RMIT University
Master of Science (Psychology)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Develop your advanced research skills and contribute to new developments in psychology.
Course overview
Psychological research plays an important role in advancing the understanding and treatment of mental and neurological disorders. The School of Health and Biomedical Sciences conducts discovery, translational and clinical research focused on healthy workplaces and employees, mental health, healthy ageing and chronic diseases. RMIT have research strengths in various areas of psychology, including the following:
- Clinical psychology: This area covers understanding and addressing various aspects of mental health and wellbeing, psychological assessment tools and diagnostic criteria for mental disorders, evidence-based treatments, psychopathology, prevention and early intervention.
- Organisational psychology: Look into effective leadership styles, employee motivation, resilience, job satisfaction, psychological safety, teamwork, organisational culture and communication.
- Neuropsychology: This area involves studying the relationship between brain structure/function and behaviour, particularly in the context of sleep disorders, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injury.
- Cyberpsychology: By integrating technology in the field of psychology, RMIT are exploring the use of mobile applications, virtual reality, gaming, as well as artificial intelligence to assess, diagnose and treat mental health disorders and addictions.
Key facts
What you will study
To graduate, you must complete the following courses. Unless otherwise indicated, each course is valued at 12 credit points.
Complete the following course prior to your first milestone review (confirmation of candidature):
- Doing Research for the Sciences
In consultation with your supervisory team, you may also elect to take up to one of the following courses during your candidature:
- Research for Impact in Sciences
- Quantitative Research Techniques
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Bioinformatics and Multi-Omics Data Analysis
- Digital Technologies
You may also consult with your supervisory team and take up to 12 credit points of approved university research electives.
Entry requirements
The minimum requirements for admission to a master's by research program are:
- A bachelor's degree requiring at least four years of full-time study in a relevant discipline, awarded with honours. The degree should include a research component comprised of a thesis, other research projects or research methodology courses that constitute at least 25% of a full-time academic year (or part-time equivalent). The applicant must have achieved at least a credit average in the final year; OR
- Evidence of appropriate academic qualifications and/or experience that satisfies the Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research Training and Development or nominee that the applicant has developed knowledge of the field of study or a cognate field and the potential for research sufficient to undertake the proposed program.
At RMIT, a grade of credit represents academic achievement of 60% or higher.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit for prior experience, which is also called recognition of prior learning (RPL), may be awarded for skills or knowledge gained during employment, professional development, short courses, on-the-job training or life experience. Contact the university for more details.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Graduates of a Master of Science by research will have:
- A body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more disciplines.
- Advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning.
- Cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and its application.
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories, as well as apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice.
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level.
- Cognitive and technical skills to design, use and evaluate research and research methods.
- Communication and technical skills to present coherent and sustained arguments and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge.
Career outcomes
As a graduate, you will be highly sought after for a research or research-related career (including senior leadership and management positions) in various health and medical sectors, including the government and public health, hospitals, universities and research institutes.
Expected career pathways for graduates of this degree include:
- Research and academic positions in universities, hospitals and research institutes.
- Government and public health careers, investigating public health issues, epidemiology, health policy and contributing to evidence-based decision-making.
- Consulting and program evaluation positions help organisations assess the effectiveness of their programs, interventions or policies.
- Advanced clinical practice in specialised areas.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Fee information for master's by research and doctoral (PhD) programs.
If you are an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen you may be eligible for a Research Training Scheme (RTS) place where your tuition costs are funded by the Commonwealth Government under the RTS and you have full exemption from tuition fees.
Acceptance in an RTS place is very competitive and places are granted on the condition that you meet annual progress requirements and complete within the allotted time for your program and your status as a part-time or full-time candidate.
This means a maximum of two years for a full-time Master's by Research or four years for a PhD (or the equivalent part-time).
Contact the School of Graduate Research for more information.
