Price
Domestic learners
$1,176* per 15 point course
International learners
$5,475* per 15 point course
*Fees outlined are based on the 2025 fee schedule and are subject to revision each year. Prices include GST where applicable. Non-tuition fees, such as the Student Services Levy (SSL), will also apply.
Qualification
MOrgPsyc
180 points
Duration
3 years part-time
1.5 years full-time
Entry times
14 July 2025
2026
Overview
The Master of Organisational Psychology is designed to equip aspiring and established leaders, managers, Human Resource professionals and those involved in creating positive work environments with the skills and knowledge to drive positive change.
By focusing on employee wellbeing and organisational effectiveness, you'll learn to enhance motivation, performance, and satisfaction. The programme covers a wide range of essential skills, including job design, talent selection, and creating policies and practices that support employee wellbeing. This programme will help you advance your career in organisational psychology and make a meaningful impact in the workplace.
Please note: the MOrgPsyc is designed to be more practitioner-focused, applying research into the workplace. It is not a transfer pathway to our fully on-campus research-based programmes. For those interested in more academic research, or becoming a registered IO psychologist, please look into our fully on-campus MScIO or PGDipOrgPsyc programmes, which are limited entry and have their own application process.
Requirements
To ensure that our learners have the necessary background and experience to succeed, admission to the Master of Organisational Psychology is based on your previous studies in a relevant bachelor’s degree, or a qualification and practical experience considered to be equivalent.
To enrol in the MOrgPsyc, you must have completed one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree with a major or minor in psychology with a grade average of B or greater in your 300-level (or equivalent) courses
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification with a major or minor in psychology and at least two years of practical, professional or scholarly experience in a relevant field (such as human resources or psychology)
- A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in any subject and at least five years of practical, professional, or academic experience in a relevant field (such as human resources or psychology)
- An equivalent degree, or degree plus experience as outlined above, from an international institute that is approved under Academic Equivalent Standing.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Organisational Psychology or use the admissions requirements checker.
Unsure about your suitability?
As part of our application process, your eligibility will be assessed by our organisational psychology academic team to make sure that your academic and/or professional background meets the entry criteria - we welcome applications from learners who do not meet the academic requirements but have extensive relevant experience. Unfortunately our Tuihono UC | UC Online team cannot confirm your eligibility before your application is submitted, beyond referring you to the requirements above. We are happy to help answer any general questions you have about the programme or online learning, however. You can get in touch with us here.
Course requirements
All learners will begin by taking one foundational course, Key Topics in Organisational Psychology (OPSY610). Once you’ve successfully completed this foundation course, you can enrol in up to two 15-point courses per term (subject to course availability), before undertaking the 45-point research project. Admission to the Research Project (OPSY630) requires at least a B grade in Research Methods for Organisational Psychology (OPSY622).
Structure
The Master of Organisational Psychology can be studied part-time over 3 years, or full-time over 1.5 years, subject to course availability. The programme must be completed within 5 years.
You'll start out by taking one foundational course, Key Topics in Organisational Psychology (OPSY610). Once you've successfully completed this foundation course, you can enrol in up to two 15-point courses per term (subject to course availability), before undertaking the 45-point research project. Our courses are flexible, enabling you to plan your study around your other commitments.
Time commitment
Unless otherwise stated, Tuihono UC | UC Online learners study across terms, rather than semesters. We have four terms per year which consist of nine-weeks of study (including a one-week study break), followed by a two-week period of marking and feedback.
Part-time learners complete one 15-point course every term, requiring approximately 18.5 hours of study per week. Full-time learners complete two 15-point courses every term, requiring approximately 37.5 hours of study per week. Study time includes taking in course material, reflection time and writing assignments. We would recommend undertaking the 45-point research paper across three terms for part-time learners, and two terms for full-time learners.
Upcoming term dates
Our current learning dates can be found below (please note: these dates exclude our two-week period of marking and feedback).
- 3 February – 6 April 2025
- Study break: 3 – 9 March 2025
- 28 April – 29 June 2025
- Study break: 26 May – 1 June 2025
- 14 July – 14 September 2025
- Study break: 11-17 August 2025
- 6 October – 7 December 2025
- Study break: 3 – 9 November 2025
Please note: these dates differ from other programmes for Term 4 and may be subject to change.
Begin
Get started with an introduction to Key Topics in Organisational Psychology. This foundational course is the introductory step in the Master of Organisational Psychology and is the only course you will take in your first term of study.
Course taken: Key Topics in Organisational Psychology (OPSY610).
Learn
Having successfully completed Key Topics in Organisational Psychology, take the next step in your learning.
Courses taken: Recruitment and Selection (OPSY621), Psychology of Stress, Health and Wellbeing at Work (OPSY619) and Training and Development (OPSY613).
Develop
Develop your organisational psychology scientist-practitioner knowledge and skills.
