MA Applied Social Sciences
文學碩士(應用社會科學)
Year of Entry
2018
Application Deadline
Application Closed
Mode of Funding
Non-government-funded
Indicative Intake Target
145
Minimum No. of Credits Required
30
Class Schedule
Weekday evenings
Normal Study Period
Full-time: 1 year; Part-time/Combined mode: 2 years
Maximum Study Period
Full-time: 2.5 years; Part-time/Combined mode: 5 years
Mode of Processing
Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Review of applications will start before the deadline and continue until all places are filled. Early applications are therefore strongly encouraged.
Programme Leader
Dr CHAN King Chi Chris (Sociology)
Bachelor of Business Administration (HKU), MA in Comparative Labour Studies (Warwick), PhD in Sociology (Warwick)
+852 3442 5219
Programme Leader
Dr CHAN, Heng Choon Oliver (Criminology)
B.A. in Psychology (Bemidji State University, MN, USA), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (Marymount University, VA, USA), Ph.D. in Criminology (University of South Florida, FL, USA)
+852 3442 9223
Programme Leader
Dr LEE Tak Yan (Advanced Social Work)
B.S.Sc. CUHK, M.S.W. HK , Ph.D. HK
+852 3442 8978
General Enquiries
+852 3442 8991
Programme Aims and Objectives
The programme aims to train social science practitioners with sound knowledge in the theory and practice to help people, organizations and communities develop innovative solutions, and to accomplish excellence in undertaking research in social sciences.
On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to:
- evaluate major principles/theories in different disciplines in social sciences;
- demonstrate the ability to integrate major principles/theories in analyzing social problems;
- demonstrate the ability to design and conduct research in social sciences; and
- devise innovative practices in social sciences to real-life problems.
Entrance Requirements
To be eligible for admission, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements and:
- hold a bachelor's degree of one of the universities in Hong Kong or from an overseas institution recognized for this purpose by the University; or
- hold such other qualifications as deemed acceptable by University as equivalent to the above.
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
Programme Content
Programme Features
- Students can decide on their own study path, schedule and load for each semester in order to complete the programme in 2 to 5 years. Such flexible nature allows students to pace and plan their own study to best suit their personal and career development needs.
- MA degree with three main streams - 1) Sociology; 2) Criminology and 3) Advanced Social Work. Applicants are required to indicate the selected stream when submitting applications; and admitted students are not allowed a change of stream.
- The Stream courses will be taught by a strong team of experts from sociology, criminology, psychology, social work, counselling & psychology background. Students from various background also form circles to enrich synergy for effective learning.
Stream 1: Sociology
- Core courses provide a solid foundation on applied sociology theories and social research methodologies.
- "Integrative Project" is an opportunity for students to apply sociological theories, methods and ethics. The Project focuses on an actual problem or issue.
- Students can select any two electives from a list of courses in different fields.
Stream 2: Criminology
- The stream aims at training students in becoming competent researchers and/or practitioners at an advanced level in the key areas of policing and offender rehabilitation.
Stream 3: Advanced Social Work
- The Stream is designed to enable front-line workers and middle management personnel in social service fields and particularly the nonprofit sector in East Asian countries and beyond.
- The programme prepares students for new opportunities in the region. The Belt and Road initiative provides a visionary blueprint for energetic economic development in the east and the west and will provide financial support for social service development through the non-profit sector and philanthropic organisations.
- For front-line social service workers, the curriculum provides state-of-the-art exposure to micro-, messo-, and macro- levels social service planning, implementation, and evaluation. It also addresses issues related to social innovations, social problem prevention and intervention, capacity building as well as effective leadership, organisational and social entrepreneurship.
Course Description
There are no intermediate exits, students may obtain the MA degree by completing a total of 6 credit units of common core courses, and
- 18 credit units core courses and 6 credit units for “Sociology Stream” or
- 21 credit units core courses and 3 credit units for “Criminology Stream” or
- 12 credit units core courses and 12 credit units for “Advanced Social Work Stream”
Programme Common Core Courses (6 credit units)
|
Students are required to take 2 programme common Core Course (6 credit units)
|
SS5302
|
Research Methods in Social Sciences
|
3
|
SS5426
|
Social Problems
|
3
|
Streams
|
Students are required to specialize in one of three stream and take the required credits of courses from their chosen stream
Stream 1: Sociology
Stream 2: Criminology
Stream 3: Advanced Social Work
|
Stream 1: Sociology (24 credit Units)
i) Programme Core Courses
Students are required to take 5 courses (18 credit units)
|
SS5400
|
Applied Sociology
|
3
|
SS5401
|
Social Science Perspectives
|
3
|
SS5423
|
Programme Design & Evaluation
|
3
|
SS5428
|
Applied Social Statistical Analysis
|
3
|
SS6591
|
