Master of Social Sciences in the field of Applied Psychology
General Office ( E-mail: msapsy@hku.hk )
The Master of Social Sciences in the field of Applied Psychology [MSocSc(APsy)]
There is growing recognition of the importance of applying psychological knowledge to address escalating mental health challenges in contemporary society. In response, the Department of Psychology offers the MSocSc in Applied Psychology (APsy), a programme designed to provide students with a strong foundation in professional psychological theory and practice. Grounded in a research-informed and academically rigorous curriculum, the programme integrates core theoretical principles, advanced research methods, and supervised applied learning experiences.
The curriculum is carefully structured to bridge the gap between undergraduate study and professional application. Students develop the skills to critically appraise research evidence on psychological assessment and intervention in Chinese societies and beyond, and to apply psychological principles to promote individual and population wellbeing. Emphasis is placed on experiential learning and reflective practice, ensuring that students can translate theory into real-world contexts.
While the programme does not lead to professional licensure, it offers valuable training for those seeking to enhance their careers in sectors where psychological expertise is increasingly in demand, including health, education, human resources, policy analysis, and community development. It also provides a strong foundation for further professional training in clinical and educational psychology, as well as for advanced research degrees at leading universities locally and overseas.
The Department of Psychology offers a postgraduate programme leading to the degree of Master of Social Sciences in the field of Applied Psychology.
The curriculum shall normatively be one academic year for full-time study. The minimum and maximum periods of registration are respectively one and two academic years for full-time study. English is the medium of instruction.
For students admitted in 2026/27
Candidates are required to complete a total of 60 credits including six compulsory courses, three elective courses and one capstone experience course as listed below:
Compulsory Courses
Candidates shall complete all of the following six courses:
PSYC7101. Introduction to concepts and approaches of psychological practice (6 credits)
PSYC7102. Evidence-based psychotherapeutic practice (6 credits)
PSYC7103. Psychological assessment (6 credits)
PSYC7104. Introduction to psychological research (6 credits)
PSYC7313. Introduction to health psychology and wellbeing (6 credits)
PSYC7314. Professional ethics and issues in psychology (6 credits)
Elective Courses
Candidates shall complete three of the following courses:
PSYC7106. Ageing and neurodegeneration (6 credits)
PSYC7107. Forensic psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7108. Special topics in applied psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7109. Experiential learning (6 credits)
PSYC7305. Developmental psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7318. Introduction to educational psychology (6 credits)
(Note: Not all the elective courses listed will necessarily be offered every year)
Capstone Experience Course
Candidates shall complete the following capstone experience course:
PSYC7120. Capstone project (6 credits)
Compulsory Courses
PSYC7101. Introduction to concepts and approaches of psychological practice (6 credits)
This course provides an overview of key concepts, frameworks, and professional roles in psychological practice. Students will be introduced to foundational ideas across therapeutic approaches, psychological assessment, and ethical standards. Emphasis is placed on understanding how theory connects to practice and the diverse contexts in which psychologists work. This course prepares students for deeper exploration of therapy, assessment, and ethics in subsequent modules within the programme.
Assessment: 100% coursework.
PSYC7102. Evidence-based psychotherapeutic practice (6 credits)
This course introduces students to the theoretical foundations and practical applications of psychological interventions. The course offers learning in psychological intervention skills that facilitate clients’ insight and underpin psychological change.
Assessment: 100% coursework.
PSYC7103. Psychological assessment (6 credits)
This course offers a foundational overview of psychological assessment, introducing students to key concepts, methods, and ethical considerations in the field. Emphasis is placed on understanding the purposes and principles of assessment across cognitive, emotional, and behavioural domains. Students will explore commonly used assessment tools and develop basic skills in test selection, administration, and interpretation. This course serves as a preparatory platform for more specialized training in psychoeducational, cognitive, and personality assessment.
Assessment: 100% coursework.
PSYC7104. Introduction to psychological research (6 credits)
This course adopts a practical approach to teaching the analytical aspects of research techniques in psychology. It is designed to provide students with the basic background in research design and data analysis. The logic of statistical inference and scientific explanation, the merits and limitations of quantitative approaches to the study of psychological phenomena, and research ethics will be discussed.
Assessment: 100% coursework.
PSYC7313. Introduction to health psychology and wellbeing (6 credits)
This course will provide a critical overview of both the psychological and social aspects of human health and wellbeing. Students will gain a foundation for understanding the role of psychology in the health context. Topics covered in this course include health behaviours, coping with health-related stress, social support and health, psychoimmunology, management of chronic illnesses, and patient-practitioner interaction etc.
Assessment: 100% coursework
PSYC7314. Professional ethics and issues in psychology (6 credits)
The purpose of the course is to provide general ethical guidance to cover typical situations encountered by professional psychologists. Models of ethical decision making will be introduced, discussed, and applied. In addition to the Code of Professional Conduct published by local professional bodies (e.g., the Hong Kong Psychological Society), a number of ethical codes, guidelines, and standards of practice will be reviewed.
Assessment: 100% coursework
Elective Courses
PSYC7106. Ageing and neurodegeneration (6 credits)
This course explores the biological, psychological, and clinical aspects of ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. Students will examine the mechanisms of normal and pathological ageing. The course integrates current research on cognitive decline, brain plasticity, and neurobiological changes associated with ageing. Through case studies and critical analysis of contemporary literature, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in promoting healthy ageing.
Assessment: 100% coursework.
PSYC7107. Forensic psychology (6 credits)
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the application of psychological principles for criminal behavioural analysis and risk assessment. Emphasis is placed on understanding the theoretical foundations, empirical research, and ethical considerations that inform forensic psychological work. The course is designed to equip students with foundational knowledge relevant to forensic settings and to foster critical thinking about the role of psychology in legal systems.
Assessment: 100% coursework.
PSYC7108. Special topics in applied psychology (6 credits)
This course explores current and emerging issues, trends, and specialized areas within the field of applied psychology. The course aims to deepen students’ understanding of complex challenges faced by psychologists and to foster critical thinking and adaptability in various professional contexts. Emphasis is placed on integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application to prepare students for specialized roles in the field. Individual topics may have special eligibility requirements.
Assessment: 100% coursework.
PSYC7109. Experiential learning (6 credits)
Students will have an experiential learning opportunity to apply psychology knowledge to understand real-life psychological issues and reflect upon this experience. Learning experiences include demonstrations and observations, roleplay, and case discussion. Students are expected to meet with the teacher(s) regularly, reflect upon specific psychological knowledge applied and how they affect various practices and people’s lives in society, and write a reflection paper to conclude the learning impact.
Assessment: 100% coursework
PSYC7305. Developmental psychology (6 credits)
This course covers current issues in developmental psychology and their applied implications. Students will actively solve problems and conduct small-scale projects related to selected topics in human development. There will be an emphasis on understanding basic concepts and theories of human development, research methodology and issues in developmental change, as well as biological, environmental and cognitive influences on development.
Assessment: 100% coursework.
PSYC7318. Introduction to educational psychology (6 credits)
This course focuses on how psychological theories are applied to learning, teaching, and the facilitation of human growth. The topics include major developmental theories and their application to learning and instruction; learning theories from both behavioural and cognitive traditions; effective teaching methods and practices; learners’ individual and group differences; achievement motivation; and assessment. Students will be involved in learning activities that require self-reflection and integration of daily life experiences.
Assessment: 100% coursework.
Capstone Experience Course
PSYC7120. Capstone project (6 credits)
This course comprises an independent research study in an area of applied psychological science. Students will engage in supervised psychological research. They are required to write a review or report on a research project (e.g., a meta-analytic review or a small-scale empirical project). The write-up should be about 4,000 to 5,000 words in length (excluding tables, figures, bibliographies, and appendices).
Assessment: 100% coursework.
TBC
General Office
Email: msapsy@hku.hk
Programme Director
Professor Tatia Lee
E-mail: tmclee@hku.hk
For admission information, please go to this web page
MSocSc in Applied Psychology
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