Program Overview

Program Overview

The Department of Psychology of HKU offers three postgraduate programmes in educational psychology, including the Master of Social Sciences in the field of Educational Psychology, the Doctor of Psychology in the field of Educational Psychology, and the PhD with a specialization in Educational Psychology. All these programmes adopt a scientist-practitioner model with the aim to prepare educational psychologists who are strong in both research and practice.

Program Structure and Syllabus

The curriculum extends over a minimum of twenty-four months of full-time study or thirty-six months of part-time study. A student shall complete satisfactorily the required courses and a thesis as set out below. The courses cover theoretical and applied aspects of educational psychology. Students may apply for exemption from courses, approval of which is granted only on an individual basis by the Programme Director and Head of Department for submission to Higher Social Sciences Degree Committee and Faculty Board for approval.

• List A
  • PSYC6021 – Supervised reading in specialty of educational psychology
  • PSYC6010 – Conceptual and methodological issues in psychological research I
  • PSYC6011 – Conceptual and methodological issues in psychological research II
  • PSYC6022 – Thesis
  • PSYC6023 – Practical training in specialty of educational psychology
  • PSYC6029 – Clinical seminars
  • GRSC6101 – Responsible conduct of research
  • GRSC6102 – Stream-based responsible conduct of research
• List B
  • PSYC6024 – Research methods in applied educational psychology
  • PSYC8008 – Motivation and learning
  • PSYC6004 – Curriculum and instruction
  • PSYC8007 – Applied developmental psychology
  • PSYC6025 – Postgraduate seminar in scientific writing for psychology
  • PSYC7021 – Postgraduate seminar in cognitive psychology
  • PSYC7022 – Postgraduate seminar in social psychology
  • PSYC7023 – Postgraduate seminar in developmental psychology

Course Descriptions

List A

• PSYC6021 – Supervised reading in specialty of educational psychology: Candidates are required to attend, during the first year, weekly 2-hour research seminars or equivalent relevant to a chosen area of specialization in the field of Educational Psychology.
• PSYC6010 – Conceptual and Methodological Issues in Psychological Research I: First semester course, covering the basic research techniques used in psychological research.
• PSYC6011 – Conceptual and Methodological Issues in Psychological Research II: Second semester problem-based course, adopting a problem-based approach to further students’ knowledge of the techniques used in psychological research.
• PSYC6022 – Thesis: Candidates will complete a thesis that embodies a critical study within the field of educational psychology, including an empirical element, and represents an original contribution to knowledge deserving publication.
• PSYC6023 – Practical Training in Specialty of Educational Psychology: Students should complete about 180 days of specialty training that includes research and psychoeducational work.
• PSYC6029 – Clinical seminars: This seminar course provides in-depth discussions of work of educational psychologists at all levels.
• GRSC6101 – Responsible Conduct of Research: The aim of this course is to reinforce the importance that the University places on the preservation of the values and principles of research integrity in all research conducted at the university.
• GRSC6102 – Stream-based Responsible Conduct of Research: The aim of this course is to provide opportunities for students to further examine and discuss responsible conduct of research in their own disciplines.

List B

• PSYC6004 – Curriculum and instruction: This course helps students understand and enact the principles of curriculum design, teaching, and assessment of learning.
• PSYC6024 – Research Methods in Applied Educational Psychology: The increasing emphasis of evidence-based practice in educational psychology underscores the role of educational psychologists as both consumers as well as scientists in applied research.
• PSYC6025 – Postgraduate Seminar in Scientific Writing for Psychology: This seminar course addresses writing skills in relation to Psychological research.
• PSYC7021 – Postgraduate Seminar in Cognitive Psychology: This seminar course will cover recent developments in the field of Cognitive Psychology.
• PSYC7022 – Postgraduate Seminar in Social Psychology: This seminar course will cover recent developments in the field of Social Psychology.
• PSYC7023 – Postgraduate Seminar in Developmental Psychology: This seminar course will cover recent developments in the field of Developmental Psychology.
• PSYC8007 – Applied developmental psychology: This course focuses on an integrated study of human development across the life span with implications for educational psychology.
• PSYC8008 – Motivation and learning: This course aims at familiarizing students with theories, research, and practices in the field of motivation and learning.

Class Timetable

The timetable for the program is available upon request.

Teaching Staff

The teaching staff includes:

• Associate Professor: Prof. Kathy Kar-man SHUM
• Associate Professor: Prof. Terry Tin-yau WONG
• Principal Lecturer: Dr. Kathy WONG
• Senior Lecturer: Dr. Matthew Ho-tat CHU
• Senior Lecturer: Mr. Pokky Poi Ki CHOI
• Senior Lecturer: Ms. Jacqueline Wai-yan TANG
• Senior Professional Practitioner: Dr. Melody Jia-Qi XU
• Lecturer: Dr. Sonia Man Kuen CHAN
• Lecturer: Ms. Rachelle Wing Sze LI
• Lecturer: Dr. Galen Ying LIU
• Lecturer: Dr. Kitty Kit-yu YEUNG
• Lecturer: Dr. Eason Sai Kit YIP

Program Details

The Doctor of Psychology in the field of Educational Psychology program is designed to equip holders with the ability to function competently as professional educational psychologists in the areas of research, tertiary-level teaching, and professional services. The emphasis of the program is placed on a scientist-practitioner model of education. The program is offered by the Department of Psychology of HKU.