Program Overview

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Overview of the PhD with a Specialization in Educational Psychology

The PhD with a specialization in Educational Psychology programme is designed to train educational psychologists who are interested in an academic career. The graduates from this programme are expected to be scientist-practitioners who are not only strong in research and practice but also well-prepared for university-level teaching.

Structure and Syllabus

The curriculum extends over a minimum of 4 years full-time, including two years of coursework and educational practicum. The courses cover the theoretical and applied aspects of educational psychology. Students shall also complete a doctoral-level research dissertation presenting original scientific work in a chosen area of educational psychology.

• General coursework requirements by the Graduate School
• Coursework requirements by the Department of Psychology
  • For students admitted in or after: 21 compulsory courses and 1 elective course
  • For students admitted between: 17 compulsory courses and 1 elective course

Course Descriptions

PSYC6004 – Curriculum and Instruction

This course helps students understand and enact the principles of curriculum design, teaching, and assessment of learning, as they apply to the contexts and issues educational psychologists are likely to meet.

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.

PSYC6012 – Practicum I

The first practicum course, providing students with exposures to a broad spectrum of work of an EP working in a particular setting.

PSYC6013 – Practicum II

The second practicum course, providing students with hands-on experiences at different levels.

PSYC6014 – Practicum III

The third practicum course, providing students with knowledge of different types of provisions and systems accessible to children with special educational needs.

PSYC6015 – Practicum IV

The fourth practicum course, providing students with opportunities for collaborative work with other professionals.

PSYC6016 – Practicum V

The fifth practicum course, providing students with further opportunities for collaborative work with other professionals.

PSYC6019 – Professional Ethics and Issues in Educational Psychology

This course prepares students for professional practice in educational psychology by examining the organizational, ethical, and legal considerations as well as current issues related to such practice in Hong Kong.

PSYC6025 – Postgraduate Seminar in Scientific Writing for Psychology

This seminar course addresses writing skills in relation to psychological research.

PSYC7010 – Psychoeducational Assessment I

This course provides students with theoretical foundations of psychoeducational assessment and basic concepts in measurement.

PSYC7011 – Psychoeducational Assessment II

The focus of this course is on the assessment of behavioural and adjustment problems in children and adolescents.

PSYC7014 – Psychoeducational Intervention I

The nature and basic principles of psychoeducational intervention are introduced.

PSYC7015 – Psychoeducational Intervention II

Major approaches and different levels of psychoeducational intervention are covered.

PSYC7016 – Skills Training Seminar I

This course provides an initial orientation programme immersing students into settings related to roles and functions of educational psychologists.

PSYC7017 – Skills Training Seminar II

This course is the second in a series of practical skills training, providing a platform for the students to polish the micro-skills that are required in their first practicum.

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.

PSYC7026 – Children with Special Needs I

This course introduces some basic concepts and issues on educating students with special educational needs.

PSYC7027 – Children with Special Needs II

This course focuses on the basic characteristics, identification, and intervention measures for students with emotional and behavioural related disabilities.

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.

PSYC8010 – Skills Training Seminar III

This course is the last in a series of practical skills training seminars, providing a platform for the students to further polish the micro-skills that are required in field work.

Class Timetable

The class timetable for the PhD with a specialization in Educational Psychology programme is available.

Teaching Staff

The teaching staff for the PhD with a specialization in Educational Psychology programme 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

Guidelines

Guidelines for the PhD with a specialization in Educational Psychology programme are available.