NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY
POTCHEFSTROOM CAMPUS
MASTER’S PROGRAMMES IN INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY
INFORMATION GUIDE
APPLICATIONS FOR 2017
CONTENT:
1 Application detail
2 Concerning the application
3 Qualification guide
3.1 Entrance requirements: Industrial psychology
3.2 Purpose of the degree
3.3 Modules
3.4 Competencies
3.5 Methodology
3.6 Examination and pass requirements
3.7 External moderation
3.8 International comparability
3.9 Financial implications
Closing date: 31 August 2016
1
1.
Application detail
All applicants should complete the online application form of the North-West University, available at:
http://www.nwu.ac.za/postgrad/graduate-studies-potchefstroom
The applications are only handled by the Masters and Doctoral Admissions Office. Please see the application
form for the relevant postal and courier addresses as well as relevant contact numbers and e-mail addresses.
Postal Address
Courier Address
Mrs MG Campbell-Jacobs
Mrs MG Campbell-Jacobs
Master’s and Doctoral Admissions Office
Master’s and Doctoral Admissions Office
Internal Box 460
North-West University
North-West University
11 Hoffman Street
Private Bag X6001
Joon van Rooy building F1
Potchefstroom
Second Floor
2520
Potchefstroom
2531
Certified copies of the application form can also be sent to Mrs Campbell-Jacobs via e-mail to:
[email protected]
Closing date: 31 AUGUST 2016. No late applications will be considered.
TAKE NOTE: It is important for you to obtain an electronic (e-mail) confirmation that your application was
received by the Master’s and Doctoral Admissions Office before the closing date.
2.
Concerning the application:


In order to prevent delays in the processing of your application, ensure that you fill out the application
form in full and that all the supporting documentation (as required) is handed in together with your
application form.
Qualifications that can be applied for in Industrial psychology include:
o
o
MCom Industrial psychology:
MA Industrial psychology:
Qualification code: 505126;
Qualification code: 103171;
Curriculum code: E850P
Curriculum code: E851P

The applicant does not need a supervisor at the time of application.

Applicants should comply with the qualification requirements as stipulated in the Academic
Calendar and those summarised in this document.

The 2016 Academic Calendar can be found by using the following link:
http://www.nwu.ac.za/sites/www.nwu.ac.za/files/files/p-academicadministration/dokumente/Yearbooks2016/Postgrad/2016-PC-EconomicandManagementSciencesPostgraduate.pdf
Applicants who do not adhere to the qualification prerequisites (as set out in this information
document), will not qualify for the rest of the selection process. These applicants will be informed
timeously (via e-mail) that they were unsuccessful.

Applicants who do a d h e r e t o t h e minimum requirements for the qualification will be informed
via e-mail that they should attend the day of selection. Currently, the selection dates are
scheduled for 18 and 19 October 2016; these dates might, however, change.

If marks are still outstanding during the paper selection and even during the final selection, the
successful applicant will only receive conditional selection until final marks can be provided.
Closing date: 31 August 2016
2

The final admission decision can only be made after all outstanding documentation and proof have
been received. In other words, only an applicant who passes his/her outstanding modules and
honours degree can be considered.

The final decision regarding admission is only made after the day of selection. Applicants will be
informed within two weeks (after the day of selection) via e-mail whether they were successful or
not.

The result of the selection process is final and the selection panel for the qualification does not need
to provide the applicants any further information concerning the outcome of the application.

Applicants should make sure that all contact particulars are correct, since they are contacted
regularly via SMS and e-mail. Should your contact details be incorrect, we will not be able to contact
you or provide you with information or feedback.

If an applicant is invited to attend the specific selection day, it is the applicant’s responsibility to
attend it. Only candidates who attend the selection will be considered for admission and NO second
opportunity will be given.

Selection is only valid for the academic year (2017) for which you apply and may not be transferred
to any other academic year.
By applying for this qualification, the applicant acknowledges that he/she has read this document
and is aware of the fact that he/she will be subjected to a selection process and all the mentioned
prerequisites and information associated with it. Furthermore, the applicant then also consents to be
subjected to psychometrics, interviews and other individual and/or group exercises.

