This program aims to provide students with the required knowledge, skills, exposure, and insights for (1) analyzing human behaviors from a psychological perspective, (2) developing research expertise in applying psychology to relevant settings, and (3) pursuing advanced professional training and a career in psychology and closely related areas. The program is an advanced and intensive conversion degree scheme that combines the award of a Master degree with eligibility for graduate membership with the Hong Kong Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society.

Upon successful completion of this Program, students should be able to:

• critically evaluate major principles/theories in core areas of psychology;
• apply major psychological theories/principles to analyze analyze human behaviors in real life situations;
• critically evaluate research evidence published in psychological journals;
• design and carry out psychological research independently; and
• appreciate the close connection between psychology and everyday experiences.

Programme Features

• Designed primarily to provide degree-holders having no undergraduate training in psychology to pursue further study and a career in psychology.
• Focus on the cultivation of a distinctive blend of knowledge and skills relevant to advanced training and different careers in psychology.
• Multiple concentrations catering for different interests and career aspirations.
• Classes meet primarily on weekday evenings.
• Credit Transfer could be granted for equivalent level of study.

To be eligible for admission, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements and:

• have a recognized bachelor's degree from one of the universities in Hong Kong or from any overseas institutions recognized for this purpose by the University,
• or an equivalent qualification, or
• have evidence of academic and professional attainments acceptable for this purpose by the University, AND
• provide documentary evidence that they have completed a course of introductory psychology offered by a recognized university or institution.

An introductory course in psychology is considered to be a course which is taught at the undergraduate level and (1) provides an overview of major topics in psychology such as biopsychology, perception, cognition, learning, motivation, emotion, intelligence, personality and social psychology, and (2) lasts at least for one semester.

Applicants who have not taken a similar course before will be required to obtain a satisfactory grade from a make-up course before they can be considered for admission. For more details about the make-up course (SS1101 Basic Psychology), please read the Enrollment information.  Applicants who plan to apply for admission to a particular academic year must enroll in the make-up course in the second semester of the preceding academic year or earlier.  Application for enrolment in the make-up course usually starts at the end of the first semester of the preceding academic year.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English should also fulfill the following minimum English proficiency requirement:

• TOEFL score 550 (paper-based test) or 79 (internet-based test); or
• Overall band 6.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or
• Score 450 in the new College English Test (CET-6) of Chinese mainland or a pass in the old CET-6 test; or
• Other equivalent qualifications.

Remarks: For applicants who are interested in choosing the Education stream, preference will be given to those who have had at least 2 years working experience in the educational setting.

Path of Study: Students may obtain the MSocSc degree either by completing Path A/Path B for Applied Psychology Stream, or Path C for Education Stream

• Path A (without dissertation) – 6 common core courses + 4 elective courses
• Path B (with dissertation) – 6 common core courses + 2 elective courses + the dissertation project
• Path C – 6 common core courses + 4 core courses

Programme Structure and Courses
 

1.     Common Core Courses (21 credit units)

Students are required to take 4 courses from Group A, 1 course from Group B and 1 course from Research Method Group to fulfil the requirement for accreditation by British Psychological Society

2.     Courses for Respective Path (12 credit units)

Path A - Applied Psychology Stream without dissertation

Students are required to take 4 electives from below list.

Path B - Applied Psychology Stream with dissertation

Path C - Education Stream

This program is recognized by the Hong Kong Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society. Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of these two professional bodies. However, membership is granted on the basis of individual merits but not automatically upon application.

The master award allows graduates to pursuit further study in psychology via the enrolment in research-based programs (e.g. MPhil or PhD) or professional training (e.g. clinical, educational, occupational, or counseling psychology). A number of graduates of the predecessors of this program have already become either researchers (e.g. college professors) or registered psychologists in clinical, education, occupational or counselling psychology.

Upon graduation, students who are qualified teachers and with a concentration in the Education stream are expected to be competent in teaching in inclusive settings.

Establishment of articulation with master programs in psychology offered by Goldsmiths College is underway. It is expected that automatic progression to master programs offered by Goldsmiths will become possible for eligible graduates.

Department of Applied Social Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences