Why pursue graduate study in Psychology?

Psychology contributes to society by providing behavioural scientists who are equipped with the skills to use empirical research methods to seek an account of human behaviour and experience. Here at the National University of Singapore (NUS), our programme is academically eclectic and produces graduates who are academically the equal in coverage and standards of any from overseas institutions.

Graduate Studies Coordinators' Message

Assoc Prof See, Ya Hui Michelle
Associate Professor | Director of Graduate Studies (Non-Clinical)

Dr Jia, Lile
Assistant Professor | Deputy Director of Graduate Studies (Non-Clinical)

Dr Jeevanandam, Lohsnah
Senior Lecturer | Director of Clinical Psychology Programme | Graduate Clinical Admissions Coordinator

Programmes & Curriculum

About the Course

With mounting international awareness of the impact of mental disorder on public health, clinical psychology is a growing field in Singapore. Currently, there is a widespread demand for clinical psychology services. 

This programme is based on the scientist-practitioner approach, builds on up to date theoretical and empirical knowledge, and aims to provide opportunities to develop core competencies necessary for clinical practice. It is taught through coursework, research, and practical placement components.

Course Structure

1. Complete and pass:

  1. Seven (7) coursework modules
  2. Students will be required to undertake three (3) placements under the supervision of qualified clinical psychologists, with each placement lasting 6 months (January-June and July-December).
  3. The research component of the programme entails a graduate research methods module (PLC5008), a research proposal (PLC5009) submitted towards the end of the first year, and the research thesis (PLC5010) submitted towards the end of the second year. 
  4. Where applicable, obtained a satisfactory grade in the graduate English course at intermediate level

2. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00.

For more information on modules, see here.

For more information on the course, see here.

About the Course

The department offers the M.A. in Psychology, requiring both coursework and the submission of a written thesis. Applicants for the M.A. degree should have a good honors degree in Psychology or a related discipline, or such other qualifications and experience as the Faculty and Board of Graduate Studies may approve.

The graduate program of the Department of Psychology is divided into six research areas. They are:

  • Clinical Science and Health Psychology
  • Cognition
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Quantitative Psychology
  • Social and Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Social, Personality, and Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Other than these six research areas, the department has several faculty members who work on two research themes focusing on

  • Emotion
  • Language and Communication

Course Structure

1. Complete and pass:

  1. Four (4) modules (at least 75% of the total modular credit (MC) requirements must be at level 5000 or 6000), including
    1. PL6770 Graduate Research Seminar
    2. PL5221 Analysis of Psychology Data Using GLM or PL5222 Multivariate Statistics in Psychology
  2. Where applicable, obtained a satisfactory grade in the graduate English course at intermediate level
  3. Thesis

2. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.00.

For more information on modules, see here.

About the Course

The department offers the Doctorate in Psychology, requiring both coursework and the submission of a written thesis. Admission into the Ph.D. programme requires a good Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.

The graduate program of the Department of Psychology is divided into six research areas. They are:

  • Clinical Science and Health Psychology
  • Cognition
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Quantitative Psychology
  • Social and Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Social, Personality, and Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Other than these six research areas, the department has several faculty members who work on two research themes focusing on

  • Emotion
  • Language and Communication

Course Structure

1. Complete and pass:

  1. Six (6) modules (at least 75% of the total modular credit (MC) requirements must be at level 5000 or 6000), including
    1. PL6770 Graduate Research Seminar
    2. PL6208 Empirical Research Project
    3. Two (2) of PL5221 Analysis of Psychology Data Using GLM, PL5222 Multivariate Statistics in Psychology, or PL5225 Structural Equation Modeling
  2. Obtain a minimum Cumulative Average Point (CAP) of 3.50
  3. Where applicable, obtain a satisfactory grade in the graduate English course at advanced level
  4. Pass a PhD Qualifying Examination

For more information on modules, see here.

Job Ready

In addition to being a scientific discipline, psychology has a professional and vocational role. For instance, psychologists are involved in the assessment of mental disability and mental illness, and subsequently contribute to treatment, rehabilitation and training of individuals with these conditions. Psychologists are also involved in such diverse areas as counselling, occupational guidance, and the development of health education and other public campaigns.

The Department of Psychology has established and maintains links with the Singapore Psychological Society and various institutions that provide psychological services, such as MINDEF, MCYS, MSF, MOE, MOH, ITE, SPRING Singapore, a number of voluntary social service organizations, as well as in consultancy firms and research organisations. 

Testimonials

Chriswong

Chris Wong Tak Wee
Masters in Psychology (Clinical)

The two years in the programme had been a wonderful journey of personal and professional growth. Lasting friendships and memories were forged, and a robust training in the scientist-practitioner approach has equipped me with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to continue developing as a clinical psychologist.

Wewalaarachchi Thilanga Dilum
PhD in Psychology

With the scholastic resources offered by the PhD Psychology programme in NUS, I was able to pursue my research passion in developmental psycholinguistics. My research interests lie in the area of lexical tone and bilingual language acquisition, which made Singapore the perfect place to do this research. I am particularly grateful to the strong emphasis and importance given to research excellence in NUS, which has been instrumental in my growth as a scholar.

Thilanga-Wewalaarachchi

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