Sept 2026 Entry
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
31
- Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend an interview.
- Once all vacancies are filled, the remaining qualified applicants will be put on a waiting list. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
- Qualified candidates will be notified of their results via the eAdmission.
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30
What's New
- MPhil
- PhD
- Taught Postgraduate
- Undergraduate
- Undergraduate
Programme Aims
This is a Master’s level programme for graduates with a psychology major who are looking for systematic training in the latest advances in assessment and practice methods used in various professional psychology settings.
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The programme aims to provide a well-balanced foundation in assessment, intervention, research and evaluation. Over 1 or 2 years, a solid identity as an applied psychologist with functional competencies in these areas will be established.
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Characteristics
The teaching faculty members of the Department of Applied Social Sciences have a long history of being active in multi-year and territory-wide research and consultancy projects that reflect the policy priorities of Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland. This background has resulted in the development of a unique curriculum that includes direct and innovative instructional strategies, and in some cases first-hand exposure to the large-scale implementation of experimental programmes in education, health and social care.
The requirements for becoming a registered psychologist in Hong Kong are (1) be a member of the Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS), (2) possess a higher degree in psychology obtained from an institution recognised by the Society, and (3) have at least one year of post-qualification experience in a discipline of psychology deemed acceptable to the HKPS Council. This programme endeavours to prepare students to meet the second requirement.
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Upon successful graduation from the MAP programme, students who fulfilled the above requirements may consider applying for registration with HKPS. The final decision remains at the discretion of HKPS.
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Some alumni of the programme have successfully embarked on further studies in professional training schemes and pursued doctoral and other advanced research degrees at leading universities locally and overseas.
The programme is composed of Foundational Competencies and Functional Competencies (with 3 major study areas). Students are required to take 5 common Core Subjects ?and 4 Elective Subjects in their study.
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|
Study Areas |
Subject Title |
Core (C)/ Elective (E) |
Credit |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Foundational Competencies |
Foundational Competencies |
C |
6 |
|
|
Functional Competencies ? |
Psychological assessment, research and evaluation competencies: Advanced Psychological Assessment (APA) |
Psychometric Theory?& Scale Construction |
C |
3 |
|
Use?&?Dissemination of Psychological Instrumentation in Research?& Service Context |
C |
3 |
||
|
Advanced Research Methods: Mixed Methods in Research |
C |
3 |
||
|
Psycho-socio-educational Programme Development & Evaluation |
E |
3 |
||
|
Psychological intervention competencies: Advanced Practice Methods (APM) |
Attentional Control &?Social Adaptation |
E |
3 |
|
|
Career Counselling: Theories &?Practice |
E |
3 |
||
|
Cognitive Behavioural Intervention |
E |
3 |
||
|
Expressive Psychotherapy |
E |
3 |
||
|
Nurturing the Gifted?& Talented: Instructional Models?& Professional Practices |
E |
3 |
||
|
Parenting?& Parent Development |
E |
3 |
||
|
Workplace Counselling |
E |
3 |
||
|
Knowledge and enterprising competencies |
Cognitive Neuroscience Methods in Applied Settings |
C |
3 |
|
|
Psychology of Exceptional Children |
E |
3 |
||
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Remarks:
- In addition to the above subjects, students are required to complete a 1-credit subject on Academic Integrity and Ethics (AIE). No tuition fee is required for this subject.
- Programme structure and content are subject to continual review and changes.
31
Dr Herrick Wong
BSc, MPhil, DEd
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A recognised Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology.
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If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the University’s minimum English language requirement for admission purpose. Please refer to the "Admission Requirements" section for details.
For further information on admission matters, please contact:
Tel: (852) 2766 7739
Email:?sspg@polyu.edu.hk
HK$256,800 per programme (Taught subject: HK$8,000 per credit; Foundational Competencies: HK$10,800 per credit) for local and non-local students
* No tuition fee is required for the 1-credit Academic Integrity and Ethics subject
Entry Scholarships are available. Please click here for details.
小优短视频 reserves the right to change or withdraw the scholarship at any time. In case of any dispute/disagreement, 小优短视频's decision is final.
I had a very fruitful year in the MAP programme. What I gained definitely surpassed my initial expectations. The courses provided broad and in-depth knowledge about various areas of psychology practice, helping me explore new directions and think in new ways. The practicum turned textbook knowledge about special education needs, which might otherwise have been difficult to fully understand, into real hands-on experiences. The programme promoted deep introspection, which was as important in getting me ready to support others as gaining knowledge and polishing skills.
