Program Overview

Master of Social Sciences in the Field of Clinical Psychology

The Master of Social Sciences (MSocSc) in the field of Clinical Psychology Programme aims to train competent and professional clinical psychologists with an emphasis on science-based practices. The programme is designed to:

1. Train competent and professional clinical psychologists to serve in Chinese societies and beyond.
2. Produce clinical psychologists with high integrity and professionalism who are committed to life-long learning and continuous education.
3. Engage in high impact and leading-edge research in clinical psychology and across disciplines.
4. Make categorical decisions on whether a scientific basis has been established for diagnosis and treatment methods.
5. Make systematic observations in the process of clinical work.
6. Abstract generalities from observations and deduce manipulative hypotheses.
7. Advance clinical psychology in Hong Kong and beyond by developing areas of excellence in training and research with a global presence, regional significance, and an emphasis on the Chinese context.
8. Nurture the next generation of clinical psychologists, who are grounded in evidence-based practice, critical in thinking, socially aware, sensitive to diversity, and devoted to serving those in need.

Since its inception in 1971, the programme has had over 290 graduates. Graduates are eligible to become registered clinical psychologists of the Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS). Graduates are represented in different professional settings, including the Hospital Authority, Social Welfare Department, Department of Health, Correctional Services Department, Hong Kong Police Force, Non-Government Organizations, Student Counseling Centres, and private practice.

Syllabus

The curriculum of the Master of Social Sciences in the field of Clinical Psychology is a two-year (i.e., 24-month) full-time programme. The curriculum consists of a total of 162 credits. Candidates are required to complete 21 compulsory courses, including 15 taught courses (6 credits each) (a total of 90 credits), 5 practicum courses, Practicum I to V with a total of 60 credits, and a dissertation research course given 12 credits (PSYC8006 Dissertation). Each credit-unit is roughly equivalent to 20 hours of student learning activities (including both contact hours and all other forms of student learning activities) for the taught courses and the dissertation, or 30 hours of work for practicum, under supervision of a clinical supervisor.

The courses are as follows:

• First year
  • PSYC7024 – Induction Programme
  • PSYC7029 – Practicum I
  • PSYC7030 – Practicum II
  • PSYC7002 – Assessment of personality and psychopathology
  • PSYC7003 – Individual psychotherapy I
  • PSYC7004 – Individual psychotherapy II
  • PSYC7005 – Psychopathology I
  • PSYC7006 – Psychopathology II
  • PSYC7018 – Cognitive assessment
  • PSYC7019 – Research methods and statistics I
  • PSYC7020 – Research methods and statistics II
  • PSYC7009 – Clinical seminar I
• Second year
  • PSYC8011 – Practicum III
  • PSYC8012 – Practicum IV
  • PSYC8013 – Practicum V
  • PSYC8001 – Clinical seminar II
  • PSYC8003 – Family and group therapy
  • PSYC8004 – Clinical neuropsychology
• First and/or Second year
  • PSYC8002 – Community and health psychology
  • PSYC8005 – Ethics and professional issues
• Capstone Experience Course
  • PSYC8006 – Dissertation
  • PSYC8014 – Psychological Services Unit In-House Practicum