Students whom are invited to the selection day must, apart from the University application fee, also
pay the programme selection fee of R250-00 immediately after being informed that they are
invited. Payment must be made to the following account:
Students applying off campus:
Bank:
Account name:
Account nr:
Branch code:
ABSA
NWU DIVERSE ONTVANGSTE
670 642 313
63 2005
Take note: Applicants will have to provide the School of Human Resource Sciences with the deposit
slip or a copy thereof when asked to do so.
NWU full-time students applying to the programme:
Full-time students currently on the Potchefstroom Campus can make a deposit at the teller at the
Administration building to the following account:
P.3B00586.5607 (M-Admin Account)
Take note: Applicants will have to provide the School of Human Resource Sciences with the deposit
slip or a copy thereof when asked to do so.
3.
Qualification guide
Thank you for your enquiry concerning a master’s degree in Industrial psychology. The master’s degree
in Industrial psychology constitutes a one- (minimum) to three- (maximum) year course consisting of
lectured modules as well as a mini-dissertation. Both a part-time and full-time option is available,
and the student is allowed to structure the programme as it suits him/her best, with a
prerequisite that IOPS 873 and 874 should be taken during the first year of study. The entrance
requirements for the master’s degrees entail the following:
Closing date: 31 August 2016
3
3.1
Entrance requirements: Industrial psychology
Prospective students in Industrial psychology should adhere to the following entrance requirements:

A student should be in possession of a BA honours or BCom honours degree in Industrial
psychology from an accredited HPCSA university (this implies that t h e h o n o u r s
degree of the university must lead to registration as either
counsellor/psychometrist with the HPCSA after successfully completing the board exam.
Alternatively, the university must at least have an accredited Master ’s programme in Industrial
psychology which lead to registration as Industrial Psychologist after completion of the board
exam). The study content of this degree must be to the satisfaction of the dean and the director
of the School of Human Resource Sciences (Potchefstroom Campus) and School of
Behavioural Sciences (Vaal Triangle Campus).

The f o l l o w i n g h o n o u r s degree modules are important: Psychometrics, Psychological
evaluation (Psychometric testing), Career psychology, Research methodology and research
report, Organisational development and Human resource management strategies. If they are not
included in your curriculum you may however still apply.

The student must have obtained an average of at least 65% in the honours degree in order to
qualify to be invited to the selection process.

The research ability of the student must be to the satisfaction of the school directors and the
director of the WorkWell research unit. Students whose abilities in research methods (as
determined during the selection process) are deemed not to be adequate will only be
accepted into the master’s programme after successfully completing a research methodology
course. Such a course is made available by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

Prospective students should also pass a selection process directed at the measurement of the
competencies set for psychologists by the Health Professions Council of South Africa
(HPCSA). The selection process includes a competency examination in Statistics. Students
whose abilities in Statistics are deemed not to be adequate will only be accepted into the
master’s programme after successfully completing a Statistics course. Such a course is made
available by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.
3.2
Purpose of the degree
The MCom/MA degree in Industrial psychology is offered:

to provide learners with the competence to understand and evaluate industrial psychological
theories and research. It also aims to empower learners to use a wide variety of research
methods and to cultivate scientific thinking and reasoning;

to develop the ability to critique and evaluate various quantitative and qualitative scientific works;

to enable learners to demonstrate critical thinking and to assimilate new psychological knowledge;

to promote life-long learning inculcating a sense of wonder, curiosity and respect for the
scientific method in learners; and

to provide learners with the competence to assess people and intervene on an advanced
level within the work context to solve problems.
The successful completion of all the modules in the Industrial psychology master’s degree will enable
the learners to start with an internship. After successful completion of both the degree and internship the
student may apply at the HPCSA Board for Psychology to write the board examination for industrial
psychologists. The successful completion of this board examination will empower the student to register as
industrial psychologist at the HPCSA.
Closing date: 31 August 2016
4
3.3
Modules
The following modules are included in the Industrial psychology master’s programme for 2017
Module code
Module name
% of programme
IOPS873P
IOPS873V
IOPS874
IOPS875
IOPS876
IOPS877
IOPS878
Mini-dissertation (Potchefstroom Campus)
Mini-dissertation (Vanderbijlpark Campus)
Scientific reasoning
People development
Professional industrial psychology
Wellbeing
Applied counselling
(50%)
3.4
(10%)
(10%)
(10%)
(10%)
(10%)
Competencies
The master’s programme in Industrial psychology aims to reach several critical outcomes. After
completion of the degree, students should be able to:

Understand industrial psychological theories and research;

Show an ability to assimilate new psychological knowledge;

Know and understand the ethical and legal considerations applicable to research and intervention
on individual, group and organisational level;

Show an ability to use a wide variety of industrial psychological research methods and statistics;

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of published research and apply critical thinking
in analysing research results;

Interpret psychological dynamics and pathology required for specialised screening of
individuals, groups and organisations;

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of networks (equivalent professional peers within
the primary healthcare system);

Demonstrate knowledge and skills of specialised, complex, advanced and long-term
counselling, psychotherapy and/or advanced psycho-education and training on total system
level (e.g. family, organisation and community);

Identify ways to promote primary, secondary and tertiary psychosocial wellbeing; and

Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
3.5
Methodology

VERY IMPORTANT: It is expected of students to attend ALL the classes as registered for during
the year, to complete their assignments and to show acceptable behaviour. A student’s studies
may be terminated on the basis of low class attendance, or unsatisfactory progress and
behaviour. Take note that classes take place once a month, the total number of working days
utilised for classes during a year amounts to approximately 43. Students in full-time employment
should make arrangements with their employers in order to attend contact sessions.

As per the Health Professions Council of South Africa Guidelines for Training of Professional
Psychologists, ALL class sessions are compulsory. A learner who cannot attend a class
needs to submit a written reason for not having done so. Should the reason be to the
satisfaction of the lecturer, additional work (assignment or practical, for example) to make up for
the time lost will be requested. This arrangement can only be made for one/two classes.

Please take note that the programme already commences during November 2016.
This class is compulsory.
Closing date: 31 August 2016
5

3.6
Teaching methods such as lectures, assignments, practical assignments, discussion groups,
role-plays, simulations and self-study are used.
Examination and pass requirements
Assessments take place in the following format:
3.7

Written and oral tests and examinations;

Individual and group projects;

Case studies;

Verbal presentations;

Role-plays and simulations;

Assignments;

Self- and peer assessment;

Seminar papers or presentations. Mini-dissertation proposal and defence;

Attendance of and contributions at research meetings at various levels;

A student must achieve 50% to pass a module (except where another pass rate is indicated);

A maximum of two modules may be repeated, and if a student fails more than two modules,
the (whole) programme must be repeated; and

A student must achieve an average of 75% to obtain the degree cum laude.
External moderation
The Faculty appoints internal and external examiners as well as moderators in the case of written
examinations. Examination committees review the performance of all the students. Another type of
moderation is undertaken by both the Health Professions Council of South Africa (Professional Board for
Psychology) and the South African Board for People Practices
The following process is used in the case of mini-dissertations: The Research Committee approves a
research proposal during a proposal meeting. The Director of Research approves and comments on the
research proposal before it is sent to the management committee of the Faculty for registration and approval
of supervisor(s) and examiners. The supervisor plays a day-to-day role in guidance and integrated
assessment. Finally, both internal and external examiners examine the mini-dissertation and report to the
management committee.
3.8
International comparability
Postgraduate education and training for a master’s degree are co-ordinated by a research unit under a
research director. The research unit has extensive international networks, among others with the Free
University, Amsterdam, and the University of Paderborn, Tilburg, Utrecht and Ghent.
An international audit committee has positively evaluated the research unit. Currently, both national and
international research funding agencies are supporting the research unit financially.
Closing date: 31 August 2016
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3.9
Financial implications
The MCom/MA (Industrial psychology or Human resource management) degree must be completed within a
period of three years. Payable fees can be found by following the link below:

http://www.nwu.ac.za/postgrad/graduate-studies-potchefstroom
Should you have trouble determining the costs involved in your studies after visiting the above link,
please contact the NWU finances department at 018 299 1111.
Take note that fees escalate on an annual basis.
Closing date: 31 August 2016
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