requirements for the Master's Degree in General Health Psychology, in accordance with the Resolution of November 16, 2023, of the General Secretariat of Universities, published on December 14 in the Official State Gazette.
This accreditation must be requested from any Spanish university that offers this degree evaluation process and obtained (favorable certification) prior to pre-registration. For access to the Master's Degree in General Health Psychology at the University of Jaén, the favorable certification issued by any Spanish university in accordance with the Resolution of November 16, 2023, will be valid (it must expressly indicate that consultation has been made with the Commission for the Accreditation of Psychology Studies, CAEP).
Candidates for the Master's Degree in General Health Psychology must have the corresponding master's admission procedure with this favorable certification "by the deadline for submitting applications" (Resolution of March 13, 2024, of the General Directorate of University Coordination - Official Gazette of the Regional Government of Andalusia No. 56 of March 20, 2024).
- Important: Those interested can request this accreditation from any Spanish university, taking into account the application procedure and deadline, if any, established by the university.
The Certificate of Equivalence, issued by the Ministry of Universities, does not allow access to this Master's degree and is not a document of homologation for legal purposes nor does it accredit compliance with the requirements established in the Resolution of November 16, 2023, for access to this master's degree.
Obtaining the favorable certification does not guarantee a place on the master's program.
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Accreditation Procedure: Academic Affairs Office UJA
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Application Submission Deadline: From January 12 to 25, 2026
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You can consult the Technical Guidelines governing the accreditation procedure here.
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Merit Assessment Criteria
- Academic Record Criteria:
Student admission will be based 100% on the average grade obtained from the applicant's personal academic transcript in their Psychology Bachelor's or undergraduate degree (or equivalent access qualification).
- Language Requirement:
As this Master's program is taught entirely in Spanish, applicants whose university degree was obtained in an educational system where Spanish is not the official language must demonstrate a C1 level of Spanish proficiency, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), by the deadline set for each admission phase. This requirement is waived for applicants who can prove Spanish nationality or nationality of a Spanish-speaking country.
Admission Cut-off Marks
- IMPORTANT NOTICE: The cut-off mark is determined by the last applicant who is admitted to the program and completes their enrollment. It varies each academic year depending on the number of available places, the number of applicants, and the qualifications they present.
- UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU ASSUME THAT HAVING A SCORE HIGHER THAN THAT LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE FOR PREVIOUS YEARS WILL GUARANTEE ADMISSION IN FUTURE APPLICATION ROUNDS.
You can check the cut-off marks for admission to the Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology in recent academic years by clicking on this link.
Pre-enrolment and allocation of places will be carried out in a centralised manner by the Andalusian Single District Commission. Up-to-date deadlines and procedures can be found on their website.
This link contains specific information from UJA about pre-enrolment and enrolment procedures, deadlines, fees, etc.
The first days of each academic year, the University of Jaén organizes Welcome Days for incoming students. These general sessions are complemented by a specific session of each master's program, in which the master's coordinator, before the start of classes, holds a reception and orientation session aimed at new students in order to show the resources, tools and materials that both the University of Jaén and the master's degree put at their disposal. Detailed information is also provided on specific aspects of the degree (professors, tutors, coordinators, course contents, schedules, methodologies, work pace, materials, use of the virtual platform, teaching spaces, etc.).
The traditional tutoring system is to be expanded by incorporating different figures and activities to guarantee and channel a complete follow-up of the student body.
Tutors will be appointed among the most experienced teachers of the course. They will be in charge of a group of students, providing personal and continuous monitoring, observing their performance, progress and solving their doubts or practical problems. For this purpose, periodical meetings will be scheduled, and group tutoring sessions will be held. Tutors will also be responsible for passing on to other teachers or specialists any questions of a more technical nature raised by their students. In short, tutors are the means by which students can be integrated into the course as a whole.
