Master of Science in Cross-Cultural Psychology

>> Background
>> Degree Requirements
>> Student Exchange
>> Part 1 Regulations
>> Part 2 Regulations
>> Partnership with Hawaii
>> Application and Admission

Background

The MSc in Cross-cultural Psychology established in 2006 offers students the opportunity to understand cultural variation in psychological processes and outcomes, the role of culture in shaping human behaviour, and the importance of understanding psychological responses from both culture-specific and culture-general perspectives. The programme will enhance the capacity to work with culturally diverse groups and in multi-cultural settings. It will additionally provide the skills required to undertake cultural and cross-cultural research.
The qualification will be particularly suitable for persons who plan to work with culturally diverse groups in New Zealand and to undertake research and policy analysis on related issues. It will also hold appeal for international students, particularly those from Asia and the Pacific, who wish to apply knowledge of cross-cultural psychology to work in their home countries.
Graduates in Cross-cultural Psychology will:

• have a sophisticated appreciation of cultural diversity
• the ability to understand and critically evaluate the psychological dimensions of cultural variability
• a sound understanding of both culture-specific (including indigenous) and pan-universal psychologies
• the critical capacity to apply cultural and cross-cultural theories in psychology to real world phenomena
• the skills required to design, conduct, present and evaluate cultural and cross-cultural research; and
• the ability to work effectively in culturally novel settings and situations.

The programme will be delivered by staff in the School of Psychology, including a strong team of cross-cultural psychologists, many of whom have international reputations in the area. Maori and Pacific perspectives on psychology are offered through the School of Psychology’s relationship with the Family Centre of Lower Hutt.

Our university exchange agreement permits students to undertake part of their Masters studies at the University of Hawai‘i. International and cross-cultural research is encouraged, and international students may conduct thesis research in their home countries. The programme also maintains research links with the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research which may permit the opportunity for applied research with CACR’s strategic partners, including the Office of Ethnic Affairs and the New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils.

Degree Requirements

The programme is structured according to the MSc regulations of Victoria University of Wellington that requires 120 points in Part 1 (courses and research preparation) and 120 points in Part 2 (thesis) of the degree. The MSc Cross Cultural degree requires the completion of 240 points.

Part 1 is delivered across two semesters/trimesters (February to June then July to October). Students will need to successfully complete the requirements of MSc Part 1 before being eligible for MSc Part 2 (Thesis).  The MSc Part 1 is similar to the requirements of an honours degree. Students enrolled in the MSc must ensure that they successfully complete all courses and in particular complete the requirements of the CPSY580 to be eligible to study the MSc Part 2 Thesis.

To be eligible for the MSc Part 2 students will need to have completed successfully PART 1 and or the equivalent. In addition students will need to satisfy the School of Psychology Postgraduate Committee that the student is capable of completing PART 2 of the MSc and has a sound research topic. The School of Postgraduate Committee will require the School of Psychology Checklist, the Postgraduate Enrolment Application, and the Application for Masters Degree by Thesis to be completed by the student in consultation with their academic supervisor.

Student Exchange

The MSc Cross Cultural degree allows students to participate in an exchange programme with the University of Hawai‘i, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed between VUW and UH and the provisions for student exchanges.

Coordinating the exchange programme can take time, to help you in this endeavour, a flowchart is provided to outline the steps involved.

Part I Regulations

The following courses form the basis of PART 1 MSc Cross Cultural: 

Compulsory Courses
PSYC 433  Current Issues in Cross-cultural Psychology  (15pts)
PSYC 434  Conducting Research Across Cultures           (15pts)
CPSY 580  Research Preparation                                  (30pts)

Choose two of the following three courses:
PSYC 449 Indigenous Psychology   (15pts)
PSYC 431  Culture and Human Development                  (15pts)
PSYC 432  Applied Cross Cultural Psychology                 (15pts)

The remaining 30 points required to complete MSc Part 1 may come from any course within Psychology or courses outside of psychology. Up to 60 points may be replaced by courses including those from the University of Hawai’i. This must be with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator and Prof. Colleen Ward.

The CPSY 580 is a full year course spanning two trimesters with an emphasis on participation in oral presentation, basic and applied research, involvement in the Cross-Cultural Lab and of course written projects in addition to one on one supervision. As the CPSY 580 is a research preparation course and comprises of a quarter of the points for PART 1, a contract will exist between the student and academic supervisor outlining the expectations for the course. Please note that due to the nature of the CPSY580 mid year enrolments are not possible for the MSc in Cross Cultural Psychology.  As mentioned the CPSY 580 comprises of supervision with an academic supervisor, to secure a supervisor you will need to review academic staff within the School as a potential supervisor. It is advisable that you review staff profiles on the website, for a potential supervisor who has a similar area of interest as you. Contact the supervisor after researching their area of expertise.

Part II Regulations

CPSY591 Thesis 120 pts

To enrol in Part 2 of the MSc students will have completed PART 1 of the MSc and will need to submit to the School of Psychology Postgraduate Committee the School of Psychology Checklist and Application Form in addition to the Postgraduate Enrolment Form. The forms will need to be completed in consultation with the academic supervisor.

Documentation once submitted will be reviewed by the School of Psychology Postgraduate Committee. Students will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Note the deadlines for admission and associated fixed enrollment periods each year: 1 March to enroll 1 June; 1 July to enroll 1 September, and 1 December to enroll 1 February.

Partnership with the University of Hawai‘i

Part 1 of the MSc. may be undertaken at the University of Hawai‘i under the terms of our exchange agreement. Students interested in the exchange will need to discuss this option with Prof. Colleen Ward in the first instance. As this process is a lengthy involving various stakeholders within VUW and UH it is important students begin the student exchange process as soon as they have been accepted into the MSc Cross Cultural programme. To assist you, a diagram is attached outlining the process involved.
The following courses are available for students to take:
PSY 781 Seminar in Community Psychology (Culture and Development)
PSY 774 Seminar in Clinical Psychology (Culture and Psychology)
MGT 701 Cross-cultural Management
MGT 702 Advanced Cross-cultural Management
EDCG 620 Cross-cultural Counselling
COM 643 Intercultural Communication
COM 646 Intercultural Training and Intervention

Further information regarding these courses can be found on the University of Hawai’i website.

Application and Admission to the degree

Requirements

• Minimally, students must have an undergraduate (Bachelor) degree in psychology or its equivalent.
• Their course of study in psychology must include Research Methods and Statistics, beyond the introductory level.
• Students should have at least an A- average (or equivalent) in a minimum of three final year psychology courses.
• Students who have English as a second language must pass university admission requirements for language proficiency. For further information contact Victoria International

Application process

Domestic/Permane5 March, 2009 Cultural Psychology programme PART 1, students must apply online for the MSc Cross Cultural degree programme. Students applying from outside of Victoria will need to complete Form F as a transferring student and supply an academic transcript in addition to any other documents required for enrolment into the university.

All documentation is required by the 10th December 2008, for admission to the 2009 programme of study. Documentation should be forwarded to:

Enrolment Office
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600, Kelburn
Wellington

Applications will be reviewed by Prof. Colleen Ward in association with the Graduate Coordinator. Once this process has taken place students will be notified by the Enrolment Office.