
The programme is designed to give students sufficient grounding in the core areas of psychology to qualify them:
1. to apply for student affiliate or graduate membership of the Hong Kong Psychological Society, the American Psychological Association, the British Psychological Society, and other professional associations of comparable standing;
2. to gain direct entry into any career potentially open to Psychology graduates in both the private and the public sectors; and
3. to apply for postgraduate training in all recognized areas in psychology, and in particular, in one of the four areas of applied professional psychology (i.e. Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology) in an accredited university.
The programme sets out to achieve these aims by providing learning opportunities for personal growth, theoretical knowledge, research skills, and competencies necessary for further education at postgraduate level.
Title of Award: | Master of Social Sciences in Psychology |
Mode of Attendance: | Full-time / Part-time |
Intake Quota per Annum: | 35 |
Duration of Programme: | Full-time: 1 year (3 Trimesters) Part-time: 2 years (6 Trimesters) |
Programme Director: | Dr. Jason CHOW |
The total number of credits required for graduation: | 36 |
Total Tuition Fees: | $86,400 ($2,400 per credit) |
Path A (MSS Psychology -- Mental Health): 9 common core courses (including Research Project) + 3 courses in the stream of Mental Health
Path B (MSS Psychology -- Investigative Psychology): 9 common core courses (including Research Project) + 3 courses in the stream of Investigative Psychology
Path C (MSS Psychology): 9 common core courses (including Research Project) + 3 courses in general stream
Full-time Mode
1st Trimester (Jan-Apr) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Course | Credits | |
PSY 501 | Research Methods and Statistics I | 3 | |
PSY 503 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 | |
PSY 507 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 | |
-- | One Elective Course | 3 | |
2nd Trimester (May - Aug) | |||
PSY 502 | Research Methods and Statistics II | 3 | |
PSY 504 | Personality and Individual Differences | 3 | |
PSY 509 | Research Project I | 3 | |
-- | One Elective Course* | 3 | |
3rd Trimester (Sep - Dec) | |||
PSY 505 | Social Psychology | 3 | |
PSY 506 | Biological Bases of Behaviour | 3 | |
PSY 510 | Research Project II | 3 | |
-- | One Elective Course** | 3 | |
TOTAL CREDITS | 36 |
Part-time Mode
1st Trimester (Jan - Apr) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Course | Credits | |
PSY 501 | Research Methods and Statistics I | 3 | |
PSY 503 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 3 | |
2nd Trimester (May - Aug) | |||
PSY 502 | Research Methods and Statistics II | 3 | |
PSY 504 | Personality and Individual Differences | 3 | |
3rd Trimester (Sep - Dec) | |||
PSY 505 | Social Psychology | 3 | |
PSY 506 | Biological Bases of Behaviour | 3 | |
TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR 1 | 18 |
4th Trimester (Jan-Apr) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Code | Course | Credits | |
PSY 507 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 | |
-- | One Elective Course | 3 | |
5th Trimester (May - Aug) | |||
PSY 509 | Research Project I | 3 | |
-- | One Elective Course | 3 | |
6th Trimester (Sep - Dec) | |||
PSY 510 | Research Project II | 3 | |
-- | One Elective Course | 3 | |
TOTAL CREDITS FOR YEAR 1 | 18 | ||
Minimum Number of Credits for Graduation | 36 |
**Please refer to the below section on elective courses
Path A Mental Health Stream (Students will choose 3 out of 4 courses )
Code | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
PSY 563 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
COUN 560 | Counselling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
PSY 564 | Applied Positive Psychology | 3 |
MPT 510 | Introduction to Expressive Art Therapy | 3 |
Path B Investigative Psychology Stream (Students will choose 3 out of 4 courses)
Code | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
PSY 565 | Criminal Behaviors | 3 |
PSY 566 | Introduction to Investigative Psychology | 3 |
PSY 567 | Psychological Testing and Assessment | 3 |
PSY 563 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
Path C General Stream (Students will choose 3 out of 7 courses)
Code | Course | Credits |
---|---|---|
PSY 563 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
PSY 564 | Applied Positvie Psychology | 3 |
PSY 565 | Criminal Behaviors | 3 |
PSY 566 | Introduction to Investigative Psychology | 3 |
PSY 567 | Psychological Testing and Assessment | 3 |
COUN 560 | Counselling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
MPT 510 | Introduction to Expressive Art Therapy | 3 |
Candidates must
i. have earned a bachelor’s degree with Second Class Honours or above from an accredited university in an area other than psychology, AND
ii. pass a take home entrance examination on Introductory Psychology composed primarily of multiple-choice and essay questions, AND
iii. attend an interview.