Course Outlines

• PSYC7002 – Assessment of personality and psychopathology (6 credits) This course focuses on the theoretical, practical, and cross-cultural issues related to the assessment of psychopathology and personality.
• PSYC7003 – Individual psychotherapy I (6 credits) This course introduces the common principles and skills of psychotherapies.
• PSYC7004 – Individual psychotherapy II (6 credits) The course focuses on the application of evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of specific psychological disorders in both adults and children.
• PSYC7005 – Psychopathology I (6 credits) In this first course of Psychopathology, students will learn important theoretical concepts in the definition, aetiology, features, and classification of mental disorders.
• PSYC7006 – Psychopathology II (6 credits) This second course of Psychopathology uses a developmental psychopathology perspective to discuss major topics of mental health problems across the life span.
• PSYC7009 – Clinical seminar I (6 credits) A series of skill-training workshops will be offered to prepare students for further practical training in clinical placements.
• PSYC7018 – Cognitive assessment (6 credits) This course provides an introduction to the assessment of cognitive functioning.
• PSYC7019 – Research methods and statistics I (6 credits) The topics in this course include intermediate research methods and statistics.
• PSYC7020 – Research methods and statistics II (6 credits) The topics in this course include intermediate research methods and statistics.
• PSYC7024 – Induction Programme (6 credits) This course aims at engaging trainees in a number of orientation activities designed to provide them with a preliminary understanding of the theoretical and practical issues addressed in the programme.
• PSYC7029 – Practicum I (12 credits) Practicum I is the first of the five practicum courses.
• PSYC7030 – Practicum II (12 credits) Practicum II is the second of the five practicum courses.
• PSYC8001 – Clinical seminar II (6 credits) The seminar provides in-depth clinical case discussions, with a focus on contemporary approaches to treatment planning and execution for a range of complex psychological problems.
• PSYC8002 – Community and health psychology (6 credits) This course provides an overview of the history, context, and development of community psychology and health psychology.
• PSYC8003 – Family and group therapy (6 credits) This course provides an overview of the theories and practice of family and group interventions.
• PSYC8004 – Clinical neuropsychology (6 credits) This course aims to provide an overview of basic functional neuroanatomy and clinical neuropathology.
• PSYC8005 – Ethics and professional issues (6 credits) The focus of this course is on the process of ethical decision making in the professional practice of clinical psychology.
• PSYC8006 – Dissertation (12 credits) While in residence, each student proposes and completes a substantive, scholarly work relevant to clinical psychology.
• PSYC8011 – Practicum III (12 credits) Practicum III is the third of the five practicum courses.
• PSYC8012 – Practicum IV (12 credits) Practicum IV is the fourth of the five practicum courses.
• PSYC8013 – Practicum V (12 credits) Practicum V is the fifth of the five practicum courses.
• PSYC8014 – Psychological Services Unit In-House Practicum (9 credits) This course provides students with hands-on clinical experience in assessment and treatment at the in-house Psychological Services Unit (PSU) at HKU.

Teaching Staff

• Chair Professor: Prof. Tatia Mei-chun LEE
• Associate Professor: Prof. Shirley X. LI
• Assistant Professor: Prof. Wai Sze CHAN
• Assistant Professor: Prof. Frances Jingwen JIN
• Assistant Professor: Prof. Charlene Lok-man LAM
• Assistant Professor: Prof. Vanessa See Heng YIM
• Research Assistant Professor: Dr. Amanda Kingsze CHEUNG
• Principal Lecturer: Dr. Diane Hai-yen HUANG
• Lecturer: Mr. Erich Kai See CHAN

MSocSc (CP) Advisory Panel

• Dr. Amanda Kin Yin MAK (Chairperson)
• Ms. Christine Hak Man CHAN
• Dr. Amos CHEUNG
• Dr. Lorinda L LAM
• Dr. Jeffrey Chak Chun LIU
• Dr. Alison Lai Ping MAK
• Dr. Vivian Wai Ming MAK

Adjunct Professors

• Dr. Chan, Becky Mei Yin (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Chan, Chung Ming Anthony (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Cheung, Chuen Yih Amos (Adjunct Assistant Professor)
• Dr. Hui, Shuk Han (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Kwok, Alice Wai Yee (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Lau, Edmond Kam Lun (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Li, Frendi Wing Sai (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Liu, Chak Chun Jeffrey (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Mak, Lai Ping Alison (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Mak, Wai Ming Vivian (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Tsang, Lucia Yee Ha (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Tsui, Pui Wang Ephraem (Adjunct Associate Professor)
• Dr. Wong, Chee Wing (Adjunct Associate Professor)