Masters Programme in Organisational Psychology

BUS5033W - Organisational Psychology Masters Coursework

BUS5034H - Organisational Psychology Masters Dissertation

About the programme

The Master’s programme in Organisational Psychology is quite unique, because we have merged traditional organisational psychology and human resource (HR) management into a strategic people management programme. At no other university will you be able to combine the modules listed below. We do believe that in order to become a strategic partner in an organisation, people management specialists have to have advanced knowledge of both human behaviour and HR processes. Successful completion of this programme may lead to such knowledge and skills.

What are the programme requirements?

The programme is aimed at people who work in the field of people management. A good Honours degree in Organisational/Industrial Psychology or Human Resource Management is a requirement for entrance. Please note that we do not accept candidates who hold Honours degrees in any other field of study. You need to have completed at least four years worth of Organisational Psychology or Human Resource Management in order to be selected into this programme.

Entrance into the programme is by means of a selection process. Selection criteria are academic performance in the degrees stated, the University's employment equity policy and relevant working experience in the people management field.

Can I do this if I work full time?

Classes are scheduled from 17h00-19h00, two days per week. Coursework assignments, research dissertations, presentations and supervisory meetings are scheduled to suit people who work full time.

How long is this programme?

The Masters programme is a one-year, full time programme. Students could enrol as occasional students over a two-year period, but this will have cost implications. The course starts in February and ends in November.Both the coursework and the dissertation are completed within the same year of study.

Do you offer an on-line or part-time Master’s course?

No, we do not offer this programme on-line or part-time.

Do you offer a Master’s degree by dissertation only?

No, we only offer a Master’s degree by coursework and dissertation.

What does the programme consist of?

The central theme of the programme is the people manager as a strategic business partner. The programme consists of two parts: a coursework section and a research dissertation of 20,000 words.

The coursework section of the programme consists of six modules (please click here to get more information about content and the lecturer). Two modules are compulsory:

• Organisational Context
• Research Methods

and students can choose four of the following elective modules:

• HR Programme Evaluation
• Positive Organisational Behaviour
• Reward Management and Talent Retention
• Psychological Assessment
• Career Psychology
• New Worlds of Work

For the research dissertation, students choose a research topic offered by a supervisor who works in this focus area. The research dissertation is aligned with the Research Methods module and structured in such a way that students complete it within one year. The dissertation is limited to 20,000 words.

Does the programme lead to registration as an Industrial Psychologist?

The programme is recognised by the South African Board of People Practice as contributing toward professional training in Human Resource Practice. It is also recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa as contributing to registration as an Industrial Psychologist.

How do I apply?

Students applying for the Masters programme should complete both the official University application form as well as a Section's Application Form from the School of Management Studies.

Completed application forms must be submitted by 25 November in the year preceding that for which the application is made. No late or incomplete applications will be entertained.

You will be informed whether you have been selected into the programme by the first week in December of the year preceding your study year.   Attending the full orientation programme in February of your study year is a precondition for your registration as a student.

Cost and Financial Assistance

Please go to the University website and check the cost of the programme under the relevant course codes (BUS5037W and BUS 5043H). For planning purposes, in 2009 the cost of the coursework part was approximately R19,000 and the dissertation part approximately R5,300 (please note, this will change in 2010 and is just and approximate cost for planning).

Limited financial support is available in the form of scholarships, bursaries and student loans. Please contact the Postgraduate Funding Office for more information (pgfunding@uct.ac.za). Please note that some scholarships require application by June of the year preceding your study year. You are advised to apply in June even if you do not know by then whether you have been selected into the programme. International students are advised to find sponsorship in their country of origin, as financial support for them is limited.

Student Housing

Should you want to know about student housing at Cape Town University, please contact res@uct.ac.za.

Who should I contact?

Please contact the course convener, Dr Suki Goodman (Suki.Goodman@uct.ac.za) for any further information.