Program Overview

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Master of Social Sciences in the field of Psychology

Overview

The Master of Social Sciences in the field of Psychology (MSocSc(Psy)) programme is designed to provide university graduates with a solid foundation in psychology, including a strong understanding of psychology theories and research methods. The programme aims to bring students to a level where they are eligible to apply for graduate membership of the Hong Kong Psychological Society and prepare them for advanced professional training and a career in psychology and related fields.

Syllabus

The curriculum shall normatively be one academic year for full-time study and two academic years for part-time study. The minimum and maximum periods of registration are respectively one and two academic years for full-time study, and two and three academic years for part-time study.

• Candidates are required to complete 60 credits.
• For the “dissertation” option, candidates are required to complete eight compulsory courses and a dissertation.
• For the “non-dissertation” option, candidates are required to complete eight compulsory courses, a capstone project in psychology, and an elective course from the elective course lists of this programme.

Compulsory Courses

• PSYC7301: Introduction to research methods in psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7302: Research and quantitative methods in psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7303: Biological psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7304: Cognitive psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7305: Developmental psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7306: Personality psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7307: Social psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7319: Introduction to psychopathology (6 credits)

Elective Courses

• PSYC7310: Human neuropsychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7311: Internship in psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7312: Introduction to concepts and approaches of therapeutic psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7313: Introduction to health psychology and wellbeing (6 credits)
• PSYC7314: Professional ethics and issues in psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7315: Psychological testing and measurement (6 credits)
• PSYC7316: Special topics in psychology (6 credits)
• PSYC7318: Introduction to educational psychology (6 credits)

Capstone Experience Courses

• PSYC7308: Dissertation in psychology (12 credits)
• PSYC7317: Capstone project in psychology (6 credits)

Course Outlines

PSYC7301: Introduction to research methods in psychology (6 credits)

This course adopts a practical approach to teaching the analytical aspects of research techniques in psychology. It is designed to provide students with the basic background in research design and data analysis.

PSYC7302: Research and quantitative methods in psychology (6 credits)

This course is designed to extend students’ quantitative and research skills so that they are prepared to conduct their own independent empirical research.

PSYC7303: Biological psychology (6 credits)

This course provides an introduction to biological aspects of behaviour.

PSYC7304: Cognitive psychology (6 credits)

This course covers how humans learn to deal with information from the environment in everyday life.

PSYC7305: Developmental psychology (6 credits)

This course covers current issues in developmental psychology and their applied implications.

PSYC7306: Personality psychology (6 credits)

This course will critically examine a number of theories.

PSYC7307: Social psychology (6 credits)

This course gives an overview of the field which studies the behaviour of individuals in social contexts.

PSYC7319: Introduction to psychopathology (6 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the modern concepts of psychopathology.

PSYC7311: Internship in psychology (6 credits)

Students will have an opportunity to learn to do research as an intern in ongoing empirical research projects under a teacher’s supervision in the Department of Psychology.

PSYC7318: Introduction to educational psychology (6 credits)

This course focuses on how psychological theories are applied to learning, teaching, and the facilitation of human growth.

PSYC7308: Dissertation in psychology (12 credits)

A candidate should conduct an independent empirical investigation of a psychological problem under the supervision of a faculty member.

PSYC7317: Capstone project in psychology (6 credits)

This course comprises an independent research study in an area of psychology of the candidates’ choice, subject to availability of supervision.

Class Timetable

The teaching timetable is available on the programme website.

Dissertation

The dissertation is a compulsory component of the programme, and candidates are required to conduct an independent empirical investigation of a psychological problem under the supervision of a faculty member.

Capstone Project

The capstone project is an optional component of the programme, and candidates are required to conduct an independent research study in an area of psychology of their choice, subject to availability of supervision.

Internship

The internship is an optional component of the programme, and students will have an opportunity to learn to do research as an intern in ongoing empirical research projects under a teacher’s supervision in the Department of Psychology.

Forms

Various forms are available for download on the programme website, including the MSocSc(Psy) Amendment of an Research Ethics, MSocSc(Psy) Application for Exemption from Ethical Approval, and MSocSc(Psy) Special Approval Application Form.

Enquiries

For admission information, please refer to the programme website. The Acting Programme Director is Professor Yuanwei YAO.