Integrative Project
|
6
|
ii) Programme Electives
Students are required to take any 2 courses (6 credit units)
|
SS5110
|
Assessment and Interventions in Mental Health Counselling
|
3
|
SS5204#
|
Penology & Rehabilitation of Offenders
|
3
|
SS5303#
|
Criminal Justice in Hong Kong and the Pacific
|
3
|
SS5315#
|
Strategic Leadership for Human Services
|
3
|
SS5316#
|
Aggressive Behavior and Homicide
|
3
|
SS5427
|
Special Topics in Applied Sociology
|
3
|
SS5802#
|
Group Counselling and Therapy
|
3
|
SS5805#
|
Narrative-based Therapeutic Conversations: Theory and Practice
|
3
|
SS5822#
|
Family-based Service and Family Practice
|
3
|
SS5824
|
Domestic Violence: Prevention and Treatment
|
3
|
SS5832
|
Counselling Older Adults
|
3
|
SS5835
|
Labour and Workplace Relations
|
3
|
SS6401
|
Social Impact Assessment
|
3
|
SS6402
|
Social Indicators Development
|
3
|
#subject to approval
Stream 2: Criminology (24 credit units)
i) Programme Core Courses
Students are required to take 6 courses (21 credit units)
|
SS5204
|
Penology & Rehabilitation of Offenders
|
3
|
SS5301
|
Advanced Theories in Criminology
|
3
|
SS5304
|
Psychology and Crime
|
3
|
SS5305
|
Policing Studies
|
3
|
SS5803
|
Psychopathology
|
3
|
SS6308
|
Master’s Thesis in Criminology
|
6
|
ii) Programme Electives
Students are required to take any 1 course (3 credit units)
|
SS5110
|
Assessment and Interventions in Mental Health Counselling
|
3
|
SS5208
|
Cognitive-behavioural Interventions
|
3
|
SS5303
|
Criminal Justice in Hong Kong and the Pacific
|
3
|
SS5315#
|
Strategic Leadership for Human Services
|
3
|
SS5316
|
Aggressive Behavior and Homicide
|
3
|
SS5802
|
Group Counselling and Therapy
|
3
|
SS5824
|
Domestic Violence: Prevention and Treatment
|
3
|
#subject to approval
Stream 3: Advanced Social Work (24 credit units)
i) Programme Core Courses
Students are required to take 4 courses (12 credit units)
|
SS5111
|
Social Welfare Policy System and Reform
|
3
|
SS5112
|
Social Welfare Management
|
3
|
SS5114
|
Legal Issues for the Social Worker
|
3
|
SS5315
|
Strategic Leadership for Human Services
|
3
|
ii) Programme Electives
Students are required to take any 4 course (12 credit units)
|
SS5110
|
Assessment and Interventions in Mental Health Counselling
|
3
|
SS5116
|
Empowerment-oriented Practice with Socially Disadvantaged Groups
|
3
|
SS5204
|
Penology & Rehabilitation of Offenders
|
3
|
SS5208
|
Cognitive-Behavioural Interventions
|
3
|
SS5301#
|
Advanced Theories in Criminology
|
3
|
SS5303#
|
Criminal Justice in Hong Kong and the Pacific
|
3
|
SS5304#
|
Psychology and Crime
|
3
|
SS5305#
|
Policing Studies
|
3
|
SS5316#
|
Aggressive Behavior and Homicide
|
3
|
SS5400#
|
Applied Sociology
|
3
|
SS5401#
|
Social Science Perspectives
|
3
|
SS5423#
|
Programme Design & Evaluation
|
3
|
SS5427#
|
Special Topics in Applied Sociology
|
3
|
SS5428#
|
Applied Social Statistical Analysis
|
3
|
SS5802
|
Group Counselling and Therapy
|
3
|
SS5803#
|
Psychopathology
|
3
|
SS5805
|
Narrative-based Therapeutic Conversations: Theory and Practice
|
3
|
SS5821
|
Counselling Children and Youth
|
3
|
SS5822
|
Family-based Service and Family Practice
|
3
|
SS5824
|
Domestic Violence: Prevention and Treatment
|
3
|
SS5832
|
Counselling Older Adults
|
3
|
SS5835
|
Labour and Workplace Relations
|
3
|
SS6401
|
Social Impact Assessment
|
3
|
SS6402#
|
Social Indicators Development
|
3
|
#subject to approval
Career
Stream 1: Sociology
Sample areas of employment in applied sociology are, for example, in the following fields and organizations: private research and consulting firms, government and public sector organizations, political parties and interest groups, third sector and civil society organizations, marketing and advertising firms, public relations and media firms, social services agencies, and education sector.
Graduates may also pursue postgraduate programmes in sociology, psychology, social welfare and human services at Doctoral level.
Stream 2: Criminology
Graduates in criminology could pursue a career in law enforcement/ disciplinary forces (e.g., Hong Kong Police Force, Hong Kong Correctional Services Department, Independent Commission Against Corruption, Hong Kong Immigration Department, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, and Hong Kong Fire Services Department), private security agencies (e.g., corporate security firms, threat assessment and management agencies, anti-fraud agencies, and private investigative agencies), and non-governmental organizations that serve the forensic and related populations (e.g., ex-offenders, drug abusers, victims of crime, and at-risk youth). Graduates may also pursue postgraduate programmes in criminology, criminal justice, and other related fields (e.g., forensic psychology, law, and social work) at the doctoral level.
Stream 3: Advanced Social Work
Graduates are competent to work in community work, social and human services, educational institutions, civil service, public relations, police and correctional as well as commercial settings.
Successful completion of this stream in the MAASS programme will not qualify the graduate for application for registration as a Registered Social Worker through the Social Workers Registration Board in Hong Kong.
Remarks
Applicant should state their answers of the below questions under “personal statement” on the admission system.
- Please indicate the Stream you selected (Sociology/Criminology/Advanced Social Work)
- Please give reason(s) for studying this stream.
- In what ways may this stream enhance your career/ professional development?
- Have you studied any relevant courses? If yes, please specify.
- Relevant experiences in this stream.