Programmes

Master of Social Sciences in Psychology

Programme	Master of Social Sciences in Psychology 社會科學碩士(心理學)
Award Title	Master of Social Sciences in Psychology 社會科學碩士(心理學)
Offering Academic Unit	Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences
Mode of Study	Combined mode

Normal Period of Study

- 1 year (full-time)
- 2 years (part-time/combined mode)

Maximum Period of Study

- 2 years (full-time)
- 5 years (part-time/combined mode)

Credit Units Required for Graduation

Programme Aims

This program aims to provide students with the required knowledge, skills, exposure, and insights for (1) analyzing human behaviors from a psychological perspective, (2) developing research expertise in applying psychology to relevant settings, and (3) pursuing advanced professional training and a career in psychology and closely related areas. The program is an advanced and intensive conversion degree scheme that combines the award of a Master degree with eligibility for graduate membership with the Hong Kong Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)

Upon successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to:

1. critically evaluate major principles/theories in core areas of psychology;
2. apply major psychological theories/principles to analyze human behaviors in real life situations;
3. critically evaluate research evidence published in psychological journals;
4. design and carry out psychological research independently; and
5. appreciate the close connection between psychology and everyday experiences.

Programme Requirements

Path of Study: Students may obtain the MSocSc degree either by completing Path A/Path B for Applied Psychology Stream, or Path C for Education Stream

Path A (without dissertation) – 6 common core courses + 4 elective courses
Path B (with dissertation) – 6 common core courses + 2 elective courses + the dissertation project
Path C – 6 common core courses + 4 core courses

1. Common Core Courses ( 21 credit units)

Students are required to take 4 courses from Group A, 1 course from Group B and 1 course from Research Method Group to fulfil the requirement for accreditation by British Psychological Society

Group A

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Units
SS5752	Life Span Development	3
SS5753	Advanced Social Psychology	3
SS5756	Biological Basis of Behavior	3
SS5757	Personality Theories and Assessment	3

Group B

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Units	Remarks
SS5750	Perception and Cognition	3
SS5751	Learning and Behavior	3

Research Method Group

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Units	Remarks
SS5780	Research Design and Analysis in Psychology	6

2. Courses for Respective Path ( 12 credit units)

Path A - Applied Psychology Stream without dissertation

Students are required to take 4 electives from below list.

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Units
SS5755	Applying Psychology to Contemporary Issues	3
SS5791	Advanced Health Psychology	3
SS5794	Psychological Testing	3
SS5797	Advanced Research Methods in Psychology	3
SS5803	Psychopathology	3

Path B - Applied Psychology Stream with dissertation

Students are required to take 2 electives from below list and the Dissertation Project.

Either 2 out of the 5 courses

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Units
SS5755	Applying Psychology to Contemporary Issues	3
SS5791	Advanced Health Psychology	3
SS5794	Psychological Testing	3
SS5797	Advanced Research Methods in Psychology	3
SS5803	Psychopathology	3

AND

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Units	Remarks
SS5798	Dissertation	6

Path C - Education Stream

Students are required to take 4 courses from below list.

Course Code	Course Title	Credit Units	Remarks
SS5758	Educational Psychology	3
SS5759	Educational Assessment and Evaluation	3
SS5755	Applying Psychology to Contemporary Issues	3	choose one of the two courses (SS5755 or SS5763)
SS5763	Special Topics in Psychology of Education	3	choose one of the two courses (SS5755 or SS5763)
SS5803	Psychopathology	3

Professional Recognition

This program is recognized by the Hong Kong Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society.Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate membership of these two professional bodies. However, membership is granted on the basis of individual merits but not automatically upon application.

Additional Information