The Psychology Department at the College of Education of Sultan Qaboos University introduces the Master of Arts program in psychology. The program has five tracks. The M.A. in Educational Psychology began in 1995, while the M.A. in Measurement and Evaluation began in 2002. In 2013, two other tracks were added: the M.A.in Learning Disabilities and the M.A. in Career Guidance. In 2020, the M.A. in Counseling Psychology was introduced. The program involves studying nine courses and preparating a master's thesis under the supervision of professors in the specialization. Candidates for the M.A. program are accepted from psychology majors as well as all educational disciplines. Others may also enroll in the program upon completion of some confrontational courses. The program is two years for full-time students and three years for those studying part-time.

 

The Department’s M.A. program currently has the following five tracks:

  • Counseling Psychology
  • Career Guidance and Counseling
  • Educational Psychology
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Measurement and Evaluation

 

M.A. in Counseling Psychology

The ultimate goal of the Master’s in Counseling Psychology is to prepare highly-qualified professionals in counseling who are able to provide educational and health community institutions with diverse counseling services. The candidate - after finishing the program - is expected to apply the skills, techniques and strategies of counseling in different counseling services. This track is based on theoretical knowledge and practical experience to make the candidate a more proficient practitioner who qualifies to be awarded a licensure. Concepts covered in the program include counseling theories, designing counseling programs, counseling techniques and strategies, group counseling, psychological disorders, research methods and clinical work in counseling. To view the degree plan for this track, click here.

 

M.A. in Career Guidance and Counseling

This master’s track is designed to promote career guidance and counseling services in the Sultanate of Oman by enhancing the professional skills of in-service career counselors. During the program, students learn to acquire theoretical foundations and different approaches in career guidance as well as apply career guidance skills and theories in educational, career and life settings. Concepts covered in the program include career guidance theories, counseling skills, designing career counseling programs, career counseling techniques and strategies, issues related to career guidance, assessment and diagnosis in career guidance, research methods and clinical work in counseling. To view the degree plan for this track, click here.

 

M.A. in Educational Psychology

The Master’s in Educational Psychology is a practical degree program track for psychologists interested in working in the field of education. During the program, students learn to use psychological tools to advance their understanding of learning processes in order to improve strategies used in the classroom and create a better educational system. Concepts covered in the program include learning theories, instructional strategies, contemporary issues in learning, cognitive psychology, individual differences, motivation, educational research methods and psychological statistics. To view the degree plan for this track, click here.

 

M.A. in Learning Disabilities

The M.A. in Learning Disabilities track aims to provide candidates with knowledge, skills and personal competencies that qualify them to work in inclusive education environments, as teachers in the resource room program or as educational supervisors in the Ministry of Education. Concepts covered in the program include learning disabilities theories, current approaches in learning disabilities, language and reading disabilities, developmental psychology and research methods. To view the degree plan for this track, click here

 

M.A. in Measurement and Evaluation

The measurement and evaluation track is concerned with providing students with the research and professional knowledge and skills necessary to understand and evaluate the educational process. The study plan for the track focuses on preparing specialized cadres capable of building measurement and evaluation tools for psychological and educational variables to help meet the needs of the educational system in the Sultanate of Oman. The program also prepares candidates to become specialized in the statistical analysis of research studies and student results in educational tests and standards in order to develop the educational process. To view the degree plan for this track, click here.


Testimonials from Students and Graduates
  •  

    “Studying for a master’s degree at SQU’s Psychology Department enabled me to refine my
    research skills and helped me reach my goal of publishing in one of the most important peer-
    reviewed educational journals. My most prominent achievement, however, was obtaining
    first place in the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Award for Educational Research in the
    category of postgraduate studies. And there is still much to be achieved.”


    Rahma Al-Araimi
    Graduate
    M.A. Learning Disabilities

     

  •  

    “Learning about individual differences between people on the masters program has
    has allowed me to more effectively deal with a range of situations, especially when
    they involve people with different personality types.”

     

    Said Al-Hadhrami
    Current Student
    M.A. in Educational Psychology

  •  

    “The master’s program in Measurement and Evaluation offered by the Department of Psychology
    trains you to become a professional researcher. The program equips you with all the necessary skills you need
    in carrying out research and provides you with a sound knowledge of methodology and statistical methods.
    These skills will remain with you throughout the course of your scientific career. For me, this strong foundation really
    helped me with the requirements for studying in the doctoral program that I joined at Purdue University in the United States five years
    after graduating from the Department, as well as in publishing a number of peer-reviewed scientific research papers.”

     

    Khalid Al-Mamari
    Graduate Student
    M.A. in Measurement and Evaluation

The following are courses in the Teacher Education Program delivered by Department Faculty :

  

Learners' Development and Counseling.: PSYC1501
The purpose of this course is to get students acquainted with learner development from the perspective of counseling. The course focuses on theory and research related to human development across lifespan, factors affecting learners? development, their developmental characteristics in different areas of development. This course also focuses on learners? developmental needs, demands, crises and challenges using tool of need assessment. Additionally, the course covers counseling applications and interventions in dealing with study stress , time management behavioral problems associated with developmental stages, and the developmental needs and crises of diverse categories of learners especially those with difficulties using developmental , preventive and remedial strategies and considering ethics of counseling.

   

Educational Psychology: PSYC2501
This course examines the theoretical and applied aspects of learning, motivation, human development, personality, assessment, and evaluation in the educational setting. Content includes the study of learning theories as well as cognitive, emotional, and social learning processes that underlie education and human development and socialization. Emphasis is placed on developing skills to better understand learners to foster improved learning, influence and manage classroom learning, and recognize and consider individual differences.

 

Classroom Measurement and Evaluation: PSYC3501
This course aims at getting learners acquainted with basic concepts of educational evaluation, skills of developing measurement tools. The course covers levels of psychological and educational measurement, types of evaluation (primary, formative, and summative), principals of evaluation, constructing, standardizing, analyzing, and interpreting achievement tests. The course also focuses on continuous assessment and its tools: (project, oral assignments, practical performance, homeworks, portfolio and observation, and implications of classroom measurement and evaluation tools.

 

Learners with Special needs: PSYC4501
This course aims to provide an overview of the historical, conceptual, legal, professional and ethical foundations of special education, as well as the medical, psychological, behavioral, social and educational characteristics of special education categories: Intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, behavioral and emotional disorders, communication disorders, visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical and health disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and talent and giftedness. The course also covers contemporary issues in special education related to prevention and early intervention, special education in early childhood, education and rehabilitation of individuals with special educational needs, inclusive education, assistive technology, learning environments, and the education of individuals with disabilities in Oman.

  

For more about the courses, please click HERE