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Concurrent Degree Programme – Department of Psychology
Program Overview
Concurrent Degree Programme
The Concurrent Degree Programme [B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) and M.Soc.Sci. in Psychology] is designed for psychology majors who wish to make a seamless transition to the Master's programme, securing two degrees in five years. This programme aims to equip graduates with strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, as well as domain expertise in their chosen area of research.
Overview
The programme provides students with the opportunity to work on an Integrated Thesis, which reflects their ability to independently conduct quality research that makes meaningful connections to the extant literature. Students will also be encouraged to attend and present their work at international conferences.
Programme Structure
Candidates must successfully complete 176 units of coursework, including:
- 16 units of graduate courses
- Integrated Thesis
- Additional research course (PL3231/PL328x)
- PL3239 (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)
- PL4201 (Psychometrics and Psychological Testing)
At the graduate level, candidates will take:
- PL6770 (Graduate Research Seminar)
- PL5221 (Analysis of Psychological Data using GLM)
- PL5222 (Multivariate Statistics in Psychology)
- A core or elective course (depending on graduation requirements for the respective cohorts)
Programme Requirements
To graduate, candidates must pass at least 176 units of courses and fulfill the requirements of both the B.Soc.Sci. (Honours) and M.Soc.Sci. (Psychology by Research) programmes.
Other Requirements
- Attend workshops prescribed by the department.
- Attend at least 5 departmental research seminars.
- Give one research presentation during the candidacy.
- Obtain satisfactory grades (at least grade C) in graduate English courses conducted by the Centre for English Language Communication at intermediate level.
Continuation Criteria
CDP candidates will be officially enrolled in the programme at the beginning of Semester 7. To remain in the programme, candidates' SJGPA (based on both undergraduate and graduate PL courses) must not fall below 4.0 over two consecutive semesters.
GPA Computation
The undergraduate GPA is based on the grades for the undergraduate courses (Level 4000 and below) and the integrated thesis, while the graduate GPA is based on the four required graduate courses (Level 5000 and above).
Degrees Awarded
Candidates will typically graduate at the end of their 10th semester. On completion of the programme, subject to meeting the graduation requirements, candidates will be awarded with the B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.) and the M.Soc.Sci. in Psychology.
Exit Strategies
Candidates who opt out of the programme, or who are unable to fulfill continuation requirements, can graduate with the B.A. or B.Soc.Sci. (Hons.), subject to meeting graduation requirements.
CDP Recommended Timeline
| Semester | Milestones |
|---|---|
| 7* | Start work on the Integrated Thesis, coursework (4 courses) |
| 8 | Continue work on the Integrated Thesis, coursework (2 courses) |
| 9 | Data collection for the Integrated Thesis should be completed, coursework (1 course) |
| 10 | Integrated Thesis should be submitted, coursework (2 courses) |
Notes
- Integrated Thesis: The scope and requirements of the integrated thesis will be identical to that of the Master's thesis. The word limit for the thesis is 30,000 words, and should conform to APA guidelines.
- Dedicated CDP Coordinator: Each CDP candidate will be jointly mentored by their supervisor and the CDP coordinator.
- Extension of Candidature: CDP candidates who need to extend their candidature period beyond the 10th semester due to extenuating circumstances may apply for an extension, subject to approval by the Department and the Graduate Studies Division.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Concurrent Degree Programme is both competitive and selective. Shortlisted candidates will undergo a rigorous admissions selection process, which includes:
- Majoring in Psychology
- Passed the following essential courses (PL1101E, PL2131, PL2132, PL3102/PL3232, PL3103/PL3233, PL3104/PL3234, PL3105/PL3235, PL3106/PL3236, and PL3231 OR PL328x)
- Grade Point Average (GPA) ≥ 4.0 & Psychology Subject Grade Point Average (SJGPA) ≥ 4.3 (at the time of application)
- Average grade of A- for PL2131, PL2132, and either PL3231 or PL328x (no lower than B+ for any of these courses)
- TWO (or more) recommendation/referee letters
- Personal Statement and a rank-ordered list of potential thesis supervisors
Candidates will also be required to attend an interview session.