Subject coordinators will also be appointed to unify the theoretical-practical contents across subjects taught by multiple professors. They will also collaborate in the specialized tutoring functions of the module coordination.
The direction of the Master's thesis is responsible for solving the practical problems posed to the students when carrying out this work. Supervisors will be chosen according to the topics of the research and the interests of the students. All interactions between students and professors that arise as a result of the above functions will be channeled through tutoring sessions. These will have a predefined time and place in the program.
As for the figure of the Master's Coordination, it will have the function of supporting and ensuring the student integration and academic success, without prejudice to the possibility of establishing, according to the decision that the University may take in each case, individualized or personalized tutoring programs. In order to promote the professional orientation of the students, the coordination will keep itself informed and will inform, through the studies of graduates elaborated by the University, about the possible professional projections of the students. In this case, its role will be primarily that of dynamization and orientation.
The University of Jaén’s policy is to centralise the use of the spaces on the campus in order to optimise their occupation while meeting the specific needs of the courses delivered. These shared facilities will be used in part during this degree programme. Although they are not exclusively for use by the students on the programme, it is important to acknowledge their presence as the University allocates certain time slots and facilities to each degree programme from among the available classrooms, laboratories and IT rooms depending on the specific needs of the programmes and in coordination with the other courses taught at the University.
Additional information about University of Jaén facilities:
As well as the resources listed, the University of Jaén offers additional material resources and services, which may be grouped into three main blocks: Library, ICT and Accessibility & Disability Services.
Several of the lectures given by the center as part of its annual series are available on the YouTube channel of the Center for Postgraduate Studies (CEP-UJA). You can access them by clicking on this link.
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Academic Information
This section contains important information and all the links you need to find out more about your degree programme, condensing and supplementing the description provided in the course summary, where you will find additional information.
Distribution of the Study Plan in ECTS Credits by type of course
| TYPE OF COURSE | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| Compulsory | 48 |
| Internship | 30 |
| Master’s Thesis | 12 |
| Total credits | 90 |
BASIC COMPETENCIES
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To possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context.
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That students know how to apply the knowledge acquired and their problem-solving capacity in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
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That students are able to integrate knowledge and handle the complexity of making judgements based on information which, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgements.
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That students know how to communicate their conclusions—and the knowledge and ultimate reasons that support them—to specialised and non-specialised audiences in a clear and unambiguous manner.
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That students possess the learning skills that enable them to continue studying in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous.
GENERAL COMPETENCIES
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To apply the foundations of bioethics and the method of deliberation in professional practice, adjusting their practice as a health professional in accordance with the provisions of Law 44/2003, of 21 November, regarding the regulation of health professions, and the updates to said law.
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To formulate working hypotheses in research and to collect and critically assess information for problem-solving, applying the scientific method.
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Knowledge of the obligations and responsibilities of health personnel regarding the confidentiality of information and the protection of patients' personal data.
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Knowledge of current regulations in the Spanish healthcare sector.
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To critically analyse and utilise clinical information sources.
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To know in depth the psychological nature of human behaviour, as well as the social and biological factors that may affect it.
TRANSVERSAL SKILLS (TRANSFERABLE SKILLS)
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To know how to communicate and interact with other professionals, and to master the skills necessary for teamwork and working in multidisciplinary groups.
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To know the activities necessary for the constitution, launch, and management of a company, its different legal forms, and the associated legal, accounting, and fiscal obligations.
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To utilise information and communication technologies (ICT) in professional performance.
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To carry out work from the perspective of quality and continuous improvement, with the self-critical capacity necessary for responsible professional performance.
SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
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To acquire, develop, and put into practice a concept of integral health, incorporating its bio-psycho-social components, in accordance with the guidelines established by the WHO.
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To demonstrate interpersonal communication skills and appropriate emotional management for effective interaction with patients, relatives, and caregivers during the processes of problem identification, assessment, communication of the diagnosis, and psychological intervention and follow-up.
