Graduate

The Department of Psychology at the University of Waikato has a strong graduate programme providing further study in many areas of psychology. One of the Department's strengths is in applied research and it offers taught graduate papers emphasizing the application of psychological principles. These papers form the basis for several applied qualifications. The Department is also strong in basic research and offers taught graduate papers that provide in-depth coverage of various aspects of psychology. The academic staff have a wide range of research interests and are available to supervise Master's theses and higher degrees (PhD and MPhil) in their areas of expertise.

To see if you are eligible for graduate study see the Graduate Handbook (1mb pdf) for entry requirements.

To see what PhDs and MPhils are being undertaken in the Department, check out what our Doctoral students are studying.

Graduate Papers

The Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology*, PGDip(Psych), is the entry point to graduate study for many students (Application form ).  It is a very flexible degree program consisting of 120 points worth of graduate papers (500-level), with a minimum of 90 points in psychology papers.  Students can commence study in the PGDip(Psych) in either the A or B Semester.

Students who complete the PGDip(Psych) may then apply to do a 1 year MSocSc or MA thesis or apply to transfer into the second year of one of the MAppPsy programmes.  During the Postgraduate Diploma year we suggest that students approach potential supervisors to talk about possible supervision for a thesis for the following year.

*This diploma should not be confused with the PGDipPsych (Clin), which is taken after completing a PGDip(Psych) or Honours degree and concurrently with a MSocSc degree.

The BSocSc(Hons), BA(Hons) or BSc(Hons) is one year of full-time study, and consists of taught graduate papers up to a total of 90 points plus a 30 point dissertation, with a minimum of 90 points in psychology papers. Entry to honours requires the availability of appropriate supervision for the honours dissertation.  The availability of dissertation supervisors will determine the number of students accepted into honours each year.

The Honours Application form (Application form) requires an indication of the preferred supervisor for the honours dissertation.   The deadline for the department application is the first Monday in December for acceptance into the programme beginning in Feb/March each year.

The MSocSc or MA  is one year of full-time study, and includes a 120 point thesis or a 90 point thesis and papers up to a total of 30 points or a 60 point dissertation and papers up to a total of 60 points. Students should approach potential supervisors during their Honours/PGDip year to discuss possible thesis topics. Before enrolment can be approved students need to complete the Masters Application form and obtain the signatures of 2 supervisors.

The MAppPsy is a two-year full-time programme (240 points), specialising in organisational psychology, behaviour analysis or community psychology Students may commence study in either the A or B semester. In the first year, students take graduate papers to the equivalent of 120 points. In the second year, after discussion with staff, students take either a 120 point thesis or a 90 point thesis and graduate papers to a total of 30 points or a 60 point dissertation and graduate papers to a total of 60 points. Students applying for entry to the MAppPsy following completion of an undergraduate degree with a major in psychology should complete the MAppPsy Application form while students applying for entry following completion of Honours/PGDip should complete the Masters Application form.

Graduate Psychology Papers (Catalogue of Papers)

Postgraduate Diplomas

The Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical (PGDipPsych(Clin)) involves a three-year programme taken concurrently with, or after completion of a MSocSc or PhD. The programme takes a minimum of three years to complete.

The Postgraduate Diploma in the Practice of Psychology (PGDipPracPsych) is a 12-month full-time (but also available part-time) programme of study available to graduates with a Masters degree in Psychology who have specialised in either Community Psychology, Organisational Psychology or Applied Behaviour Analysis. The student is required to pass three compulsory papers totalling 120 points. It is designed to meet the requirements for registration as a psychologist under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act.

Graduate Psychology Papers (Catalogue of Papers)