The Hong Kong Institute of Education s Master of Social Sciences in Psychology (Schools and Community Settings)

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1 The Hong Kong Institute of Education s Master of Social Sciences in Psychology (Schools and Community Settings) Programme Coordinator: Dr. Emma E. Buchtel Department of Psychological Studies The Hong Kong Institute of Education

2 Introduction The new MSScP(SCS) is a Taught Postgraduate Conversion Course aimed at bachelor degree holders who are seeking an English-language Masters qualification equivalent to a Bachelor s degree in Psychology Eligible for HKPS membership; for those without previous Bachelor in Psychology, a required step before pursuing further Masters-level education in psychology Replaces the previously offered Postgraduate Diploma (PGP(SCS)); 2015/16 will be the second cohort of the MSScP(SCS) Graduates of the MSScP s predecessor, the PGP(SCS), have directly applied their upgraded knowledge and skills to their current career (e.g. teaching, HRO, etc.) Graduates have also: published their Research Thesis in psychology journals become members of the Hong Kong Psychological Society entered Masters of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and MPhil degree programmes in Hong Kong and abroad

3 Special features Foundational and advanced training in all basic areas of psychology, with a special focus on applications to learning and education, taught by award-winning research-track staff Courses taught by award-winning teachers and experts in their fields Department is now largest psychology department in Hong Kong; lots of research grants; received awards for teaching and research; respected researchers as well as educators Diverse and good-hearted classmates: Classmates may be part-time or full-time; may be aimed at further study and / or immediate application; include teachers, policemen, businesspeople, future psychologists and counsellors, etc. For applicants who have never taken the prerequisite Introductory Psychology course, a July online Bridging Course is offered (almost 50% applicants; Final Exam in-person, August 1)

4 Courses Offered in evenings (6:30pm-9:20pm) or Saturday afternoons Mode of Instruction is English 10 core courses, plus a Research Project (36 credits total) Recognition of Prior Learning (limited) Students who have taken equivalent courses before (at the postgraduate level; with good marks) may apply for course transfer up to 50% of credits

5 Courses 3 semesters / year Semester 1 (Sep-Dec), Semester 2a (Jan-Apr), & Semester 2b (Apr-Jul) 10 Core Courses (1 semester / 3 credits each): Personality Psychology Social Psychology Human Development across the Lifespan Biological Psychology Cognitive Psychology Abnormal Psychology Learning Theories & Processes Educational Psychology Research Methods in Psychological Studies Statistical Methods in Psychological Studies See for course descriptions Plus: Research Project in Psychological Studies (2 semesters / 6 credits)

6 Programme Length and Cost Tuition cost: $3,300 / credit ($118,800 total) 3-credit Bridging course for additional charge Part-time mode: Normal study period: 2 years (2 courses per semester) Maximum study period: 4 years Full-time mode: Normal study period: 1.5 years (2-4 courses per semester) Fast-track: For well-prepared students (e.g. have taking psychology courses before), you may apply to complete the entire programme in 1 academic year, from Sept-July Non-local students are recommended to budget an additional $7,000-$9,000 / month for living expenses

7 Transportation Classes are usually held at the Tai Po campus Accessible by private HKIEd bus to/from University MTR station Frequent shuttles run every minutes, and take ~15 minutes to reach campus Need Student ID to board

8 Courses offered in *: *subject to change Year Month Sem Course credits 2015 Sep-Dec Jan-Apr Apr-Jul 2a 2b Human Development across the Lifespan 3 Research Methods in Psychological Studies 3 Statistical Methods in Psychological Studies 3 Social Psychology 3 Personality Psychology 3 Cognitive Psychology 3 Educational Psychology 3 Research Project in Psychological Studies -- Biological Psychology 3 Abnormal Psychology 3 Learning Theories and Processes 3 Research Project in Psychological Studies 6 Bold = Relatively more difficult content Red = Required before starting Research Project (+ 3 more)

9 1.5-year full-time: Recommended course sequence Year Month Sem Course Credits 2015 Sep-Dec Jan-Apr Apr-Jul 2a 2b Sep-Dec 1 Research Methods in Psychological Studies 3 Statistical Methods in Psychological Studies 3 Choose 1: Social Psychology OR Human Development across the Lifespan 3 Personality Psychology 3 Cognitive Psychology 3 Educational Psychology 3 Biological Psychology 3 Abnormal Psychology 3 Learning Theories and Processes 3 Research Project in Psychological Studies (1) -- Research Project in Psychological Studies (2) 6 Social Psychology OR Human Development across the Lifespan 3 Bold = Relatively more difficult content Red = Required before starting Research Project (+ 3 more)