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To draft psychological reports in a manner appropriate to the intended recipients.
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To know the framework of action of the General Health Psychologist (Psicólogo General Sanitario) and know how to refer to the corresponding specialist professional.
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To know in depth the psychological nature of disorders of human behaviour.
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To know in depth the psychosocial factors associated with health and disease problems.
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To know in depth the biological and psychosocial factors associated with health and disease problems, especially those related to mental health.
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To know in depth the different models of assessment and intervention in the field of General Health Psychology, as well as the techniques and procedures derived from them for addressing behavioural disorders and psychological factors associated with health problems.
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To plan, carry out, and, where appropriate, supervise the process of psychological assessment of human behaviour and of the psychological factors associated with health problems in order to establish an evaluation thereof.
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To design, develop, and, where appropriate, supervise and evaluate psychological intervention plans and programmes, based on the psychological assessment and the individual and social variables concurrent in each case.
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To carry out promotion and education activities for individual and community psychological health.
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To know the basic elements of Occupational Health and Safety Psychology.
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To know how to implement development and intervention programmes for the fostering of healthy organisations.
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To be able to assess and intervene regarding psychosocial risks in organisations.
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To know the fundamental differentiating elements (both at a conceptual and practical level) between third-generation therapies and traditional cognitive-behavioural techniques and treatments.
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To apply clinical strategies derived from the therapeutic model of experiential avoidance and behavioural flexibility to different health problems.
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To know and utilise the different research methods and designs, as well as data analysis techniques specific to Psychology, in professional practice and health research.
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To know the importance of the client's and the Psychologist's personal values and to learn to maintain emotional distance regarding the problems in which they intervene.
First Year
|
|
First Year Subjects | ||
|
Sem. |
Module |
Language |
Credits |
|
1st |
Scientific Methodology in General Health Psychology |
Spanish |
3 |
|
1st |
Neuropsychological Assessment and Rehabilitation |
Spanish |
4 |
|
1st |
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention |
Spanish |
4 |
|
1st |
General Health Psychology: Professional and Employment Framework |
Spanish |
3 |
|
1st |
Occupational Health |
Spanish |
4 |
|
1st |
Psychological Intervention in Chronic Illnesses |
Spanish |
5 |
|
1st |
Psychological Assessment and Intervention in Adults I |
Spanish |
4 |
|
1st |
Core Skills for the General Health Psychologist |
Spanish |
3 |
|
2nd |
Psychological Assessment and Intervention in Children and Adolescents |
Spanish |
6 |
|
2nd |
Psychological Assessment and Intervention in Adults II |
Spanish |
4 |
|
2nd |
Third Generation Therapies in the Health Sector |
Spanish |
4 |
|
2nd |
Psychological Assessment and Intervention in Older Adults |
Spanish |
4 |
|
2nd |
External Placements I |
Spanish |
12 |
Second Year
|
|
Second Year Subjects | ||
|
Sem. |
Module |
Language |
Credits |
|
2nd |
External Placements II |
Spanish |
18 |
|
1st, 2nd |
Master's Thesis |
Spanish |
12 |
Access to the Academic Guide of Subjects
Module Guides from Previous Years
You can view and download the information and documents related to the academic calendar and schedule for this degree by clicking here (opens in a new window).
You can check the tutoring schedule by clicking here (opens in a new window)
For any additional questions regarding tutoring hours, you can contact the teaching staff directly via email. Their contact information can be found by clicking here.
The Master’s Dissertation includes the submission of a written report and a public defense of the work carried out, in accordance with the specifications outlined in the new regulations governing Final Academic Projects at the University of Jaén.
In the "Master’s Dissertation" section of the Postgraduate Studies Center (CEP-UJA) website, you will find key information regarding the dissertation process.
You can consult and download information and documents related to the Master's Dissertation by clicking here (opens in a new window).
In a world where information, culture, and society are increasingly globalized, extending your academic experience to other Spanish and international universities is essential for enhancing your curriculum.