Language Requirements
Applicants with entrance qualifications from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English should also fulfil the following minimum English proficiency requirement:
(a) Overall score ≥ 6.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic); or
(b) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 600 (Paper-based Test) or 100 (Internet-based Test) or 250 (Computer-based Test); or
(c) Other equivalent qualifications acceptable to the University.
Take Home Entrance Examination
After the interview process is completed, short-listed applicants will receive a take home examination. The exam coverage is derived from material typically covered in an Introductory Psychology course. Specifically, the following subjects constitute the test's coverage: the Research Enterprise, Biological Psychology, Sensation and Perception, Learning, Human Memory, Intelligence and Emotion, Human Development, Personality, Social Psychology, and Abnormal Psychology. Most introductory psychology textbooks from 2009 to the present will contain extensive coverage of these topics. It is recommended that the applicant use such a textbook to prepare for the entrance examination. Currently, the primary text adopted in PSY100 Introductory Psychology at this university is Sun, C. T. L. (Ed.). (2015). Psychology in Asia: An introduction. Singapore: Cengage. Learning.
Transfers from non SYU-operated Conversion Programmes in Psychology
Candidates with previous qualifications in conversion programmes in psychology for which the exit award is below the master's level or who are currently enrolled in such programmes either locally or overseas may apply for credit transfer into the MSocSc in Psychology. The maximum number of transferred credits must not exceed 55% (or 20 credits) of the total number of credits required for graduation.
Application Procedures
Click here to access the online application.
Paper Application
A completed application package shall consist of the following documents:
- Application form (pdf version / doc version)
- A Photocopy of HKID Card/Passport
- An application fee of HK$200 by crossed-cheque to "HONG KONG SHUE YAN UNIVERSITY" (fees paid are not refundable)
- Photocopies of degree certificates
- Official transcripts from post-secondary institutions/universities attended
(Transcript Request Form (pdf version / doc version) - Please also send this form to your appropriate officer of institution from which the transcript is requested. HKSYU graduates are not required to request for transcripts from the Registry. Copies of past academic results will suffice.)
- A photocopy of each professional qualification obtained as stated on the application form
The application shall be submitted by post or in person to:
Admissions Coordinator
Master of Social Sciences in Psychology
Hong Kong Shue Yan University
10 Wai Tsui Crescent, Braemar Hill Road, North Point, Hong Kong
Important Dates (For January 2024 cohort)
Non-local Applicants:
Application Deadline : 24 September 2023
Local Applicants:
1st Round Application Deadline : 24 October 2023
2nd Round Application Deadline : 24 November 2023
We have a quota for admitting students each year and applications are considered in batches. Admissions priorities will be given to applicants who apply in the main round (and subsequently those in the second round). Applications beyond 24 November 2023 will only be considered on case-by-case basis subject to availability of spaces. You are therefore encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Enquiries
Telephone: 2806 7332
E-mail: msspsy@hksyu.edu
Dr. Jason CHOW T.S. Area of Research Interests: |
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Dr. Bobo LAU H.P. Area of Research Interests: |
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Dr. Patrick CONNOLLY J. Area of Research Interests: |
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Dr. Wai FU Areas of Research Interests: |
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Dr. L.Y. LO Area of Research Interests:
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Dr. NGAI, Tsz-kin
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., The University of Hong Kong
Area of Research Interests:
Animal Assisted Intervention
Human-Animal Interaction
One Health
Humane Education
Child Education
Positive Psychology
Cyberpsychology
Gamification
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Dr. LAM, Yin-hung Bess
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Dr. LIN M. Muriel Assistant Professor Director, MSS in Counselling Psychology Programme Area of Research Interests: Schema Therapy for Personality Disorders and Trauma Related Issues Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cross-Cultural Comparison regarding Treatment Interventions
Mental Health Issues in Adults
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Dr. CHAN, Chui Yi |
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Dr. LAI Ching-han Lufanna Assistant Professor Ph.D., The Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia Area of Research Interests: Psychology of religion Quality of life, Subjective wellbeing, Cross-cultural differences in subjective wellbeing
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