History of the Faculty of Psychology, UNY

The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) has a long and significant history. Its roots can be traced back to the Pedagogy Division of the Faculty of Literature, Pedagogy, and Philosophy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), which was officially established through Government Regulation No. 37 of 1950. This establishment marked one of the earliest milestones in the development of education and psychology within the institutional lineage that would later become Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta.

1950 — The Beginning

The Pedagogy Division of the Faculty of Literature, Pedagogy, and Philosophy at UGM was officially established through Government Regulation No. 37 of 1950, marking an important milestone in the history of the Faculty of Education and its subsequent development within Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta.

Following an internal restructuring at UGM, the Faculty of Literature, Pedagogy, and Philosophy was divided into three faculties, one of which was the Faculty of Pedagogy. The Department of Psychology, which had initially been part of the Faculty of Pedagogy at UGM, was subsequently separated and became part of the Faculty of Psychology at UGM.

1964 — The Establishment of IKIP Yogyakarta

In 1964, the Faculty of Education at UGM, the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at UGM, and the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Surakarta were merged to establish IKIP Yogyakarta through Presidential Decree No. 1/1963 and Instructions of the Minister of Higher Education and Science and the Minister of Education and Culture No. 32 and 34 of 1964.

The Faculty of Education subsequently became one of the faculties within IKIP Yogyakarta. Following this institutional separation, the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Education of UGM became the Faculty of Psychology at UGM.

1997 — Initial Steps Toward Establishing a Psychology Study Program

In 1997, UNY recruited six psychology lecturers as part of its initial efforts to establish a Psychology Study Program.

However, the establishment process was postponed due to strict regulations imposed by the Psychology Consortium. The lecturers were subsequently assigned to the Guidance and Counseling Study Program at the Faculty of Education, UNY.

1999 — Transformation into Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta

A major transformation took place in 1999 when IKIP Yogyakarta was transformed into Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) based on Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia No. 93 of 1999.

This transformation created broader opportunities for UNY to develop academic programs beyond the field of education, including the development of higher education in psychology.

2014 — Proposal for the Establishment of a Psychology Study Program

A new chapter began in 2014 when seven psychology lecturers from the Faculty of Education, UNY, submitted a proposal to establish a Psychology Study Program.

The proposal received full institutional support and was subsequently submitted to the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia. This initiative marked an important step in the long process toward establishing the Department of Psychology at UNY.

2015 — Establishment of the Department of Psychology

In 2015, UNY officially established the Department of Psychology, comprising two study programs: Bachelor of Psychology and Master of Psychology.

The establishment was based on Rector's Decree of UNY No. 253 of 2015, as well as the decisions of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education No. 37/M/KP/III/2015 and No. 551/E/O/2014.

March 15, 2015, was subsequently designated as the founding date of the Department of Psychology at UNY.

2024–2025 — The Path Toward the Faculty of Psychology

Following UNY's transition to a State University with Legal Entity (PTN-BH) status, the Department of Psychology became the Department of Psychology under the Faculty of Education and Psychology (FIPP).

The journey continued with preparations to reorganize FIPP into two separate faculties: the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Psychology.

The proposal received academic consideration from the UNY Senate on November 25, 2024, followed by non-academic consideration from the Board of Trustees on March 27, 2025.

May 2, 2025 — Establishment of the Faculty of Psychology, UNY

A major milestone in this journey was reached on May 2, 2025. Based on Rector's Decree of UNY No. 2.28/UN34/IV/2025 dated April 28, 2025, the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, was officially established.

The establishment of the Faculty of Psychology marked a strategic step toward addressing the growing need for psychology professionals in society while strengthening UNY's contribution to the advancement of psychological science and national development.

Continuing the Journey, Building the Future

From its historical roots in 1950, through various institutional transformations, to the establishment of the Faculty of Psychology, UNY, on May 2, 2025, each stage has played an important role in shaping the identity and direction of psychology education at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta.

The Faculty of Psychology, UNY, is committed to continuing this journey through education, research, and community engagement, guided by humanistic values and oriented toward character development.