Are you a UJA master's student looking for mobility opportunities?
In addition to the mobility programs available in our international calls section and the mobility grants and scholarships offered by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, the University of Jaén provides specific funding for international mobility, language proficiency development programs, and cultural exchange opportunities. These resources help you gain a competitive edge in the job market once you complete your studies.
You can also benefit from Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs)—short-term, innovative learning initiatives funded by Erasmus+. These programs combine online learning with physical mobility, promoting flexible student mobility and transnational collaboration on specific challenges, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, you can earn academic recognition for participating in these activities.
Are you an international student looking to pursue your master's degree at UJA through a mobility program?
We offer specific mobility grants to help eligible students study their master's degree at UJA under agreements established with organizations such as the Asociación Universitaria Iberoamericana de Postgrado (AUIP), Fundación Carolina, and others.
You can find all this information in the "Movilidad internacional" section of the Centro de Estudios de Postgrado.
The European Supplement is the document that accompanies the official university degree and is valid throughout the national territory with unified information, personalised for each university graduate, on the studies completed, the results obtained, the professional skills acquired and the level of their qualification in the national higher education system.
You can obtain information on how to obtain it by clicking here (opens in a new window).
Career Guidance
Participating in extracurricular external academic internships provides significant benefits for students’ training while offering host companies a direct insight into their skills, competencies, and academic background.
The University of Jaén recognizes that practical experience is a key component of professional preparation, providing students with numerous opportunities for extracurricular external academic internships.
What are extracurricular external academic internships?
These are voluntary internships that students can undertake during their studies. While they serve the same purpose as curricular internships, they are not part of the official study plan.
For more information about external academic internships, click here.
Can I participate in extracurricular external academic internships program?
If you are enrolled in an official master's degree at the University of Jaén and registered in the ÍCARO program, you are eligible to participate in the University’s extracurricular external academic internship program.
What are the general characteristics of extracurricular internships?
The main characteristics of the extracurricular external academic internship program are:
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Duration: 3 to 6 months
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Minimum stipend paid by the company: €210/month
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Fee paid by the company to the University: €30/month
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Internship activities must be related to the student’s academic field
How do I register on the ÍCARO platform?
Registering on the ÍCARO platform is a simple process. Click here to begin registration and follow the steps outlined in this student guide.
What internship opportunities are available?
Once registered on the ÍCARO platform, you can browse available internship opportunities. At the University of Jaén, it is not necessary to apply directly for specific internship offers. Instead, the Student Support and Assistance Service provides companies and institutions with a list of students who meet the required profile for each internship offer.
Are there other types of extracurricular academic internships outside of companies?
Yes, other types of extracurricular internships are available. The University of Jaén itself offers opportunities to complete internships within its research groups or administrative services.
Check the open calls by clicking here.
Discover More Opportunities
Visit our Employment, Internship, and Entrepreneurship Portal to explore more information on academic internships and access a wide range of resources designed to facilitate your entry into the workforce. Here, you will find job offers, employment training, career counseling, entrepreneurial training, startup initiatives, and much more.
The Master’s Degree in Health Psychology at the University of Jaén is designed with your future employability in mind, opening the doors to a multitude of careers, including the regulated profession of Health Psychology in the field of Health and Clinical Psychology. You will be qualified to work at psychological health centres such as psychology practices, associations for people with psychological disorders and their relatives, early childhood care centres, private hospitals and healthcare centers, old people’s homes, etc.
Coordination and Quality
The Academic Coordination Committee is the collegiate body responsible for the academic direction and management of the degree, interacting directly with the students, organising the teaching programme, the calendar and, in general, all the academic processes that allow for the optimum development of the courses. It is also responsible for implementing the processes of continuous improvement of the teaching that emanate from the application of the degree's Quality Assurance System.
