QUALIFICATION
Master's Degree (Level 9, 240 points)
Duration
1-2 years
Location
Hamilton Campus
Fees
NZD $45,920
Entry Score
IELTS: Academic 7.0 overall (with no band lower than 7.0)
Next Intake
March & July
Programme Overview
The Master of Applied Psychology is a professional programme designed to provide students with the skills to apply psychological principles to real-world problems. Unlike a purely theoretical Master's, this degree focuses on "scientist-practitioner" training, emphasizing how research-based evidence can be used to improve outcomes in specific sectors.
The programme offers three distinct specializations. Depending on the chosen track, students may gain the academic requirements necessary to enter post-master's internships leading to registration as a Psychologist in New Zealand.
What You'll Study
Students choose one of three specialized strands. Each requires core papers, specialized electives, and a research thesis or dissertation.
Specialization Strands
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA): Focuses on understanding and changing behavior to improve lives, particularly for individuals with developmental disabilities or autism.
- Community Psychology: Focuses on social justice, community well-being, and working with diverse groups to address systemic issues.
- Organizational Psychology: Focuses on human behavior in the workplace, including recruitment, leadership, employee well-being, and organizational change.
Core Components
- Professional Issues: Ethics and legal requirements for psychological practice in Aotearoa.
- Research Thesis (90 or 120 points): A significant piece of original research in your chosen strand.
- Practicum Papers: Supervised experience applying techniques in a professional setting.
Why Choose This Programme?
- Pathway to Registration: The ABA and Community strands are specifically designed to lead into the one-year post-master's PGDiplomas required for registration.
- Industry Connections: Strong links with local health boards, schools, and corporate partners for research and practicum placements.
- Diverse Applications: Whether you want to work one-on-one with clients or influence large-scale corporate culture, the strands provide specialized training.
- Expert Supervision: Access to the University’s specialized research units, such as the Māori and Psychology Research Unit (MPRU).
Career Pathways
| Sector | Roles |
|---|---|
| Health & Disability | Behaviour Analyst, Rehabilitation Specialist, Mental Health Lead |
| Corporate/Workplace | HR Manager, Organisational Consultant, Training & Development Lead |
| Community & Social | Community Development Officer, Policy Analyst, Social Researcher |
| Justice & Education | Youth Justice Advisor, Educational Support Specialist |
Entry Requirements
- Academic: A Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology and a B+ average in 300-level papers.
- Prerequisites: You must have completed specific undergraduate papers in Research Methods and Statistics.
- Selection: Entry into the ABA strand is highly competitive and requires a separate application and potentially an interview/vetting.
- English: IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with all bands 7.0 or higher.