Courses taken: Performance Management and Appraisal (OPSY612), Leadership in Organisations (OPSY614), Organisational Change: Directions for Organisational Psychology Practice (OPSY618) and Contemporary Issues in Organisational Psychology (OPSY620).
Progress
Develop your research methodology skills that will be essential to the success of your Master's research project.
Course taken: Research Methods for Organisational Psychology (OPSY622). You must achieve a B grade or better to progress to the Research Project (OPSY630).
Apply
Apply your advanced organisational psychology knowledge and skills through conducting original research.
Course taken: Research Project (OPSY630).
Master
Graduate and showcase your mastery with the University of Canterbury Master of Organisational Psychology degree!
What you'll study
You'll study nine NZQF level 8 postgraduate courses for the Master of Organisational Psychology, concluding with a NZQF level 9 research project related to your chosen area of professional focus.
Our people
The Master of Organisational Psychology is supported by contributions from Dr Fleur Pawsey, Professor Joana Kuntz, Professor Katharina Näswall, and Dr Jennifer Wong, and coordinated by Dr Eri Koh.
Fleur Pawsey is a Lecturer at the University of Canterbury. Fleur's PhD, awarded in 2020, focused on relationships between mindfulness, stress, and wellbeing. Fleur is interested in how mindfulness practices can be utilized in day-to-day life, to support employees and promote positive work experiences. With a background in high-performance endurance and adventure sports, and experience in coaching, Fleur is also especially interested in how employers can support the physical health and fitness of employees, and how organizations can weave aspects of nature into their working environments.
Joana Kuntz is an Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. She gained her PhD from the University of Tennessee, and worked in organisational development in Europe and the United States prior to moving to New Zealand in 2009. She is the co-founder of the Employee Resilience Research group, a team of UC-based researchers who worked alongside government agencies and private corporations across sectors to facilitate the development of resilience capability following the Christchurch Earthquakes. Joana’s current focus is the future of work, and her applied research spans employee resilience and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, leadership development, and organisational interventions (design, implementation, and evaluation).
Katharina Näswall's research focuses on employee well-being and factors which lead to psychologically healthy workplaces, applying psychological principles and knowledge about human behavior and emotions. Katharina strives to work with end-users to disseminate findings from her own and others’ research to support organizational development, and has built several ongoing collaborations with organizations outside the University, providing advice and evaluations of staff engagement and wellbeing. Katharina supports her own wellbeing by gardening and walking in the Port Hills, Christchurch. She is from Sweden and moved to New Zealand in December 2010.
Jennifer Hoi Ki Wong is a Lecturer at the University of Canterbury. She received her PhD in Industrial-Organisational Psychology in 2016. Her research interests are in workplace wellbeing and safety, positive psychology, leadership, team culture, and change management. Jennifer is passionate about achieving tangible impact through her expertise, and thrives off of figuring out how her research can help workplaces. She also works as a consultant with organisations, carrying out employee assessment, training and evaluation, and coaching. Her own wellbeing is achieved through activities in the great outdoors, or being crafty with her hands.
Eri’s research is in the fields of positive psychology and wellbeing, focusing on emotional experience and regulation in different contexts, such as at work and home, online/virtual and offline environments. She is interested in helping individuals flourish in the workplace, build resilience and overcome adversity in their lives, and apply research findings to practical settings. Eri also has a background in cross-cultural psychology, examining how cultural norms shape individuals’ interpretations of their world, including work culture and interpersonal relationships. As part of both work and play, she enjoys spending time in nature and beach combing, testing out her hypotheses about regulating calm emotions and seeking whatever knick-knack she considers as treasure.
Stay updated
If you’re keen to know more, stay updated on when enrolments open or ask a question, please sign up for updates below.
Cap & minimum enrolment threshold: a minimum number of learners is needed for effective interaction and feedback, while a maximum cap of learners ensures high quality learning and support. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course isn’t met, or the maximum cap is exceeded, learners will be given the option to defer their study or receive a refund.
Testimonials
Anne
Master of Organisational Psychology
"It was all really interesting and showcased how pivotal the recruitment and selection process is (far more than I thought). Synchronous sessions provide a great opportunity to have interaction and hear others speak about their experiences. I can not recommend the tutors enough, their availability, helpfulness and patience has been fantastic."
Ben
Master of Organisational Psychology
"There was a great mix of content and assessments and it was great to be able to interact with others on the course content in the Sync sessions."
Learner
Master of Organisational Psychology
"Appreciate the helpful guidance and support given by the Facilitators, particularly when having a confidence crisis!"
Learner
Master of Organisational Psychology
"Thank you for working so hard to get this course up and running. As a first intake student, I've really enjoyed it, and can see the hard work that has gone into making sure in runs smoothly."
Learner
Master of Organisational Psychology
"I enjoyed the applied nature of the assignments - for most assignments we could reflect on "real-world" situations, and immediately relate it in a practical way."
Learner
Master of Organisational Psychology
"Our course facilitator and the UC Online team have been exceptionally supportive throughout the course. It is clear that they are truly invested in nurturing the success of us as learners."
