Occupational Psychology MSc

About the course

This programme combines high level vocational training with academic rigour. It prepares successful graduates for careers in a variety of areas including consultancy, specialist roles within organisations, research and areas of technical expertise. The MSc Occupational Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society and provides a one year exemption for those aiming to become Qualified Occupational Psychologists.

The aim of the programme is to produce rounded professionals with basic competence not only in the various technical areas, but also in a range of professional skills and competencies, enabling successful graduates to interact with future clients and colleagues in an effective manner.

The course includes the following areas:

• Human Potential and Performance
• Research and Professional Skills in Action
• Selection and Assessment
• Ergonomics and Human Factors
• Transition Psychology
• Organisations and Change
• Individual and Organisational Learning

You will also carry out a project, which is a substantive piece of investigative work, normally carried out in an external organisation. Host organisations for MSc projects have included government departments, large commercial concerns in both manufacturing and service sectors, a range of consultancies and charities.

Projects are sometimes conducted abroad; past locations include other European Union countries, Indonesia, China and Taiwan.

Staff who teach on the course include permanent academic staff who have industrial experience and who undertake regular consultancy work, and external psychologists both from consultancies and from large organisations. Teaching and learning methods include lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials and industrial visits. There is an emphasis on the development of practical skills.

Why choose this course?

• This programme provides many of the professional skills and competencies needed to become a Chartered Occupational Psychologist and to apply psychology in the workplace
• Accredited by the British Psychological Society, and counts towards gaining Chartered Occupational Psychologist status

View course leaflet for Occupational Psychology MSc

Study routes

• Part Time,
• Part Time, 3 Years
• Full Time, 1 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

This course prepares you for careers in a variety of areas including consultancy, specialist roles within organisations, research and areas of technical expertise.

Teaching methods

Assessment is by examination, coursework, demonstration of a series of competencies and completion of a project.

Work Placement

N/A

Professional Accreditations

British Psychological Society

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Ergonomics and Human Factors

  The module looks at psychological factors which affect the safe and effective performance of tasks. The module considers the use and design of equipment in terms of human resource and system limitations. The module begins by looking at work design at the micro level concentrating mainly on operator/equipment interaction. The module then progresses to the design of complete work environments and work procedures taking into account issues of Health and Safety at work.

• Human Potential and Performance

  The module focuses on the role of the human psychology within the framework of potential and performance at work. It examines the development of organisational theory and psychology, specifically on the relationship between the individual, work and the workplace. The module considers the role and meaning of the 'psychological contract', and examines the current literature. In addition, students are familiarised with the general area of employee relations and elements of conflict in the workplace. Theories of motivation at work are examined using a critical approach. The module also looks at aspects of diversity in the workplace. The role of emotions in organisations is reviewed. Contemporary theories of emotional intelligence and emotional labour are discussed within the context of potential, performance and motivation.

• Individual & Organisational Learning

  The module focuses on the role of the human psychology within the framework of potential and performance at work. It examines the development of organisational theory and psychology, specifically on the relationship between the individual, work and the workplace. The module considers the role and meaning of the psychological contract , and examines the current literature. In addition, students are familiarised with the general area of employee relations and elements of conflict in the workplace. Theories of motivation at work are examined using a critical approach. The module also looks at aspects of diversity in the workplace. The role of emotions in organisations is reviewed. Contemporary theories of emotional intelligence and emotional labour are discussed within the context of potential, performance and motivation.

• Organisations and Change

  The module examines the ways in which organisations might be usefully characterised. A critical approach is developed for examining organisational theories. Group dynamics and leadership, among other variables, are considered in an organisational context. Finally, the concepts of Organisational Development and Management of Change are examined. The module will consider the organisational context of employment. Students will examine the structure of organisations, dealing with questions such as functional specialisms, formal structures and roles, actors influencing the characteristics of organisations, strategy formulation and the role of strategic choice. The module will examine the field of Organisational Development and the role of the Occupational Psychologist as a practitioner in the field. Issues of organisational change and organisational culture will be discussed and students will be introduced to the techniques of the Organisational Development specialist.

• Project

  This part of the programme allows students to carry out a practical piece of work, normally conducted in an organisation external to the University. The project consists of a piece of applied work conducted on behalf of a host organisation. This may also take the form of an 'experimental' or theoretical investigation.

• Research and Professional Skills in Action

  The aim of this module is to introduce and develop those research and professional skills that are core to occupational/organisational psychology. The module is designed to explore the links between theory and practice and to highlight the specific skills that students need to demonstrate in order to become reflective professionals.

• Selection and Assessment

  This module provides the student with knowledge of current approaches to selection. The module covers the complete selection process from application forms through to evaluation of selection processes, from both an organisational and applicant perspective. The module begins by stressing the importance of job analysis and how job analysis is necessary in order to identify knowledge, skills and abilities required to write job descriptions, person specifications and design selection methods. Traditional approaches to screening applications are reviewed and alternative approaches such as biodata, competency based application forms, and online screening are introduced. Students are familiarised with methods and measurements used in assessment centres and the validity of assessment centres. Reasons for poor reliability and validity of selection interviewing are addressed and students learn how to improve interviews through the use of structured systems, and becoming aware of interviewer decision making and biases. Evaluation of selection procedures is also addressed, as are practical and methodological issues that are likely to affect the efficiency of selection and assessment in the workplace. Legal and broader organisational issues relevant in selection and assessment are also covered. This is a very practical module, with sessions comprising lecturer input followed by group work, allowing students to put into practice what they have learned. Assessment of the module is partially by a case study which requires students to draw upon all aspects of the module.

• Transition Psychology

  The module begins by outlining the intersection between the changing nature of society, work/non-work and how this impacts on the nature of career. The module introduces the idea of a career as an interstitial concept, that resides somewhere between the societal and individual level of analysis and the impact of this complexity for the theory and practice of careers. Students are asked to engage in reflecting on their own careers or career aspirations and influences on their choices and definition of what a career means for them.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £5,250 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Full time: £11,000 for the 2013 academic year

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply