Graduate Profile for the
Master of Applied Psychology (MAppPsy)

Preamble

The papers offered by the University of Waikato towards the Master of Applied Psychology have been designed to achieve the following particular outcomes involving mastery of content, acquisition of skills and development of attributes. Learning experiences are incorporated into the programme to bring about these desired outcomes, and assessment is designed to ensure that students have the opportunity to demonstrate their achievement.

The University has developed strong relationships and networks with communities and businesses to ensure that its programmes and qualifications are relevant and responsive to the students’ needs as well as the needs of the community and business. The University is also responsive to a range of social and economic goals which have been identified as priorities by Government. The generic capabilities developed by our graduates are of critical importance, as are specialist knowledge and skills. This graduate profile includes an outline of its links with other education sector groups, community groups, industry and employers who have an interest in the capabilities of graduates of this qualification, who contribute to programme planning and development and who also, in many cases, provide workplace experience opportunities.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences seeks in all its qualifications to familiarise students with central bodies of knowledge in the subject areas of Arts and Social Sciences, to encourage the development of the ability to analyse such knowledge critically, to provide the skills needed to articulate their knowledge and positions and to contribute to the extension of knowledge by research. The MAppPsy offers two specialist programmes: Organisational Psychology and Behaviour Analysis.

The MAppPsy(Behaviour Analysis) is a two year (full time) programme aimed at people wishing to gain a postgraduate qualification in the area of Behaviour Analysis. It will provide the basis for continuing on to a PhD in this area, provided the student gains the required level of honours (Second Class Division I).

Mastery of Content

Graduates of the Master of Applied Psychology have advanced knowledge of:

• the underlying concepts and principles associated with the area(s) of study, that is, psychological theory and research, particularly in relation to the psychology of work-related attitudes and behaviours and the functioning of organisations.
• the main methods of enquiry in these subjects. This knowledge is attained via empirical research and enquiry, along with practical experience in workplace environments.
• the techniques applicable to research in these areas of study. The graduate’s knowledge of research is based on both quantitative and qualitative research designs, including experimental and quasi-experimental research, surveys (e.g. interviews, questionnaires) and naturalistic observations of workplace behaviours.

Acquisition of Skills

A graduate in this field will have the skills outlined below:

• the ability to develop lines of argument and make sound judgements in accordance with basic theories and concepts in their subject(s)
• the ability to apply the methods and techniques that they have learned
• the ability to present, evaluate, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data
• the ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses
• the ability to effectively communicate information, arguments, and analyses in a variety of forms, to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• the ability to apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied, including, where appropriate, the application of those principles in an employment context
• the ability to evaluate critically current scholarship in the discipline
• the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project and to adjust the project in the light of unforeseen problems
• the ability to work effectively in a team
• and information literacy, that is, the ability to locate, evaluate and use information in a range of contexts.

Development of Attributes

A graduate in this field will have the general attributes listed below:

• an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge
• the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
• the confidence to make decisions in complex and unpredictable contexts
• the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further education and/or training
• self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems,
• the confidence to act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks
• an awareness of ethical issues.

A graduate in this field will also have the following specific attributes:

• organisational research skills, including the ability to read, interpret and critically appraise published organisational research, and the ability to conduct fundamental, applied research in organisational settings
• the ability to conduct organisational development and training needs analyses
• the ability to develop, implement and evaluate staff selection procedures
• the ability to conduct evaluations of psychological interventions in organisations, such as staff selection systems, training programmes, and organisational change and development interventions.

Graduate Pathways in Further Education

Master of Applied Psychology graduates who meet the admission requirements may enrol in an MPhil or PhD.

Community and Workplace Prospects

Graduates find employment in a wide range of organisations, including the Armed Forces, private- and public-sector corporations, consultancy firms, and government agencies. They contribute to these organisations in all of the attributes listed above. In addition, graduates may ultimately be self-employed as organisational consultants.

Graduates with this qualification will be able to contribute to the development of a wide variety of organisations in the following areas:

• Enhancement of procedures for the effective selection and training of employees
• Development of valid and fair performance management systems
• Enhancement of organisational communication, conflict management and resolution, leadership, decision making, teamwork, and other processes which depend on social processes
• Maintenance of positive work-related attitudes and behaviours among employees
• Strategies for effecting organisational change and development
• Development and implementation of interventions for alleviating job-related stress and ill-health
• Development of organisational policies which contribute to effective organisational functioning and the enhancement of individual well-being in workplace settings

Graduates with this qualification will be able to contribute to the welfare of employed individuals in the following areas:

• Development of positive work-related attitudes and behaviours
• Enhancing individual well-being through the establishment and maintenance of ‘healthy’ workplace environments
• Contributing to the development of policies and practices which facilitate a positive spill-over between job/career and family lives

Networks into Other Sectors

Networks exist with former graduates of the programme and with managers in organisations, as well as with organisations such as the NZ Institute of Management. These relationships assist students by facilitating research opportunities and experiential learning. Some papers within this programme provide direct opportunities for students to interact with human resources personnel in organisations and to learn about the issues and processes that are central to human resource functioning within these organisations. Research opportunities are provided for students to conduct their thesis or dissertation research.