Note: 144 UOC is the PhD component only.

The combined Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Organisational) degree program has an emphasis on research training in organisational fields. The combined program consists of three components which are compulsory: (1) a research thesis (PhD), (2) a coursework component (MPsychol(Org)), and (3) 1000 hours of supervised placement experience. The research project should be original, and lead to a significant contribution to our knowledge of the nature of psychological processes, particularly in the field of organisational psychology.

The program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as the fifth and sixth years of study leading to full membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and registration as a psychologist with the national Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). After completing a further 1.5 years of full-time equivalent supervised practice, graduates of the program are eligible to apply for endorsement as an Organisational Psychologist and for full membership of the APS College of Organisational Psychologists.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree encourages initiative and originality in research. Students will make a significant contribution to knowledge in their field and will be competent to carry out research in their chosen area. Students are equipped with an understanding of individual, organisational, social and cultural influences on behaviour in organisational settings. Evidence-based skills are developed in specific methodological, statistical, measurement and other empirical techniques required by industry.

Graduates of the program are professionally equipped to contribute to organisational and work-unit performance at both the strategic and operational levels. Many of our graduates are employed as academics at leading universities, internal consultants with major corporations or in roles with international consulting companies.

The combined degree program requires a minimum of four full-time years to complete. Students enrolled in the program complete the same Masters coursework as those enrolled in 8258. The program structure requires students to work on their research project during the entire candidature until submission. The same research-related requirements as for the regular PhD degree (Program code 1400) will apply for the first two years of this program. University regulations and guidelines for good practice in postgraduate research supervision will apply to this program.

Students will concurrently undertake a compulsory coursework component, which is set out below. There are twelve courses and students will normally complete these by taking three courses in each of the four years. In the first year only one course may be taken in Session 1. The coursework program focuses on theories, practice and research in industrial and organisational psychology.

Please refer to the Conditions for the Award of Degrees (Faculty of Science).

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

Entry requirements are (1) completion of an accredited four-year Bachelor degree in psychology (with First Class or Upper Second Class Honours) from UNSW, or equivalent from another APAC-recognised university, and (2) the availability of adequate supervision and research infrastructure.

Psychology qualifications obtained outside of Australia must contain a significant research thesis component, and be assessed as the equivalent of an Australian four-year sequence in psychology (including Honours) by the APS.

UNSW English Language Requirements can be found here, and AHPRA’s new standards on English language skills and criminal history.

As the number of places available each year is limited, entry into the program is competitive. In addition to availability of adequate supervision and research infrastructure, selection is based on academic qualifications for the program, two referee reports, and performance at an interview. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview.

Applicants should refer to both the School of Psychology’s How to Apply page, and Graduate Research School's website for more detail about the application procedure and requirements.

The minimum period of enrolment before the award of the degree is eight semesters.

If you are considering applying for a PhD with the School of Psychology, you must first make contact with the School. This will help to establish that your research interests are aligned with those of the School and Faculty, and that there is suitable supervision available for your particular area of research. You can search the School's Areas of Expertise page, or the Find a Researcher page for more information.

Please also refer to the Graduate Research School's website for further information on how to apply, scholarships, English language requirements, and other research-related matters.