With the publication in the Official Gazette on April 5, 2025 (No. 80), the Ministry of Universities and Research has formalized an important decree, signed on December 19, 2024 by the Minister of Universities and Research, Hon. Anna Maria Bernini, which represents a historic milestone for the academic and professional recognition of psychology degrees issued by the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) and the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences "Auxilium".
The decree, which regulates the qualification for the profession of psychologist in Italy for holders of a Licentiate in Psychology obtained from UPS and Auxilium, establishes that these degrees will grant direct access to qualification following the completion of a practical-evaluation internship and an evaluative practical exam, as stipulated by Law No. 163/2021 and Interministerial Decree No. 567/2022.
The new ministerial decree, the result of work led by the Commission appointed by Rector Magnificus Prof. Don Andrea Bozzolo, composed of the Rector himself, Don Jaroslaw Rochowiak, and Dr. Francesco Langella (who also represented the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences "Auxilium"), allows UPS students to pursue the path toward the psychology profession in Italy without intermediaries or bureaucratic uncertainties.
UPS and Auxilium will be required to sign new agreements with Italian universities to facilitate recognition of the training activities carried out, the practical-evaluation internship, and the practical exam. This will lead to greater integration and collaboration between the pontifical academic community and the national university system.
Heartfelt thanks are extended to the Ministry of Universities and Research and all bodies that worked to achieve this goal.