Application Instructions and Deadline
Admission to the programme is by invitation only. Eligible students will receive an email invitation in Semester 5 and should submit their application by the following deadlines within the same semester: 15 November for the August intake and 15 May for the January intake. The admission results will be released in Semester 6. Successful applicants will be officially enrolled in the programme in Semester 7.
Graduation Requirements
Cohort 2016
Undergraduate Courses
- Pass PL1101E Introduction to Psychology.
- Pass at least 84 units of PL courses or PL-recognised courses, which include:
- PL2131 Research and Statistical Methods I
- PL2132 Research and Statistical Methods II
- PL3232 or PL3102 Biological Psychology
- PL3233 or PL3103 Cognitive Psychology
- PL3234 or PL3104 Developmental Psychology
- PL3235 or PL3105 Social Psychology
- PL3236 or PL3106 Mental Health and Distress
- PL3231 Independent Research Project
- One of the PL328x lab courses
- PL3239 Industrial and Organisational Psychology
- PL4201 (5 units)/PL4201HM (5 units) Psychometrics and Psychological Testing
- PL4501 (15 units)/PL4501HM (15 units) Integrated Thesis
- A minimum of 24 units at level-2000 or higher (excluding the courses above), with:
- A minimum of 20 units at level-4000 or higher
- A maximum of one other PL328x lab course not taken in (ix) above
- A maximum of 2 PL courses at level-5000
- A maximum of 2 PL-recognised courses
Graduate Courses
Pass at least 16 units of PL courses, which include:
- PL5221 Analysis of Psychological Data using GLM
- PL5222 Multivariate Statistics in Psychology
- PL6770 Graduate Research Seminar
- Core course (PL5303, PL5304, PL5305, PL5306, PL5307, OR PL5308)
Cohort 2017
Undergraduate Courses
- Pass PL1101E Introduction to Psychology.
- Pass at least 84 units of PL courses or PL-recognised courses, which include:
- PL2131 Research and Statistical Methods I
- PL2132 Research and Statistical Methods II
- PL3232 or PL3102 Biological Psychology
- PL3233 or PL3103 Cognitive Psychology
- PL3234 or PL3104 Developmental Psychology
- PL3235 or PL3105 Social Psychology
- PL3236 or PL3106 Mental Health and Distress
- PL3231 Independent Research Project
- One of the PL328x lab courses
- PL3239 Industrial and Organisational Psychology
- PL4201 (5 units)/PL4201HM (5 units) Psychometrics and Psychological Testing
- PL4501 (15 units)/PL4501HM (15 units) Integrated Thesis
- A minimum of 24 units at level-2000 or higher (excluding the courses above), with:
- A minimum of 20 units at level-4000 or higher
- A maximum of one other PL328x lab course not taken in (ix) above
- A maximum of 2 PL courses at level-5000
- A maximum of 2 PL-recognised courses
Graduate Courses
Pass at least 16 units of PL courses, which include:
- PL5221 Analysis of Psychological Data using GLM
- PL5222 Multivariate Statistics in Psychology
- PL6770 Graduate Research Seminar
- One elective course [can be 4000*, 5000, or 6000 level courses; within or outside of one’s area. In lieu of a content course, the elective can be fulfilled by doing an Independent Study Course (i.e. PL5660) with a faculty member who is NOT the primary supervisor.]
* Students intending to register for PL level-4000 courses and have them count towards their GRAD career should submit an appeal through CourseReg, under Appeal Type “Unable to secure course”, after the results of “Select Course (Round 3)” are released. Please note that courses registered under the UGRD career CANNOT be counted towards the GRAD career.
Cohort 2018
Undergraduate Courses
- Pass PL1101E Introduction to Psychology.
