MAppPsy
Master of Applied Psychology

Entry is competitive.  The number of students accepted into the programme is limited.

Year 1 admission
To be considered for admission into Year 1 of the MAppPsy programme, applicants must have a Bachelor's degree with at least a B+ grade average across the Psychology major.  Note that if admitted to Year 1, progression to the Year 2 masters thesis is subject to attaining at least a B+ grade average across Year 1 papers (120-points including the compulsory papers for the respective specialisation as set out in the Catalogue of Papers. Enrolment is also subject to supervision being available for the masters thesis.

Year 2 admission
To be considered for admission into Year 2 of the MAppPsy programme, applicants must have an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (or equivalent) with at least a B+ grade average, including the compulsory papers for the respective specialisation as set out in the Catalogue of Papers.  Enrolment is subject to supervision being available for the masters thesis.

Knowledge, skills, certification, and pathways beyond the MAppPsy.

The Master of Applied Psychology in Behaviour Analysis provides students with:

• a sound understanding of the underlying concepts and principles associated with Behaviour Analysis, and of the applications of these concepts and principles
• a knowledge of the research skills required for behaviour analysis, including the ability to read, interpret and appraise published behavioural research critically, and the ability to conduct fundamental and, where appropriate, applied research in behaviour analysis
• an understanding of functional analyses of problem behaviour and of how to develop an appropriate programme for behaviour change in their area of specialty
• analytic and library research skills, and skills in presenting proposals and reports in both written and oral format.

The Behaviour Analysis courses available for this degree are verified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®). The MAppPsy(BA) provides a pathway to the Postgraduate Diploma in the Practice of Psychology (Applied Behaviour Analysis), which can lead to registration as a psychologist in New Zealand and certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst®, an internationally recognized certification.

Community Psychology is available as a specialist graduate subject. The University of Waikato is the only institution in New Zealand to offer this professional practice programme that has been accredited by the New Zealand Psychologists Board. Community Psychology is an applied degree, suitable for students wishing to work with community groups. The Master of Applied Psychology degree offers a flexible, step-wise progression through the academic and professional qualifications with the potential to lead to registration as a psychologist.

Building on learning obtained in undergraduate degrees, the goals of the MAppPsy(Comm) are to provide graduates with a quality learning experience for transitioning from academic knowledge to professional practice.

Graduates will have the opportunity to become familiar with how community psychology relates to working in a range of contexts and with a range of groups. Through this programme you will develop and enhance your oral and written communication skills as well as your research skills, through: proposals, reports and evaluation.

Waikato MAppPsy(Comm) students learn from experts in the field of Community Psychology. Our team includes University academics along with teaching support from registered psychologists. The programme is supported by professionals (from the Institute of Community Psychology – IcomPA) and alumni (Programme Associates) who contribute from time to time as guest lecturers or examiners.

After completing your MAppPsy(Comm) you can go on to do supervised practice in order to register as a Psychologist. Community Psychologists work in health, education, social development, justice sectors  as well as private practice. Community Psychologists are knowledgeable about issues relevant to disability, iwi, environmental and social services agencies, as providers and funders, as well as policy makers. All of these skills makes Community Psychology graduates highly employable.