Modelling Individual Educational Trajectories for Future Psychologists: A Ukrainian Case Study in Sustainable Higher Education

Authors

  • Roman Pavliuk PhD in Education, Professor (Associate), Deputy Dean on Academic Affairs, Faculty of Psychology and Special Education, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Nataliia Klishevych PhD in Education, Professor (Associate), Dean of the Faculty of Psychology and Special Education, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Iryna Muzychenko PhD in Psychology, Deputy Dean on Scientific and International Affairs, Faculty of Psychology and Special Education, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Kateryna Vasylets Deputy Dean on Scientific-Pedagogical and Socio-Humanitarian Work, Faculty of Psychology and Special Education, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Svitlana Kalishchuk Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Head of the Department of Psychology of Personality and Social Practices, Faculty of Psychology and Special Education, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Tetiana Tsiuman PhD in Education, Professor (Associate), Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology of Personality and Social Practices, Faculty of Psychology and Special Education, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Olena Lytvynenko Doctor of Psychology, Professor (Associate), Head of the Department of Practical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Special Education, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Bohdan Pleskach PhD in Psychology, Professor (Associate), Associate Professor of the Department of Practical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Special Education, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Oleksandr Kotliar PhD in Psychology, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Psychology of Personality and Social Practices, Faculty of Psychology and Special Education, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
  • Vitalii Ulybin PhD in Journalism, Lecturer of the Department of Journalism and New Media, Faculty of Journalism, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, Kyiv, Ukraine.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14207/ejsd.2026.v15n4p587

Keywords:

individual educational trajectory, psychology students, student agency, professional self-determination, programme choice, sustainable higher education, SDG 4

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and preliminarily evaluate a model for supporting individual educational trajectories among first-year psychology students through structured familiarisation with available educational programmes. Design/methodology/approach: A single-site sequential mixed-methods case study combined baseline and post-course surveys of 146 students with three stages of focus group work involving university staff. Descriptive statistics and structured qualitative synthesis were used to integrate student preferences and expert recommendations. Findings: Personal preferences and beliefs influenced all respondents’ choices; 77% also considered employment prospects and societal relevance, and 41% considered programme content. After completing the Professional Self-Determination Training course, 61 students (42%) selected a programme different from their preliminary preference. The resulting model integrates ranked programme preferences, academic guidance, academic performance, and programme capacity requirements. Originality/value: The study presents an institution-level approach to informed programme choice that may strengthen student agency and support the quality, relevance, and adaptability of higher education in line with SDG 4.

 

Keywords: individual educational trajectory, psychology students, student agency, professional self-determination, programme choice, sustainable higher education, SDG 4

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Published

2026-10-01

How to Cite

Pavliuk, R. ., Klishevych, N. ., Muzychenko, I. ., Vasylets, K. ., Kalishchuk, S. ., Tsiuman, T. ., Lytvynenko, O. ., Pleskach, B. ., Kotliar, O. ., & Ulybin, V. . (2026). Modelling Individual Educational Trajectories for Future Psychologists: A Ukrainian Case Study in Sustainable Higher Education. European Journal of Sustainable Development, 15(4), 587. https://doi.org/10.14207/ejsd.2026.v15n4p587

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 4 (2026)

Section

Articles

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.