- Pass at least 84 units of PL courses or PL-recognised courses, which include:
- PL2131 Research and Statistical Methods I
- PL2132 Research and Statistical Methods II
- PL3232 or PL3102 Biological Psychology
- PL3233 or PL3103 Cognitive Psychology
- PL3234 or PL3104 Developmental Psychology
- PL3235 or PL3105 Social Psychology
- PL3236 or PL3106 Mental Health and Distress
- PL3231 Independent Research Project
- One of the PL328x lab courses
- PL3239 Industrial and Organisational Psychology
- PL4201 (5 units)/PL4201HM (5 units) Psychometrics and Psychological Testing
- PL4202 (5 units)/PL4202HM (5 units) History and Systems of Psychology OR PL4242 (5 units)/PL4242HM (5 units) Historical Controversies in Psychology OR PL4245 (5 units)/PL4245HM (5 units) Data Science for Psychology: Methods and Applications OR PL4246 (5 units)/PL4246HM (5 units) Networks in Psychology
- PL4501 (15 units)/PL4501HM (15 units) Integrated Thesis
- A minimum of 19 units at level-2000 or higher (excluding the courses above), with:
- A minimum of 15 units at level-4000 or higher
- A maximum of one other PL328x lab course not taken in (ix) above
- A maximum of 2 PL courses at level-5000
- A maximum of 2 PL-recognised courses
Graduate Courses
Pass at least 16 units of PL courses, which include:
- PL5221 Analysis of Psychological Data using GLM
- PL5222 Multivariate Statistics in Psychology
- PL6770 Graduate Research Seminar
- One elective course [can be 4000*, 5000, or 6000 level courses; within or outside of one’s area. In lieu of a content course, the elective can be fulfilled by doing an Independent Study Course (i.e. PL5660) with a faculty member who is NOT the primary supervisor.]
* Students intending to register for PL level-4000 courses and have them count towards their GRAD career should submit an appeal through CourseReg, under Appeal Type “Unable to secure course”, after the results of “Select Course (Round 3)” are released. Please note that courses registered under the UGRD career CANNOT be counted towards the GRAD career.
Cohort 2021 onwards
Undergraduate Courses
Pass at least 64 units of PL courses or PL-recognised courses, which include:
- PL1101E Introduction to Psychology
- PL2131 Research and Statistical Methods I
- PL2132 Research and Statistical Methods II
- PL3102 Biological Psychology
- PL3103 Cognitive Psychology
- PL3104 Developmental Psychology
- PL3105 Social Psychology
- PL3106 Mental Health and Distress
- PL3231 Independent Research Project
- One of the PL328x lab courses
- PL3239 Industrial and Organisational Psychology
- PL4201 Psychometrics and Psychological Testing (4 units)
- PL4501 Integrated Thesis (8 units)
- A minimum of 8 units at level-4000 or higher (excluding the courses above), with:
- A minimum of 4 units from the Biological, Cognitive and Developmental group*;
- A minimum of 4 units from the Abnormal/Clinical, Social and Applied group*;
- A maximum of 4 units at level-4000 mapped from exchange;
- A maximum of 4 units at level-5000
Graduate Courses
Pass at least 16 units of PL courses, which include:
- PL5221 Analysis of Psychological Data using GLM
- PL5222 Multivariate Statistics in Psychology
- PL6770 Graduate Research Seminar
- One elective course [can be 4000*, 5000, or 6000 level courses; within or outside of one’s area. In lieu of a content course, the elective can be fulfilled by doing an Independent Study Course (i.e. PL5660) with a faculty member who is NOT the primary supervisor.]
* Students intending to register for PL level-4000 courses and have them count towards their GRAD career should submit an appeal through CourseReg, under Appeal Type “Unable to secure course”, after the results of “Select Course (Round 3)” are released. Please note that courses registered under the UGRD career CANNOT be counted towards the GRAD career.
