This conversion program is designed to provide non-psychology degree holders with the knowledge, skills, exposure, and insights for (1) analyzing human behaviors from a psychological perspective, (2) developing research expertise in applying psychology to relevant settings, and (3) pursuing advanced professional training and a career in psychology and closely related areas. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to apply for graduate membership of the Hong Kong Psychological Society.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs):

Upon successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to:

• critically evaluate major principles/theories in core areas of psychology;
• apply major psychological theories/principles to analyze analyze human behaviors in real life situations;
• critically evaluate research evidence published in psychological journals; design and carry out psychological research independently; and
• appreciate the close connection between psychology and everyday experiences.

Programme Features

• Designed primarily to provide degree-holders having no undergraduate training in psychology to pursue further study and a career in psychology.
• Focus on the cultivation of a distinctive blend of knowledge and skills relevant to advanced training and different careers in psychology.
• Multiple concentrations catering for different interests and career aspirations.
• Classes meet primarily on weekday evenings.
• Credit Transfer could be granted for equivalent level of study.

To be eligible for admission, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements and:

• have a recognized bachelor's degree from one of the universities in Hong Kong or from any overseas institutions recognized for this purpose by the University,
• or an equivalent qualification, or
• have evidence of academic and professional attainments acceptable for this purpose by the University, AND
• provide documentary evidence that they have a) completed a course of introductory psychology offered by a recognized university or institution, or b) obtained relevant learning or working experiences related to psychology

An introductory course in psychology is considered to be a course which is taught at the undergraduate level and (1) provides an overview of major topics in psychology such as biopsychology, perception, cognition, learning, motivation, emotion, intelligence, personality and social psychology, and (2) lasts at least for one semester.

Applicants who do not have previous experience in psychology may enroll in a make-up course to meet the admission requirement. For more details about the make-up course (SS1101 Basic Psychology), please read the Enrollment information.  Applicants who plan to apply for admission to a particular academic year can enroll in the make-up course in the second semester of the preceding academic year or earlier.  Application for enrolment in the make-up course usually starts at the end of the first semester of the preceding academic year.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English should also fulfill the following minimum English proficiency requirement:

• a score of 59 (revised paper-delivered test)^ or 79 (Internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)^@#; or
• an overall band score of 6.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS)^@; or
• a score 450 in the new College English Test (CET-6) of Chinese mainland; or
• other equivalent qualifications.

In view of the recent development of COVID-19, ‘TOEFL iBT Home Edition’ and ‘IELTS Indicator’, as indicated below, are accepted as equivalent qualifications for the fulfillment of the University’s minimum English proficiency requirement for admission to TPg programmes until further notice:

• TOEFL iBT Home Edition: a score of 79; or
• IELTS Indicator: an overall band score of 6.5

^@TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years. Applicants are required to provide their English test results obtained within the two years preceding the commencement of the University's application period.

^# Applicants are required to arrange with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send their TOEFL results directly to the University. The TOEFL institution code for CityU is 3401.

^ Effective from 11 April 2021, the TOEFL revised paper-delivered test is no longer offered.

Remarks: For the Education stream, preference will be given to those who have had at least 2 years working experience in the educational setting. For both streams, prior knowledge about research methods and statistics would be an advantage.

Fellowship awards are available for local students admitted to this programme under the Fellowships Scheme supported by the HKSAR Government. This programme in the priority area of “Health” is one of the targeted programmes listed under the Fellowships Scheme with 5 fellowship awards. Local students admitted to the programme in full-time, part-time or combined study mode may be invited to submit applications for the fellowships. 

Students may obtain the MSocSc degree by studying in either Applied Psychology Stream or Education Stream.

1. Common Core Courses (21 credit units)

* SS5798 is offered as an option to students who have strong interest and ability in research. The availability of this option is subject to the approval by the Course Leader of SS5798.

2.  Courses for Respective Stream (9 credit units)
   
   Students are required to take any 9 credit units from respective stream course list.
   
   Applied Psychology Stream

Education Stream 

Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to apply for graduate membership of the Hong Kong Psychological Society. However, membership is granted on the basis of individual merits but not automatically upon application

The master award allows graduates to pursuit further study in psychology via the enrolment in research-based programs (e.g. MPhil or PhD) or professional training (e.g. clinical, educational, occupational, or counseling psychology). A number of graduates of the predecessors of this program have already become either researchers (e.g. college professors) or registered psychologists in clinical, education, occupational or counselling psychology.

Upon graduation, students who are qualified teachers and with a concentration in the Education stream are expected to be competent in teaching in inclusive settings.

Scholarships and prizes are available for outstanding students. For more details, please visit the webpages below.

1. UGC Targeted Taught Postgraduate Programmes Fellowships Scheme (for local students): https://www.cityu.edu.hk/pg/taught-postgraduate-programmes/fellowships-scheme
2. Outstanding Students Prizes (for both local and non-local students):
   https://ssweb.cityu.edu.hk/study/co-curricular-activities/scholarship

Programme Descriptions
Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences