Master of Applied Psychology
The AUT Online Master of Applied Psychology offers an applied pathway for professionals who want to understand, influence and evaluate human behaviour across a wide range of settings.
The curriculum has been structured to ensure psychological concepts are consistently applied to real-world individual, social and organisational contexts. Learning is grounded in contemporary interpersonal and professional challenges, offering a distinct alternative to theory-based or registration-focused psychology programmes. You’ll develop practical competencies in behavioural change, evidence synthesis, applied qualitative and quantitative research, and the communication of psychological insights, with a strong emphasis on ethical and bicultural approach.
The Master of Applied Psychology is open to professionals from all backgrounds, including those without prior psychology study. Through the programme, you’ll build capability in applied research and evidence-informed practice, gaining the confidence to apply psychological principles that enhance wellbeing, strengthen relationships, guide behaviour change and foster inclusive, culturally responsive environments across personal, community and organisational contexts.
100% online:
Study from anywhere, anytime, with no need to attend campus
Tailored for busy professionals:
Balance work, life and study with a flexible, part-time structure
Your experience counts:
If you have sufficient work experience but no degree, you can still qualify
Personalised support:
Expert guidance and dedicated support seven days a week
Why choose the AUT Online Master of Applied Psychology
- Applied and non-clinical: Develop advanced applied psychology skills to understand, influence and evaluate behaviour across individual, group and organisational settings
- Real-world impact: Learn to apply psychological science to address contemporary challenges in workplaces, communities and society by linking theory to practical, evidence-based solutions.
- Culturally grounded: Develop cultural competence and responsiveness by engaging respectfully with Māori and other Indigenous knowledge systems, frameworks, and communities in ethical psychological research and practice.
This programme is currently only available for domestic students.
If you already have a university degree
- A bachelor’s degree with a B grade average in courses at level 7 or above, or
- A graduate diploma or professional qualification
If you don’t yet have a university degree
- 7 years of work experience
Your experience counts
At AUT Online, we value your professional expertise. If you have relevant work experience but no undergraduate degree, you can still take the next step toward achieving your goals with our Master of Applied Psychology.
Not sure if you meet the entry criteria?
Enquire now to discuss your eligibility.
The AUT Online Master of Applied Psychology develops your ability to apply psychological science to real-world individual, social and organisational contexts. You’ll explore how people think, feel and behave, and how psychological insights can be used ethically and effectively to support wellbeing, motivation and performance across diverse settings.
You’ll build applied capability across human development and wellbeing, social and organisational behaviour, neuroscience and cognition, and behaviour change, before advancing into evidence-based decision-making and applied research.
The programme is delivered across trimesters and consists of six 30-point courses, taken one at a time. Designed specifically for online learners, it provides the flexibility to balance study with work and life, alongside a clear structure that supports your success and completion.
Through this programme you will:
- Investigate the biological, cognitive and social foundations of human behaviour, and how these influence wellbeing, motivation and decision-making across individual, group and organisational contexts.
- Apply psychological frameworks to analyse and address real-world issues in social, community and workplace settings.
- Design and evaluate behaviour change strategies grounded in real-world data
- Develop advanced skills in communication, collaboration and critical reflection, enabling you to translate psychological research into practical outcomes.
- Engage respectfully with Māori and other Indigenous knowledge systems, frameworks, and communities to support culturally responsive and ethical psychological practice.
- Complete an applied research project on a workplace or community issue relevant to your professional or community context.
Courses
- ONPSYC801 Applied Human Development and Wellbeing
- ONPSYC802 Applied Neuroscience
- ONPSYC803 Psychology of Social and Organisational Behaviour
- ONPSYC804 Applied Behaviour Change
- ONPSYC901 Evidence-Based Decision Making
- ONPSYC995 Capstone Research Project in Applied Psychology
Skills you will develop
The outcomes for graduates of the Master of Applied Psychology are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.
The AUT Online Master of Applied Psychology prepares you to apply psychological insight to improve outcomes for individuals, social and organisational contexts. You’ll be able to design and lead initiatives that enhance wellbeing, drive behaviour change, and strengthen culture across a wide range of professional contexts in both the public and private sectors.
This is an applied, non-clinical degree. It doesn’t lead to professional registration as a clinical psychologist. Instead, it prepares you to influence change through evidence-based practice, applied research, and culturally responsive leadership and engagement in community, organisational and policy environments.
Graduates are well placed to advance in roles that require ethical, evidence-based practice, and to contribute to innovation and decision-making in both public and private sectors. The expertise gained throughout this programme is relevant in any field where understanding and influencing people is essential, including business and marketing, human resources and organisational development, education, health promotion, public service and policy, law and compliance, and community development.
Potential career pathways include:
- Marketing or communications manager
- Organisational development consultant
- Learning and development specialist
- Diversity, equity and inclusion advisor
- Human resources business partner
- Policy analyst or evaluation specialist
- Programme designer in education, health, or community sectors
- Legal or compliance advisor with a focus on behaviour, ethics and culture
- Manager or advisor in wellbeing, change or organisational performance
Not ready to commit to a full master’s programme? AUT Online also offers shorter qualifications in applied psychology:
Both programmes develop a strong foundation in applied psychology and are designed to fit around work and personal commitments. They’re suitable for professionals from any background who want to explore applied psychology in their workplace or community.
Courses successfully completed in the postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma can be fully credited toward the Master of Applied Psychology, enabling you to build on your study seamlessly when you’re ready to advance further.
- Full fees: $15,900 (for 180 points)
- Student services levy (additional, for 180 points): $1,832.40
Fees are calculated for the full indicative programme cost (180 points), based on 2026 fees, which are reviewed annually.
Enquire about the AUT Online Master of Applied Psychology here today.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT programme regulations, please refer to the AUT Calendar.