The Academic Coordination Committee has merged with the Internal Quality Assurance Committee of the master's degree and has taken on all its functions following the implementation of the Quality Assurance System of the Centre for Postgraduate Studies.
You can consult and download information about the Master's Academic Coordination Committee by clicking here (opens in a new window).
The Quality Assurance Commission of the Centre for Postgraduate Studies is responsible for the planning and monitoring of the Quality Assurance System, created for the design and implementation of the QMS at CEP-UJA.
The functions of this Committee are the following:
1. To verify the planning of the Centre's QMS, so as to ensure compliance with the general requirements of the QMS Manual, the Quality Policy and the Centre's Objectives and the requirements set out in the protocols for external assessment of degrees (verification, monitoring, modification, renewal of accreditation), the certification of the implementation of the quality assurance system, as well as others that may affect CEP-UJA's scope of action.
2. To define and review the CEP-UJA's quality policy.
3. To identify and define the CEP-UJA's strategic objectives.
4. To periodically review the degree of compliance with the CEP-UJA's strategic objectives.
5. To monitor the effectiveness of the processes included in the QMS, analysing the values achieved in the QMS indicators.
6. To analyse the content of external evaluation reports in internal reports generated in the QMS.
7. To develop and apply the mechanisms for quality control and improvement of the degrees that are under the scope of the CEP-UJA.
8. To periodically review the CEP-UJA improvement plan.
9. To review the information related to CEP-UJA that is published on the web.
10. To periodically gather and analyse information on the need to adapt the infrastructures, material resources and services provided, taking into account the specific characteristics of each degree programme.
11. To ensure compliance with the applicable regulations on the Master’s Dissertation in all its phases, collecting and analysing the results obtained from the management of the Master’s Dissertation and proposing the corresponding improvement actions.
12. To prepare those reports attributed by the quality assurance system or by the governing bodies of the University of Jaén.
13. To coordinate the implementation, development and monitoring of the centre's quality assurance system.
14. To carry out any other functions attributed in the quality assurance system of the centre.
You can consult and download information about the Quality Assurance Commission of the CEP by clicking here (opens in a new window).
The quality assurance system of the University of Jaén is structured in two levels of responsibility. On the one hand, through the Vice-rectorate with competences that coordinates the quality assessment processes of the degrees, departments and services and, on the other hand, through the Centre responsible for the degree, which applies its Quality Assurance System.
You can consult and download the improvement plan for this degree by clicking here (opens in a new window).
All the official degrees of the University of Jaén are subject to different evaluation processes carried out by the Agency for Scientific and University Quality of Andalusia (ACCUA). To access the evaluation reports of this degree related to the verification, modification, monitoring and renewal of accreditation, select it in the ACCUA degree evaluation reports application.
You can also consult and download the reports related to the degree by clicking here.
In the SGC Key Indicators section, you will find relevant information about the Postgraduate Studies Center (CEP) as well as other centers of the University of Jaén, regarding academic performance, employability, mobility, and more. You can also access the CEP satisfaction results by clicking here. Additionally, you can find more details in the University of Jaén's statistical yearbook.
For data specifically related to the Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology, you can access them by clicking on this link.
An important element in the analysis of the quality of the degree are the studies on the employability of graduates of the University of Jaén, in which you can find the most common professional opportunities for people who studied this master's degree before you.
The Academic Coordination Committee of the Master's Degree shall carry out those functions assigned to it by the Academic Director of the Master's Degree in the exercise of the functions of coordination and organisation of the teaching of the corresponding Master's Degree. In this sense, the Academic Coordination Committee may carry out, among other tasks, teaching planning, coordination of the subjects in the syllabus, monitoring of syllabus activities, preparation of class schedules, preparation of the exam calendar, presentation of proposals for improvement, as well as any other action related to the Quality Assurance System of the Centre for Postgraduate Studies that applies to the Master's degree.
You can consult and download the information and documents related to the teaching coordination mechanisms by clicking here (opens in a new window).