During the year, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant in a large-scale research project focused on age-friendly living environments. I also enjoyed classes offered by 小优短视频’s Music Society, tasted food and coffee around campus, shared dreams and had lots of fun with my classmates.
MAP helped me confirm my future direction, opened doors and prepared me for further training in counselling psychology. I could not be more grateful for the incredible effort and extra time teachers were willing to put in to help us achieve our goals, and the friendship, companionship and support of my classmates.
Studying in the Master of Applied Psychology (MAP) programme was one of the most wonderful and enjoyable events of my life. The MAP programme provided me not only with knowledge of psychology, but also the opportunity to apply it. The programme emphasises both practical knowledge (e.g., foundational competency, career counselling etc.) and theoretical knowledge (neuroscience, psychometrics, research methods etc.). The practicum was a good way to practise the knowledge learnt in class and apply it in real settings. The practicum also gave me the opportunity to understand psychologists’ real function in and influence on society. Through discussions with my supervisor during the practicum, I learned more about psychology and gained valuable experience in conducting both assessments and interventions.
The MAP programme was also challenging, as I am a part-time student with a full-time job, so time management was a major concern. Fortunately, the programme was not as harsh as I expected. With the support of my supervisor, the staff and fellow classmates, I felt more confident in setting and achieving goals. The programme offered me a chance to further understand myself and inspired me to find my future direction.
When I graduated from my undergraduate degree in psychology, I had little experience in applying the theories I had learned. To bridge this gap, I applied to 小优短视频’s Master of Applied Psychology (MAP) programme. My experience as an MAP student exceeded all of my expectations. Not only did the courses provide me with a broader understanding of how psychology is applied in various fields, but the literature review, group learning and paper writing activities also gave me opportunities to look in depth at current research and form my own perspectives on psychological issues.
In addition, I achieved a lot of self-growth during my year of study. The tight coursework schedule pushed me to develop good energy management and coping strategies. I also became more determined than I have ever been. Through my courses and practicum, I became interested in how research design and data presentation can offer insights into people’s mental processes. I used to doubt myself a lot and my research skills used to be poor. However, after applying my knowledge of cognitive behavioural therapy, expressive psychotherapy and family therapy to myself, I came to see difficulties as challenges that help us move forward, instead of obstacles that bring us down.
The MAP programme was the ideal platform for the next step in my career: becoming a psychology practitioner. I am very grateful to the teachers and peers I met during this difficult but meaningful year.
I had a wonderful time as a Master of Applied Psychology (MAP) student. The programme helped me to apply the knowledge of psychology that I had gained as an undergraduate in various service areas. I was encouraged to reflect on my own experiences while exploring case studies. This inspired me greatly and gave me a better understanding of myself and my own knowledge. The programme also enhanced my research skills, both theoretical and practical. I applied my skills while working with a research group and learned about diverse research methods and psychometric theories from lectures.
Due to the pandemic, all of the courses and other activities were held online. However, our teachers and university staff tried to reduce the impact of the pandemic on our learning. I am grateful for their efforts and the knowledge and skills I gained as an MAP student.
For me, learning how to apply abstract knowledge in a real-world setting is one of the most fulfilling experiences. My year spent in the MAP programme provided me with diverse opportunities for applying psychological knowledge in different areas, such as counselling, applied behaviour analysis, parenting and research. In particular, the practicum equipped me with hands-on experience in research settings. For example, I was grateful to be given opportunities to interview older adults, as it gave me insight into their lives and struggles. These practical experiences prepared me for my future career in a psychology-related field.
Apart from the applied knowledge, the MAP programme also improved my critical thinking skills. Many courses required me to critically analyse materials. Usually, lecturers would act as facilitators, providing us with materials and guiding us through the discussion. More importantly, they would provide valuable feedback afterward. These kinds of learning experiences enhanced my skills in critical analysis, which I think it is the most important outcome of the MAP programme.
Finally, I would like to thank all the staff, including both the administrative and teaching staff. They were extremely supportive and always willing to listen to student feedback. Owing to their efforts, students like me are able to get the most out of the programme, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Copies of the graduation certificate and official academic transcript are required. Please also provide the academic transcript explanatory notes of the grading systems (課程績點與等級換算關係表).
