| Qualification code: | 98580 |
| Qualification type: | Full Research |
| NQF level: | 9 |
| Total credits: | 180 |
| SAQA ID: | 84867 |
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Rules: The curriculum consists of a dissertation that incorporates a research proposal to be completed within the first year of study. Applicants should note that this is a full research masters and does not lead to professional registration as an industrial and organisational psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). |
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| Purpose statement: The primary purpose of the Master of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of new knowledge at an advanced level in the field and practice of industrial and organisational psychology, and to enhance students' career prospects and the social value of their work. The qualification provides graduates with comprehensive and specialist knowledge of the principles, major theories and paradigms, methods and technology of the science and profession of industrial and organisational psychology. It equips graduates with the required advanced and specialised intellectual and practical skills and expertise in various sub-areas of professional practice at the forefront of the field to act as industrial and organisational psychology research specialists or as human resource practitioners in an organisation. The Master of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology will provide students with two options: A coursework and research programme and a research only option. The Coursework and Research Option requires a high level of intellectual independence and theoretical engagement from students during the first year with various sub-areas of specialisation by means of a coursework programme. Students are required to complete an advanced research project in a chosen area of specialisation which culminates in the production and acceptance of a limited dissertation during the second year of study. Following a period of internship, the Master of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology (coursework and research option) places graduates in a position to register as Industrial Psychologists with the Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The research only option requires a high level of intellectual independence and theoretical engagement from students with a chosen area of specialisation and the completion of an advanced research project which culminates in the production and acceptance of a full dissertation. Both options place graduates in a position to register as Master Human Resource Practitioners with the South African Board for Personnel Practices (SABPP). |
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| Registration opens | Registration opens | Registration closes | Final date for payment |
| Master's & doctoral qualifications | 7 January 2026 | 31 March 2026 | 31 March 2026 |
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MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) qualifications |
7 January 2026 | 21 February 2026 | 21 February 2026 |
All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.14 and 4.15 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.
Both you and your supervisor are responsible for ensuring that you complete your studies within the approved duration for your qualification.
Unisa has identified the following 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) to be operationalised within the colleges:
If you are interested in any of these areas, please discuss it with your supervisor to incorporate one or more of the CNAs into your studies.
Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)
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