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University of Melbourne

  • 37% international / 63% domestic

Master of Applied Psychology

  • Masters (Coursework)

The Master of Applied Psychology (MAP) is designed for psychology graduates who want to develop practical skills in the applications of psychology and to employ them in the world of business; government; the non-profit sector; marketing, consumer and social research; and health.

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Duration
18 months full-time
Course Code
096378E
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb

About this course

The Master of Applied Psychology (MAP) is designed for psychology graduates who want to develop practical skills in the applications of psychology and to employ them in the world of business; government; the non-profit sector; marketing, consumer and social research; and health. The MAP is an innovative 1.5 year (full-time) program that includes subjects from the School of Psychological Sciences, the Faculty of Business and Economics, and the School of Population and Global Health. Subjects will cover social psychology, influence and persuasion, the psychology of advertising and communications, judgement and decision-making, attitude and behaviour change, consumer psychology, research methods and data analysis.

The MAP is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in psychology. However, students who have completed a fourth year or Masters program in psychology are also encouraged to apply and may be eligible for advanced standing.

The Master of Applied Psychology does not carry professional accreditation and is not a pathway to professional registration as a psychologist.

Graduates will have an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge in the application of psychological principles and theories to real world environments. Graduates will:

  • Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge in the application of psychological principles and theories to real world environments
  • Understand how theories and research of psychology can be applied to these real-world settings
  • Understand the implications of psychological research and theories in the commercial and social/government sectors
  • Be able to critically analyse research to determine its generalisability

Download course brochure

Entry requirements

Study locations

Parkville

What you will learn

The degree requires the completion of 150 points and can be commenced in semester one or semester two. Students will complete 125 points of compulsory subjects and with an emphasis throughout the course on the development of practical skills in applied contexts, the program will culminate in the completion of:

  • a 25 point Internship which will place students in relevant workplaces; or
  • a 25 point Research Project.

Students will participate in a dedicated program of lectures, seminars and tutorials and will enjoy a strong cohort experience.

Winona Johnson, Quantitative Research Design at Forethought

After completing my undergraduate studies in psychology, I knew I did not want to go down a clinical pathway, however felt unsure of what my next steps would be. After finding the Master of Applied Psychology, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. Through the course, I developed and refined my knowledge of human behaviour and decision making. Subsequently, I learned to practically apply my knowledge and skills to larger scale social and business problems.

The course structure enables you to explore many areas such as government, marketing, research, and health, and to then pursue the areas you are most interested in. The best part is that the skills and knowledge gained are so broadly applicable, so it is up to you where you take them.

Overall, the MAP was incredibly engaging and inspiring, from the content, to the lecturers and guest speakers, and even down to the cohort I studied alongside. The course opened so many doors for me. I quickly found my skillset was in high demand, and the job options were endless. I am now working in the market research industry, designing quantitative research that subsequently allows businesses to make evidence-based decisions.

Career pathways

The Master of Applied Psychology (MAP) will arm you with the skills and knowledge to apply psychological theories to real-world problems. As a graduate of this program, you'll be in a prime position to pursue a career in fields such as marketing, social/consumer research, advertising, user experience, consulting, public policy, or the non-profit sector.

The MAP was created to fill a gap in the market for applied psychology students (distinct from clinical or organisational psychologists) who want to work in emerging areas of behaviour change, behavioural insights, and consumer decision-making.

How to apply

Semester One Start Year Intake 2021 - Applications Now Open!

To ensure consideration for this intake, timely domestic applications need to be submitted by Wednesday 2nd December 2020.*

*Late applications may be accepted based on the availability of places. Only timely applications will be considered for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).

Classes start on Friday 26 February 2021.