Programme Objective

This Programme is grounded in psychological theories implicated in the life course ecological model to guide the design of the courses. The programme curriculum will provide:

  1. an integrated understanding of psychological theories and research related to the prevalence and impact of adversity and psychological trauma across the lifespan and ecological system,
  2. systematic training in the principles and application of evidence-based assessment, prevention and management of adversity and psychological trauma,
  3. training in research to contribute to new and culturally relevant knowledge in trauma psychology,
  4. training in ethical standards of assessment, prevention and management practices,
  5. training benchmarked with international guidelines,
  6. training that meets the requirements of potential employers, and
  7. full-time as well as part-time mode to allow flexibility of study plan.
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Information Seminar
Public lecture and information seminar:  21 March 2025 

Programme Information
Title of Award: Master of Social Sciences in Adversity and Trauma Psychology
Mode of Attendance: Full-time / Part-time
Duration of Programme: Full-time: 1 year (3 Trimesters)
Part-time: 2 years (6 Trimesters)
Commencement:  September each year
Programme Director: Dr. YUEN, Wing Yan Winnie
The total number of credits required for graduation: 36
Total Tuition Fees: $118,800 ($3,300 per credit) (Local students)
$124,740 ($3,465 per credit) (Non-local students)

 

Application Period (2025/26 cohort)
Start of all applications: 16 January 2025
Application Deadline: 31 May 2025
 

Enquiries

Telephone: 2804 8458
E-mail: mssatpsy@hksyu.edu

Students are required to complete 36 credits that are distributed into four clusters of study areas.

Cluster I: Trauma Theories, Assessment and Management

  • ATP 501 Lifespan Development, Trauma Exposure and Adjustment
  • ATP 502 Trauma-informed Assessment, Prevention and Management
  • ATP503 Seminars in Trauma-informed practices
  • ATP520 Industrial Attachment

Cluster II: Knowledge on Specific Adversity and Trauma (Select 4 out of 5)

  • ATP 505 Physical and Mental Health Adversity
  • ATP 506 Social Adversity and Adjustment
  • ATP 507 Psychology of Child Abuse, Bullying & Protection
  • ATP 508 Psychology of Marital and Intimate Partner Violence
  • ATP 509 Psychology of Elder Abuse and Care

Cluster III: Research

  • ATP 510 Research Methods for Adversity and Trauma
  • ATP 511 Research Project I
  • ATP 512 Research Project II

Cluster IV: Elective Course (Select 1)

(A) Human Behaviours and Mental Processes

  • PSY 504 Personality and Individual Difference
  • PSY 563 Abnormal Psychology
  • PSY 564 Applied Positive Psychology
(B) Specific Adversity and Trauma
  • Unselected courses in Cluster II (ATP 505 to ATP 509)
(C) Additional Industrial Attachment
  • ATP521 Additional Industrial Attachment

 

1st Trimester (Sep - Dec)  
Code Course Credits
ATP 501 Lifespan Development, Trauma Exposure and Adjustment 3
ATP 502 Trauma-informed Assessment, Prevention and Management 3
ATP 510 Research Methods for Adversity and Trauma 3
ATP 506* Social Adversity and Adjustment 3
ATP 507* Psychology of Child Abuse, Bullying & Protection 3
  Subtotal 15
2nd Trimester (Jan - Apr)  
ATP 503 Seminars in Trauma-informed Practices 3
ATP 511 Research Project I 3
ATP 505* Physical and Mental Health Adversity 3
ATP 508* Psychology of Marital and Intimate Partner Violence 3
-- One Elective Course (Choose one course from Cluster IV subcategory A or B only)** 3
  Subtotal  15
3rd Trimester (May - Aug)  
ATP 512 Research Project II 3
ATP 520 Industrial Attachment 3
  Subtotal 6
TOTAL CREDITS  36
*Please choose four out of the five following courses (ATP505, ATP506, ATP507, ATP508, ATP509)
**Please refer to the above table on elective courses for more details
1st Trimester (Sep - Dec)  
Code Course Credits
ATP 501 Lifespan Development, Trauma Exposure and Adjustment 3
ATP 502 Trauma-informed Assessment, Prevention and Management 3
ATP 510 Research Methods for Adversity and Trauma 3
ATP 506* Social Adversity and Adjustment 3
ATP 507* Psychology of Child Abuse, Bullying & Protection 3
  Subtotal 15
2nd Trimester (Jan - Apr)  
ATP 503 Seminars in Trauma-informed Practices 3
ATP 511 Research Project I 3
ATP 505* Physical and Mental Health Adversity 3
ATP 508* Psychology of Marital and Intimate Partner Violence 3
  Subtotal  12
3rd Trimester (May - Aug)  
ATP 512 Research Project II 3
ATP 520 Industrial Attachment 3
-- One Elective Course (Choose one course from Cluster IV subcategory A or C only)** 3
  Subtotal 9
TOTAL CREDITS  36
*Please choose four out of the five following courses (ATP505, ATP506, ATP507, ATP508, ATP509)
**Please refer to the above table on elective courses for more details
1st Trimester (Sep - Dec)  
Code Course Credits
ATP 501 Lifespan Development, Trauma Exposure and Adjustment 3
ATP 502 Trauma-informed Assessment, Prevention and Management 3
2nd Trimester (Jan - Apr)  
ATP 505* Physical and Mental Health Adversity 3
ATP 508* Psychology of Marital and Intimate Partner Violence 3
3rd Trimester (May - Aug)  
-- One Elective Course (Choose one course from Cluster IV subcategory A only)** 3
TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR 1 15
4th Trimester (Sep - Dec)  
Code Course Credits
ATP 506 Social Adversity and Adjustment 3
ATP 507 Psychology of Child Abuse, Bullying & Protection 3
ATP 510 Research Methods for Adversity and Trauma 3
5th Trimester (Jan - Apr)  
ATP 503 Seminars in Trauma-informed Practices 3
ATP 511 Research Project I 3
6th Trimester (May - Aug)  
ATP 512 Research Project II 3
ATP 520 Industrial Attachment 3
TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR 2 21
Minimum Number of Credits for Graduation 36
*Please choose two out of the following courses (ATP505, ATP508, ATP509)
**Please refer to the above table on elective courses for more details
1st Trimester (Sep - Dec)  
Code Course Credits
ATP 501 Lifespan Development, Trauma Exposure and Adjustment 3
ATP 502 Trauma-informed Assessment, Prevention and Management 3
2nd Trimester (Jan - Apr)  
ATP 505 Physical and Mental Health Adversity 3
ATP 508 Psychology of Marital and Intimate Partner Violence 3
3rd Trimester (May - Aug)  
-- One Elective Course (Choose one course from Cluster IV subcategory A only)** 3
TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR 1 15
4th Trimester (Sep - Dec)  
Code Course Credits
ATP 506* Social Adversity and Adjustment 3
ATP 510 Research Methods for Adversity and Trauma 3
5th Trimester (Jan - Apr)  
ATP 503 Seminars in Trauma-informed Practices 3
ATP 509  Psychology of Elder Abuse and Care 3
ATP 511 Research Project I 3
6th Trimester (May - Aug)  
ATP 512 Research Project II 3
ATP 520 Industrial Attachment 3
TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR 2 21
Minimum Number of Credits for Graduation 36
*Please choose two out of the following courses (ATP506, ATP507)
**Please refer to the above table on elective courses for more details

