MA in Psychology (Research)
University of Johannesburg
Key Information
Campus location
Johannesburg, South Africa
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
ZAR 40,802 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* fees for the complete programme amount to between R40802,00 and R101910,00. Fees may vary depending on the composition of a particular qualification
Introduction
Psychology is a multidisciplinary field that is centered around understanding human behavior and mental processes. By studying psychology, you will learn more about the diverse and dynamic nature of people and, in turn, foster a deeper understanding of yourself and others.
The primary purpose of a major in Psychology is to provide students with a broad-based and cohesive knowledge of the field which, itself, serves as a foundation for several other disciplines taught at the tertiary level.
Holding a degree in psychology equips the graduate with a range of analytical, interpretive, and integrative skills that not only have a practical value for society as a whole but, moreover, are necessary and required competencies in a range of employment contexts.
Students develop advanced quantitative and qualitative research skills in Psychology. Such skills can lead to a research-based or academic career. Application of research methodology and the competent communication of research findings must be demonstrated; students must thus be able to conduct independent research. Attendance of workshops and/or contact sessions will be required. Please note that this degree does not lead to registration as a Research Psychologist with the HPCSA.
Reasons for studying at UJ
- UJ offers not only a special program called the First Year Experience to help orientate students throughout the first year but we also offer a Senior Student Experience that gears students toward the workplace!
- Grab the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and train alongside Olympians and Paralympians on state-of-the-art pitches, tracks, and fields, or just keep fit by joining one of the gyms on each of our 4 campuses.
- Be part of a young, vibrant, and agile university that reflects and adapts easily to our country’s aspirations, while maintaining global relevance through numerous international partnerships.
- 178 Internationally respected and accepted qualifications.
- Join a university that cares enough to have raised over R300 million since the start of 2016 in order to support the Missing Middle Campaign. UJ also ensures that more than 6 000 needy students have two healthy meals per day.
- Study in the vibrant City of Gold – the economic hub of South Africa. Join a vibrant, cosmopolitan, progressive group of students and academics on their way to re-imagining the future!
- UJ offers an amazing on-campus experience whether you live in one of UJ’s residences, belong to a day house, or whether you just want to socialize at the Student Centres on all campuses.
- We ensure the health, safety, and security of all our students through our own on-campus health services and UJ Protection Services.
- Did you know that during the first five years of UJ’s existence it doubled its targeted research output and to this day, continues to break records!
Admissions
Curriculum
Majors and elective modules to combine with Psychology as major include:
African Languages; Anthropology Classical Culture and Methodologies; Development Studies; History; Industrial Psychology, Languages; Linguistics; Philosophy; Public Management and Governance; Sociology and/or Strategic Communication.
The University of Johannesburg strives to be an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. The UJ's mission is to inspire its community to transform and serve humanity through innovation and the collaborative pursuit of knowledge. The UJ Psychology department draws inspiration from its location in the cosmopolitan city of Johannesburg. UJ Psychology places emphasis on positive functioning, well-being, and health promotion in the city. The department offers training at the undergraduate and honors level, which extends into the professional training of the master's clinical and counseling programs and it includes a diverse program in research Psychology. The department also hosts an active doctoral and postdoctoral program.
The department is proud of its alumni boasting several high-profile South Africans in business, academia, and civil society. The curriculum is inclusive of established psychology theory as well as African-centered and local epistemologies to provide a contextualized curriculum, while still being internationally relevant. The department has an increasing pan African and global footprint with collaborations in a number of countries.
