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. 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 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.
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.
This programme is currently only available for domestic students.
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 qualify? 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.
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.
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.
Fees are calculated for the full indicative programme cost (180 points), based on 2025 fees, which are reviewed annually.
Enquire about the AUT Online Master of Applied Psychology here today.