Candidates must 

1) Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social sciences, social work, education, nursing, medical science or other related areas.
2) IT literacy and competence by showing evidence of having successfully completed courses in IT applications either in their undergraduate studies or from recognized institutions of learning or from their work experience .


Language Requirements

1) Fulfilled English proficiency requirement in oral and written English
a. Overall score 6.0 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic), with no subtest score lower than 5.5;
b. Score 550 (Paper-based test) or 80 (Internet-based test) in TOEFL; 
c. CET6 450;
d. or Other equivalent qualifications.
Exemption from the English language requirement may be granted to applicants with degrees awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction and assessment is English.

2) Fulfilled Chinse proficiency requirement in oral and written Chinese. Applicants with honours degrees from local or mainland universities where the teaching medium is Chinese; or obtained Level 3 or above in Chinese Language in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE); or other evidence of Chinese language proficiency.

Candidates who do not possess the specified qualifications may still be considered for admission if they can demonstrate equivalent qualifications and portfolios. Application for exemption from the admission requirements shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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The MSSc-ATP curriculum emphasizes psychological theories, practices, and research related to various types of adversity and trauma. The knowledge and skills acquired through the programme are designed to support a wide range of career pathways. Graduates may seek employment opportunities in clinical settings, social services, educational institutions, non-governmental and humanitarian organizations, as well as corporate environment, where trauma-informed practice is increasingly recognized as essential. Graduates may also further their professional training in psychotherapy, counselling, and psychology. For graduates with prior professional qualifications in the field such as social work, education and health care, they may seek career advancement and pursue advanced professional degrees in their own profession.

For graduates interested in academic and research careers, they can pursue positions in research institutions and universities. This programme also provides a solid foundation for further academic training in MPhil/PhD programmes focused on mental health and/or trauma research.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures
Online Application
Click here to access the online application. Please read the notes carefully before completing the online application form.

Important Note to Applicants

Please prepare the following supporting documents for uploading when completing your application form:
 
  •  A recent, colour, passport-size photo (i.e., approximately 40mm (Width) x 50 mm (Height) showing a full frontal face with clear facial features.)
  • Copy of your HKID Card or other identification document
  • Copy of Graduation Certificate(s) and/or Degree Certificate(s) of your undergraduate/postgraduate studies
    • For qualifications obtained in Mainland China: The Graduation Certificate AND Degree Certification should be accompanied by the Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate and Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate by CHSI 學信網 (教育部學籍線上驗證報告及中國高等教育學位 線上驗證報告)
    • For Mainland Applicants with overseas qualifications: The Graduation Certificate and/or Degree Certification should be accompanied by the Overseas Credential Evaluation Report (國外學歷學位認證書) issued by Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) (教育部留學服務中心)
  • Copy of Transcript(s) with Grading Scheme of your undergraduate/postgraduate studies
  • Copy of TOEFL / IELTS score report
  • Personal Statement and CV 
    • Please type or print clearly a personal statement about yourself of no more than 1,000 words in English including:
      • Your personal background
      • Your motivation for applying to this programme
      • What makes you suited for this programme
      • How this programme fits into your long-term professional and personal aspirations, and any ways you might contribute to the field of Trauma Psychology.
  • Sample of writings (if any)
  • Copy of Valid Visa / Entry Permit (if applicable)
  • Copies of certificates of professional qualifications (if applicable)
 

Application Period (2025/26 cohort)
Start of all applications: 16 January 2025
Application Deadline: 31 May 2025
 

Enquiries

Telephone: 2804 8458
E-mail: mssatpsy@hksyu.edu

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