Master of Arts (Applied Psychology)

Unique Feature

It is designed to provide theoretical knowledge and research insights as well as practical skills to interested individuals who have the pre-requisite qualifications to train as specialists in the field of Educational Psychology or Counselling Psychology.

With effect from January 2021, the MAAP program provides students with 600 hours of practicum out of the 1000 hours required for registration with the Singapore Register of Psychologists under the Singapore Psychological Society.

Admission Requirements

You must have a good undergraduate degree, preferably with honors, from a reputable university. Preference will be given to those with a first degree in psychology, at least two years of relevant work experience and who are able to pursue the programme full time.

There is generally only one intake for this programme, in January. You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in May/June to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any particular intake.

Applicants who are currently working with sponsors, donors or financial institutions to fund their studies, are encouraged to submit their applications early to NIE so as not to miss out on our application period.

The Master of Arts (Applied Psychology) is offered on both part-time and full-time basis. The candidature periods are as follows:

Full-time

• Minimum 2 years
• Maximum 3 years

Part-time

• Minimum 2 years
• Maximum 4 years

The programme has a twin-track structure of Counselling Psychology and Educational Psychology. Each student will be offered only one specialisation.

Awards at the National Institute of Education are structured in terms of Academic Units (AU). The Master of Arts (Applied Psychology) comprises 42 AU. With effect from January 2022, the 42 AU include 4 core courses, 2 prescribed electives, 2 elective courses, two practicum attachments, and either:

• a dissertation or 2 additional electives Only students who perform well academically will be offered the dissertation option, which they may choose to take up.

Students Completing Dissertation

Students who are eligible for dissertation must write a research-based dissertation (6 AU) of around 15,000 words. They are required to complete 8 courses (24 AU) in total: 4 core courses,2 prescribed electives in their areas of specialization and 2 elective courses (preferably recommended electives from their area of of specialisation; and at least 1 elective must be in their chosen area of specialisation). The courses are 39 hours in duration (13 weeks x 3 hours). They are also required to complete two practicum attachments (12 AU).

Students Not Completing Dissertation

Students who are not completing dissertation are required to complete 10 courses (30 AU) in total: 4 core courses,2 prescribed electives in their areas of specialisation and 4 elective courses (preferably recommended electives from their area of specialisation; and at least 2 electives must be in their chosen area of specialisation). The courses are 39 hours in duration (13 weeks x 3 hours). They are also required to complete two practicum attachments (12 AU).

Important note for matriculated students: 
Please refer to the ISAAC system for the programme structure relevant to your intake during Course Registration or consult your programme leader, Dr Kit Phey Ling if you need clarifications.