Snapshots of Enrichment Learning Opportunities and Impact at WKU Psychology The Master of Arts in Psychology (Human Behavior and Psychology Organization)

Snapshots of Enrichment Learning Opportunities and Impact

at WKU Psychology

The Master of Arts in Psychology (Human Behavior and Psychology Organization)

The Master of Arts in Psychology, Human Behavior and Psychology Organization Option at Wenzhou-Kean University offers a dynamic curriculum enriched with hands-on activities guided by highly qualified and passionate faculty. Students gain more than just theoretical knowledge—they actively participate in meaningful experiences at the university, provincial, national, and international levels. These diverse engagements equip students with the insights and expertise needed to launch impactful careers in psychology.

Postgraduate research symposium

Our program is deeply rooted in psychology research and practical, evidence-based training. At the heart of this experience is the annual Postgraduate Research Symposium, where students from multiple cohorts present their research to peers, faculty, undergraduate students, and external audiences. This event fosters collaboration and showcases cutting-edge research, preparing students for academic and professional excellence.

Educational and developmental Psychology focused school trips

We believe in translating classroom knowledge into real-world applications. Field trips and experiential learning are integral to our program. For instance, Professor Amrita Kaur leads students in her Psychology of Adolescence course to local middle and high schools. Students spend a full day engaging with teachers, students, and staff to gain first-hand insights into developmental and learning processes in real educational environments. Students can closely observe day-to-day behaviors and physical surroundings, as well as engage with members like students and teachers to gain insights into their developmental trajectories. This fosters a valuable connection between theoretical concepts and real-life situations.

Clinical Psychology focused filed trips

On October 23rd, Dr. Eva from the Psychology Department of Wenzhou-Kean University led a group of more than 10 graduate students in psychology to go on a field trip at the Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, which promotes in-depth cooperation and exchange between institutions. The one-day experience enriches students’ practical experience and establishes the connection between academic theories and real-life practice.

Under the guidance of the instructor from the Science and Education Department of Kangning Hospital, the group successively visited places such as the Children and Adolescent Psychological Center, Adolescent Day Center, Psychological Outpatient Department, and Psychiatric Outpatient Department. At the Children and Adolescent Psychological Center, they also visited special treatment rooms such as the music therapy room and art therapy room. During the visit, students discovered that the wards there were not as cold as regular hospital rooms. Instead, they were designed to resemble a comfortable home or hotel environment. According to the nurse at the Children and Adolescent Psychological Center, many efforts were made to create a warm atmosphere in order to let children heal in a truly relaxing way.

Culture and Psychology Summer School

From August 2 to August 9, 2024, 18 undergraduate and master’s students from the Department of Psychology at Wenzhou-Kean University participated in the Culture and Psychology Summer School and the 28th International Trans-School held in Bali, Indonesia. 28th International Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology.

The International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP), part of the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS), is a highly diverse scientific association founded in 1972 and has more than 800 members from more than 65 countries. The association's goal is to promote communication among people interested in a variety of issues involving the intersection of culture and psychology and is committed to advancing understanding of the intersection of psychology and culture.

Engagement in fieldwork

Our program encourages students to make a social impact through community engagement. MA students collaborate on ongoing undergraduate projects and participate in volunteer activities. For example, Dr. Amrita Kaur offers students the chance to join Equine Therapy initiatives for autistic children or deliver exam anxiety-related interventions to high school students coping with exam anxiety before their Gaokao exams. These experiences enhance students' skills in applying psychological principles to address community needs.

National conferences with student researchers

From October 13th to 15th, 2023, the 25th National Academic Conference of Psychology was held at Sichuan Normal University in Chengdu, Sichuan. Assistant Professor Qian Li from our School of Psychology, along with four students, had their research project "The Relationship Between Social Media Usage Behavior and Personality Traits" reviewed and accepted by the Academic Committee of the 25th National Academic Conference of Psychology and were invited to attend the conference in Chengdu. The theme of the conference was "Innovations and Development in Psychological Health Services in the Digital Age", sponsored by the Chinese Psychological Society and hosted by Sichuan Normal University. Over a thousand psychology experts and scholars from universities and research institutions across the country and abroad gathered here to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the nation in the development process of the digital age.

To thoroughly investigate and proactively address the evolving health demands in the context of China's socialist modernization, Shaanxi Normal University organized the 2023 Annual Academic Conference of the Behavior and Health Committee of the Chinese Psychological Association. This event, held from December 1 to December 3, 2023, centered on the theme "Constructing a Healthy China under Socialist Modernization". Assistant professor from our School of Psychology, Li Qian, along with four students, had their research project " Exploring the impact of adolescents' and parents' stigma toward depressive disorder on potential help-seeking behavior and mental health" reviewed and accepted by the conference's academic committee, and they were invited to attend the meeting in Xi'an. By participating in this academic conference, our students not only had the opportunity to showcase their research findings but also to interact with psychology experts and scholars from across the country, thereby further enhancing their academic level and research capabilities.

To engage in in-depth exchanges exploring Chinese culture from the perspective of psychology, the Professional Psychological Society Committee of Chinese Cultural Psychology held a conference from December 8 to December 10, 2023, in Qufu, Shandong. The event aimed to foster academic collaboration and promote research and practice in cultural psychology, focusing on the innovation and development of psychology from a Chinese cultural perspective. Professor Alexander Scott English from our university’s Psychology Department organized a special forum at the conference, where five students presented their scientific research projects. Additionally, four academic articles from our university successfully passed the rigorous review process of the conference's academic committee and were accepted for presentation.By participating in this prestigious event, our students not only showcased their research but also engaged with psychological experts and scholars from across the country. This invaluable experience has further enhanced their academic expertise and research capabilities.