10 2-year part-time: Recommended course sequence Year Month Sem Course Credits 2015 Sep-Dec Jan-Apr 2a Apr-Jul 2b Sep-Dec 1 Jan-Apr 2a Apr-Jul 2b Research Methods in Psychological Studies 3 OR Statistical Methods in Psychological Studies Social Psychology OR Human Development across the Lifespan 3 Personality Psychology 3 Educational Psychology 3 Biological Psychology 3 Abnormal Psychology 3 Social Psychology OR Human Development across the Lifespan 3 Research Methods in Psychological Studies OR Statistical Methods in Psychological Studies 3 Cognitive Psychology 3 Research Project in Psychological Studies (1) -- Learning Theories and Processes 3 Research Project in Psychological Studies (2) 6 Bold = Relatively more difficult content Red = Required before starting Research Project (+ 3 more)

11 Fast-track 1-year degree*: Recommended course sequence Year Month Sem Course credits 2015 Sep-Dec Jan-Apr Apr-Jul 2a 2b Human Development across the Lifespan 3 Research Methods in Psychological Studies 3 Statistical Methods in Psychological Studies 3 Social Psychology 3 Personality Psychology 3 Cognitive Psychology 3 Educational Psychology 3 Research Project in Psychological Studies (1)* -- Biological Psychology 3 Abnormal Psychology 3 Learning Theories and Processes 3 Research Project in Psychological Studies (2) 6 * Recommended only for those with previous psychology courses or degree. Special permission must be sought from Programme Coordinator

12 Example timetable (Sem ) (Sem 1: Sept 8 Dec 17)

13 Research Project Similar to an undergraduate Honours Research Project, but more intensive Approx. 8 months Choice of supervisors within the PS department Develop your own research ideas with support from research supervisor; collect data, statistically analyze, & write it up in a 5,000-8,000-word thesis Present your proposal (1) and your final results (2) in poster presentation sessions Sample topics: Parenting style and screen media use in children Preschooler s academic ability, parental academic goals, and their effects on parental stress and student self-esteem Stereotyping of Mainland Chinese vs. Caucasian foreigners

14 Bridging Course Applicants who have not previously studied a survey Introductory Psychology course must take our online Bridging Course to meet that prerequisite The 2015 Bridging Course will be an intensive, online, introductory psychology course offered in July, 2015 Final in-person exam held August 1

15 Transportation Classes are usually held at the Tai Po campus Accessible by private HKIEd bus to/from University MTR station Frequent shuttles run every minutes, and take ~15 minutes to reach campus Need Student ID to board

16 Admission requirements A recognized Bachelor s degree with good GPA If language of instruction of previous degree(s) was not English, applicants should fulfill one of the following minimum English proficiency requirements: IELTS 6.0; or Grade C or above in GCSE/ GCE OL English; or a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (internet-based test) or 213 (computer-based test); or other equivalent qualifications. Introductory psychology course already completed at a recognized tertiary institution; or required to take online Summer Bridging Course in July (final exam: August 1)

17 Other similar-but-different HKIEd programmes Master of Education (MEd) 1-year FT, 2-year PT; 8 courses (3 in psychology) Master of Arts in Educational Counselling 2 years part-time; 6 courses plus practicum Master of Arts in Child and Family Education 1-year FT, 2-year PT; 6-8 courses Master of Science in Educational Speech- Language Pathology and Learning Disabilities 2-year FT, 72 credits

18 Why take our course? You wish to learn about all major areas of psychology indepth You know your life, relationships, and workplace could improve with more knowledge about how our minds work You would like the freedom to change careers to become a psychologist, pursuing further education after the MSSocP(SCS) You wish to learn new writing, thinking, and research skills to improve your career and life You wish to learn all this from respected young researcher-teachers, with warm-hearted classmates, and in an academic home (HKIEd) that loves education!

19 Applications and Contact Apply online Visit our department website to learn more about us Like us on Facebook to see occasional research and news updates Contact: Enquiries: Fax: Office Location: D1-2/F - 26, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories.