Master of Psychology

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Psychology is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge to initiate, complete and be able to write a research on topical subjects in Psychology. This Master's Degree will enable a graduate to master the principles of theory and research, while in the process of investigating a problem in a specific field of Psychology. Furthermore, graduates will be equipped with advanced overall research skills for academic scholarship by means of the experience of successfully completing a dissertation or (interrelated) published article(s)/publishable manuscript(s).

The Master of Psychology will promote knowledge of research methodology and design skills, the rationale for research undertakings, academic literature reviews and international article searches, programme development skills, research presentation skills, report writing skills, academic formulation skills, ethical research awareness and consideration, researcher reflexivity, critical thought, research participant sensitivity, as well as professional best practices in research.

The Master of Psychology (by dissertation) will promote knowledge of research methodology and design skills, the rationale for research undertakings, academic literature reviews and international article searches, programme development skills, research presentation skills, report writing skills, academic formulation skills, ethical research awareness and consideration, researcher reflexivity, critical thought, research participant sensitivity, as well as professional best practices in research in Psychology. This will be instrumental in the development of distinguished doctoral scholars and academics in Psychology.

The qualification will also enable learners to perform acceptable psychometric and other psycho-social assessments for specific research data collection purposes.

Rationale

This qualification will provide a learning pathway for Honours graduates to progress and continue on the academic route in Psychology. This will provide access for more learners to a qualification that leads to both a research and an academic career in the field of social sciences in general, and especially within Psychology or behavioural sciences.

This qualification will provide graduates with the opportunity to apply for research, and social sciences and public health sciences related employment, or career opportunities, at relevant governmental, educational and other relevant companies and institutions.

The dissertation will be built around the niche research areas which include the following specialist options: Resilience, coping and well-being; stress and suicide amongst adolescents; disability studies; positive psychology and psychofortology; learner access and success; gerontology; teaching of psychology; career psychology; child psychology; social psychology; marital well-being; and psychobiographical studies in greatness and exceptional development.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In exceptional cases, where learners who do not comply with the admission requirements, the Recognition of Prior Learning for access will be applied according to the rigorous institutional RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor Honours Degree in Psychology, Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, Level 8.

This qualification consists of a dissertation totalling 180 Credits.

• PSMA 8900: Psychology Masters by Article Format, 180 Credits.

Or

• PSMA 8900: Psychology Masters by Mini-Dissertation Format, 180 Credits.

1.Appraise or make a situation analysis of the research needs in society and choose a topic in accordance with the research specialisation areas of staff in the Department of Psychology.

1. Engage with, and be sensitive to the ethics involved in professional research behaviour and critique current practices in research design and methodology.
2. Compile a comprehensive and clear research proposal of high quality that is reflective of critical thought and indicative of a well-chosen research design and method.
3. Employ advanced research skills in order to implement an appropriate research design, including data collection and analysis techniques.
4. Conduct comprehensive and international literature reviews and successfully undertake research in the field of Psychology, as well as produce a high quality dissertation or interrelated article(s), research reports, make valuable recommendations for the institutions, groups or individuals whom partook in the research undertaking.
5. Disseminate the findings in a professional and ethical manner within article publication format or as a presentation at scientific congresses.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Construct an effective situational analysis.
• Produce an effective and viable choice of a research topic/theme.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Obtain ethical clearance.
• Conduct data collection ethically with clear demonstration of ethical sensitivity and awareness related to the research process and participants.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Formulate a research proposal.
• Present and defend research proposal successfully to be accepted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Effectively use and implement research design and methods.
• Select appropriate research methodology.
• Select and apply research subject/participant sampling procedures.
• Effectively use and demonstrate data collection techniques.
• Effectively analyse data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Execute successful and independent research literature reviews in the literature chapter compilation.
• Draw conclusions and findings.
• Reflect on limitations and further research possibilities of research project.
• Produce dissertation/articles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate research output using high quality writing skills, technical styling skills and editorial requirements for authors as stipulated by the American Psychological Association's guidelines for authors in psychology.
• Effectively and soundly discuss findings in relation to other previously published research.
• Effectively report and disseminate research findings.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment will be in the form of the production of a dissertation or a minimum of one (interrelated) published articles or publishable manuscripts. The research will be conducted through supervision by a supervisor and co-supervisor, if applicable, and as approved by the Faculty Board of the Humanities.

The dissertation or the option of an article format will be assessed in accordance with the General Rules for First Qualifications, Postgraduate Diplomas, Bachelor Honours Degrees, Master's Degrees, Doctoral Degrees, Higher Doctoral Degrees, Honorary Degrees and Convocation.