Rankings
Shanghai Ranking
- World Rankings: 601-700 in the world / 5th in South Africa and 6th in Africa
- Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS):
Hospitality & Tourism Management: 18th in the world, 1st in South Africa and Africa
Sociology: Top 150 in the world, 1st and only one ranked in South Africa and Africa
Public Administration: Top 150 in the world, 1st and only one ranked in South Africa and Africa
Education: Top 300 in the world, 1st in South Africa and Africa
Earth Sciences: Top 300 in the world, 2nd in South Africa and Africa
Geography: Top 300 in the world, 2nd in South Africa and Africa
Chemical Engineering: Top 400 in the world, joint 1st in South Africa and Africa
Political Sciences: Top 400 in the world, 3rd in South Africa and Africa
Physics: Top 400 in the world, 3rd in South Africa and Africa
Management: Top 500 in the world, 1st in South Africa and Africa
Ecology: Top 500 in the world
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)
- World Rankings: 434 in the world, in the Top 1.4% / 3rd in South Africa and Africa
- Subject Rankings:
English Language & Literature: Top 250 in the world, joint 3rd in South Africa and Africa
Chemical Engineering: Top 350 in the world, joint 3rd in South Africa, and joint 4th in Africa
Education & Training: Top 350 in the world, 5th in South Africa and Africa
Economics & Econometrics: Top 400 in the world, joint 4th in South Africa, and joint 5th in
Africa Agriculture & Forestry: Top 400 in the world, 6th in South Africa
Physics & Astronomy: Top 450 in the world, joint 2nd in South Africa, and joint 3rd in Africa
Environmental Sciences: Top 450 in the world, 6th in South Africa and Africa
Chemistry: Top 500 in the world, joint 3rd in South Africa, and joint 6th in Africa
Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering: Top 500 in the world, 5th in South Africa
Medicine: Top 650 in the world
- QS Graduate Employability Rankings:
Top 500 in the world, joint 4th in South Africa
Times Higher Education (THE)
- World Rankings: 601-800 in the world / Joint 7th in South Africa
- Subject Rankings:
Law: Top 201+ in the world, joint 4th in South Africa and Africa
Education: Top 300 in the world, joint 3rd in South Africa and Africa
Psychology: Top 400 in the world, joint 2nd in South Africa and Africa
Arts & Humanities: Top 400 in the world, joint 3rd in South Africa and Africa
Social Sciences: Top 400 in the world, 4th in South Africa and Africa
Life Sciences: Top 500 in the world, joint 4th in South Africa, and joint 5th in Africa
Business & Economics: Top 600 in the world, joint 4th in South Africa, and joint 6th in Africa
Engineering & Technology: Top 600 in the world, joint 4th in South Africa
Clinical & Health: Top 600 in the world
Computer Science: Top 800 in the world, joint 4th in South Africa
Physical Sciences: Top 800 in the world
- THE Young University Rankings: 173 among young universities, 4th in South Africa
- THE Emerging Economies University Rankings: 116 among universities in emerging economies, 7th in South Africa
US News & World Report’s Best Global Universities Rankings (BGUR)
- World Rankings: 378 in the world / 5th in South Africa and Africa
- Subject Rankings:
Geosciences: 222 in the world, 2nd in South Africa and Africa
Chemistry: 280 in the world, 1st in South Africa and Africa
Social Sciences & Public Health: 287 in the world, 5th in South Africa and Africa
Physics: 289 in the world, 3rd in South Africa and Africa
Engineering: 392 in the world, 2nd in South Africa, and 4th in Africa
Plant & Animal Science: 424 in the world
Environment/Ecology: 463 in the world
Program Outcome
- Offering students an outstanding education in the discipline and profession of psychology that prepares them to deal with challenges and opportunities at all levels of society as well as on the personal, interpersonal, and psychological levels of existence;
- Facilitating the development of a management structure within the Department that is characterized by democracy, transparency, respect, and accountability;
- Encouraging members of staff in their career development through the mobilization of resources, providing a supportive infrastructure to promote high-quality, peer-reviewed research and its publication, as well as supporting staff to attend relevant academic conferences and workshops;
- Developing a culture of first-rate scholarship and learning for both staff and students and the establishment of excellent teaching practice and productive student-staff relationships;
- Positioning the Department as a member of a world-class African University within a world-class city that seeks to support staff and students to engage with local communities through research, teaching, skills development, and various program implementation activities;
- Positioning the Department as a non-discriminatory organization that attracts top quality staff and students;
- Undertaking to increase the national and international reputation of the Department and the University by collaborating with international academics and professionals in teaching and research;
- Pursuing appropriate policies that promote the development of a Department that seeks to maintain a social, ethical, and political responsibility toward the growth of the discipline of Psychology.
Career Opportunities
Work for NGOs, Government or Private Sector, Administrative support, Public Affairs, Education, Business, Sales, Service Industries, Employment Counselor, Correction Counselor Trainee, Interviewer, Personnel Analyst, Probation Officer, Writer, and Researcher, amongst others.