Course details

Summary

You'll choose your specialist area in behaviour analysis, community psychology or organisational psychology. You'll develop a detailed understanding of the underlying ideas relating to your chosen area, as well as learn about the fundamental principles and guiding values connected to your specialist field.

During your Master of Applied Psychology studies, you'll be given opportunities to gain relevant hands-on experience. This will be through getting involved in work placements and projects, where you'll be connected with a range of organisations and community groups.

The type of workplaces you'll be placed in depends on the specialist area you've chosen. You could have a placement in an educational environment such as a school, university or special education venue. You may do a project at a research institution or in a private practice. Perhaps you'll work with business and industry, or in the health sector. You may have a placement in a governmental agency, or if it fits in with your specialist area, a zoo.

Community Psychology

If you choose to specialise in Community Psychology, you'll develop the practical skills you need to apply psychological techniques to a range of social issues. New Zealand is becoming a more diverse society, so it's vital you can apply these techniques in a fair and culturally sensitive way – during your MAppPsy(Com) you'll learn how to do this. You'll develop the ability to analyse complex situations and plan appropriate actions. You'll be introduced to research and inquiry methods, and carry out your own practical research. Throughout your studies, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the key ideas, principles and fundamental values relating to this area of psychology.

In the first year of your MAppPsy(Com) studies, you'll gain experience in human and social services by completing a programme evaluation for a service provider. In the second year, you'll gain this experience by working with a relevant community organisation or organisations.

Once you've gained your MAppPsy(Com), you'll be qualified to work in health services, community service organisations, government departments and in private practice. You may choose to do contract work with human service organisations as a researcher, trainer or consultant.

The MAppPsy(Com) also provides a pathway into the Postgraduate Diploma in the Practice of Psychology (Community Psychology). This is a one year work-based programme accredited by the New Zealand Psychologists Board, which enables graduates to become registered as psychologists in New Zealand.

Entry criteria

To be admitted to the MAppPsy, you must have completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences (or equivalent) majoring in Psychology and must have achieved a satisfactory grade average over your 300 level Psychology papers normally a B+ average or better.

In addition you should have satisfactorily completed 20 points at 300 level in Behaviour Analysis, Community Psychology, Organisational Psychology or equivalent.

Candidates who have not met this requirement may be enrolled in the BSocSc(Hons) or PGDip in Psychology in the first instance, with the possibility of transferring to the MAppPsy.

English language requirements:

IELTS - 6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in writing); iBT (internet based TOFEL) - 90 with a score of 22 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic- 65 with English language requirements no less than 58 for each communicative skill; From Waikato Pathways College - Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic (CAAE) programme.