The Department of Psychology offers a postgraduate programme leading to the degree of Master of Social Sciences in the field of Psychology.

The curriculum shall normatively be one academic year for full-time study and two academic years for part-time study.  The minimum and maximum periods of registration are respectively one and two academic years for full-time study, and two and three academic years for part-time study.

For students admitted in 2023-24

CURRICULUM (subject to University’s approval)

1. Candidates are required to complete 60 credits.  For the “dissertation” option, candidates are required to complete eight compulsory courses and a dissertation. For the “non-dissertation” option, candidates are required to complete eight compulsory courses, a capstone project in psychology and an elective course from the elective course lists of this programme.

Compulsory Courses
PSYC7301.  Introduction to research methods in psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7302.  Research and quantitative methods in psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7303.  Biological psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7304.  Cognitive psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7305.  Developmental psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7306.  Personality psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7307.  Social psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7319.  Introduction to psychopathology (6 credits)

Elective Courses
PSYC7310.  Human neuropsychology (6 credits)
PSYC7311.  Internship in psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7312.  Introduction to concepts and approaches of therapeutic psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7313.  Introduction to health psychology and wellbeing (6 credits)
PSYC7314.  Professional ethics and issues in psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7315.  Psychological testing and measurement (6 credits)
PSYC7316.  Special topics in 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 Courses
PSYC7308.  Dissertation in psychology (12 credits)
PSYC7317.  Capstone project in psychology (6 credits)

2. Dissertation option: Full-time candidates are required to take four courses in each of the 1st and 2nd semesters, in addition to a full-year dissertation course.  Part-time candidates are required to take five courses in the 1st year and, in addition to the dissertation course, three courses in the 2nd year of study.  Any variations from this pattern are subject to the approval of the Programme Director.

3. Non-dissertation option: Full-time candidates are required to take five courses in each of the 1st and 2nd semesters.  Part-time candidates are required to take five courses in the 1st year and five courses in the 2nd year of study.  Any variations from this pattern are subject to the approval of the Programme Director.

4. For the compulsory and elective psychology courses, candidates are required to participate in the problem-based inquiry for each course.  In preparation, they should complete the required assigned readings and are encouraged to engage in self-directed learning by reading additional self-selected relevant materials.

5. Candidates who are enrolled in a capstone experience course are  required to conduct a capstone project or write a dissertation on an approved topic under the supervision of a faculty member in his/her final year of study.  The dissertation shall be presented not later than June 30 of the final academic year of study, while the capstone project report shall be presented not later than the last teaching day of final academic year of study.

6. Candidates who had taken similar courses in a programme which is designed to bring the degree holder up to the standard of a graduate majoring in psychology may not be approved to take similar courses listed under (1).  Candidates may be granted exemption of up to three courses with either one course from each of the following combinations:
   • PSYC7303 / PSYC7304,
   • PSYC7305 / PSYC7309,
   • PSYC7306 / PSYC7307, and

   no exemption is allowed for the research methods courses, i.e., PSYC7301 and PSYC7302.

7. Exemption will only be considered in special circumstances and each application for exemption will be considered on its own merit. Candidates with exemption granted are required to take one of the postgraduate seminar courses (PSYC7021, PSYC7022, PSYC7023, PSYC6025) or one elective course from the elective course list of this programme in lieu of each exempted course to meet the degree requirements.

For students admitted in 2022-23

PSYC7301. Introduction to research methods in psychology (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.

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PSYC7302. Research and quantitative methods in psychology (6 credits)

This course is designed to extend students’ quantitative and research skills so that they are prepared to conduct their own independent empirical research.  It will build on what students already learned in PSYC7301 to cover more advanced quantitative methods commonly used in Psychology.

Assessment:  100% coursework.
Prerequisites:  PSYC7301.

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PSYC7303. Biological psychology (6 credits)

This course provides an introduction to biological aspects of behaviour.  The topics include: biological bases of behaviour, development, learning, memory, and psychopathology; the nervous system; processes of brain maturation; psychophysiology.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

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PSYC7304. Cognitive psychology (6 credits)

This course covers how humans learn to deal with information from the environment in everyday life.  Topics include various aspects of perception, attention, memory, and language.  Students will be involved in conducting experiments on cognitive functioning as part of the coursework.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

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PSYC7305. Developmental psychology (6 credits)

This course covers current issues in developmental psychology and their applied implications.  Students will actively solve problems and conduct mini 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.

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PSYC7306. Personality psychology (6 credits)

This course will critically examine a number of theories.  The relationship of specific theories to practical applications, personality assessment and psychotherapeutic techniques may be included.  The major aims of the course are to provide a survey of the breath and complexity of this field and to provide a perspective from which to examine assumptions about human nature and the evaluation of behaviour.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

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PSYC7307. Social psychology (6 credits)

This course gives an overview of the field which studies the behaviour of individuals in social contexts.  It covers topics in social thinking (e.g., social perception, social judgement, relationship between attitude and behaviour), social influence (e.g., cultural influence, conformity and obedience, persuasion, and group dynamics), and social relations (e.g., prejudice, aggression, interpersonal attraction, and altruistic behaviour).  Current research issues in social psychology will form part of the discussion, and students will be guided to apply the knowledge in real-life situations.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

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PSYC7309. Abnormal psychology (6 credits) (for students of 2022/23 intake)

This course provides an introduction to the modern concepts of psychopathology.  It covers topics on the core features, conceptualization, and treatment of major groups of mental disorders.  Relevance in everyday life, cultural issues and ethical dilemmas will form part of the discussion.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

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PSYC7319. Introduction to psychopathology (6 credits) (for students of 2023/24 intake)

This course provides an introduction to the modern concepts of psychopathology. It covers topics on the core features, conceptualization, and treatment of major groups of mental disorders. Relevance in everyday life, cultural issues and ethical dilemmas will form part of the discussion.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

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PSYC7311. Internship in psychology (6 credits)

Students will have an opportunity to i) learn to do research as an intern in ongoing empirical research projects under a teacher’s supervision in the Department of Psychology, OR ii) under special circumstances, engage in an approved non-paid student-initiated internship in local organizations that can provide students an experience that is relevant to the skills and knowledge of the discipline of Psychology. The non-paid student-initiated internship is subject to the approval of the Department. For research internship in campus, students are required to spent 10-12 hours per week assisting various research activities. The internship includes participating in lab meetings or meeting individually with the supervisor, reading relevant theoretical and empirical articles, assisting in ongoing empirical research projects, and writing an internship report. Information about research projects offering internship placements and application procedure will be available in the Psychology Department webpage. For internship in local organizations, students are expected to apply psychology knowledge (including models, theories and/or concepts), critical thinking, and analytical skills acquired at the University to analyze real-life situations.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

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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 behavioral 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 experience.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

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PSYC7308. Dissertation in psychology (12 credits)

A candidate should conduct an independent empirical investigation of a psychological problem under the supervision of a faculty member.  A successful dissertation should represent the result of the candidate’s research which displays some originality and demonstrates a sound understanding of the field of study and the appropriate research methods.  The dissertation should be about 8,000 to 10,000 words in length (excluding tables, figures, bibliographies, and appendices).  The title of the dissertation shall be submitted for approval not later than March 31 of the final academic year of study, and the dissertation shall be presented not later than June 30 of the final academic year of study. Candidates shall submit a statement that the dissertation represents their own work undertaken after registration as candidates for the degree.

Assessment:  100% coursework

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PSYC7317. Capstone project in psychology (6 credits)

This course comprises an independent research study in an area of psychology of the candidates’ choice, subject to availability of supervision. Students will conduct a research project or read within an area of study, to be agreed with their instructor, and write an extended essay or research project report. The 69 essay or project write-up should be about 4,000 to 5,000 words in length (excluding tables, figures, bibliographies, and appendices) and should follow the practice of communication in top psychology journals.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

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2023/24 Course List

General Office

Mr. Robin LEE (Tel: (852) 3917 2375; Email: mpsyc@hku.hk)
Ms. Janice WANG (Tel: (852) 3917 7122; Email: mpsyc@hku.hk)

For admission information, please go to this web page
MSocSc in Psychology

Programme Director: Dr. Xiaoqing HU (Email: xiaoqinghu@hku.hk)