What is Applied Psychology?

Applied psychology is a dynamic discipline focused on the practical application of psychological theories and principles to address real-world challenges related to human behaviour, cognition, and social functioning. 

Unlike academic psychology, which emphasizes theory, applied psychology is oriented towards solving practical problems faced by individuals, groups, and organizations in everyday settings.  

The M.A./M.Sc. Degree in Applied Psychology at the Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) is awarded following completion of a two-year residential programme. This programme is committed to the study and application of psychological principles and behavioural research.  It aims to instill the necessary knowledge, skills, and values, preparing our postgraduates for immediate employment or doctoral studies.  

At JIBS, during the second year of your study, you can choose to specialize in   Child Psychology, Sports Psychology, Forensic & Investigative Psychology, and Industrial & Organizational Psychology., Students are encouraged to pursue the specialization that best aligns with their interested and long-term professional objectives.
 

About The Course

• The M.A./M.Sc. Degree in Applied Psychology is awarded following completion of a two-year residential programme committed to the study and application of psychological principles and behavioural research. This programme aims to instil the necessary knowledge, skills and values, preparing them for immediate employment or doctoral studies. The programme offers students the opportunity to pursue specialisations in any of these leading branches of Applied Psychology - Child Psychology, Community Psychology, Forensic & Investigative Psychology, or Industrial & Organisational Psychology.

Specialisations:

• Child Psychology
  • Child Psychology specialization is designed to equip students with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical competencies needed by a child psychologist. Besides relevant theoretical models, the coursework for this programme  includes assessment, diagnosis and intervention strategies, as well as ethical and legal considerations when working with children. Thise programme  prepares students to pursue careers as child psychologists, school counsellors, or researchers, with the ability to design and implement effective interventions based on cognitive and emotional learning frameworks.

• Sports Psychology
  • The sports psychology specialization is an intensive and specialized course designed for individuals who are passionate about the intersection of psychology and sports. This programme offers advanced training to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to excel in the dynamic field of sports psychology. It offers a wide range of application‑based modules covering aspects such as mental skills training, visualization, goal setting, relaxation, understanding team dynamics and leadership, and interventions to improve athlete performance. This programme is ideal for individuals who want to work with sports players, improve performance, and build a career in sports.

• Forensic and Investigative Psychology
  • This specialization prepares students to apply the conceptual and technical knowledge and principles of psychology to assist and resolve legal issues related to civil, criminal, contractual, and other judicial proceedings. This specialization aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the aetiology of criminal and investigative behaviour from a psychological perspective. By combining psychological theory, clinical practice, research-led teaching and hands-on laboratory experience, the programme introduces the students to various aspects of the intersection of psychology and law. The curriculum is designed to meet the current issues in crime and justice and prepare students to address them from an interdisciplinary depth. Forensic psychologist works closely with the police and legal team to perform psychological assessments of offenders, victims and witnesses contributing to criminal profiling, designing rehabilitation program, policy formation, correctional administration, victim advocacy and academic research.

• Industrial and Organisational Psychology
  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology provides specialist knowledge and hands-on skills to assess individual, group, and organizational dynamics within the workplace. It focuses on the application of psychological theories and principles to enhance organizational performance while also enhancing employee well–being. This specialization equips students with the competencies to conduct research and develop evidence-based solutions for talent acquisition, assessment, development, engagement, and retention. A diverse range of learner-centric pedagogies, combined with the faculty's extensive industry experience, ensures meaningful and actionable learning. Additionally, the industry-aligned curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for immediate and effective contributions in professional roles.

Why Study at JIBS?

• Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) is a leading future-oriented institute of knowledge and innovation at O.P. Jindal Global University. The Institute lays special emphasis on research and is proudly affiliated with the Academic Council of the United Nations System (ACUNS).
• With its world-class internationally acclaimed faculty and innovative interdisciplinary curriculum, JIBS has a vibrant community of scholars and professionals in the field of Psychology rehabilitation and allied behavioural science disciplines.
• JIBS focuses on experiential and skill-based learning. This is well-integrated into the curriculum and pedagogical practices. Field visits, internships, seminars, workshops, and interactive sessions with industry experts are key components of our students’ learning experiences.
• At JIBS, scholars and students have access to advanced psychological tools and equipment for research and learning across several state-of-the-art laboratories, including the Brain Behaviour Laboratory, Forensic Science Laboratory, Financial Crimes Studies Laboratory, Rehabilitation Centre, and the Psychology Research Laboratory.
• Through Memorandum of Understanding with renowned international educational institutions, we also offer our students active support to pursue Dual Degree Programmes and to participate in Summer and Winter School. A few of our esteemed partner institutions include University of Essex, Kings College London, University of Melbourne, University of Leeds, University of Reading, and University of Southampton.
• In collaboration with the JGU Office of Career Services, we connect our students with leading organizations across the country. Students can explore diverse internship and placement opportunities that are designed to provide industry insights and 21st century skills, helping them build meaningful careers.

The Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences strives to provide students with the highest quality education and training in Behavioural Sciences, making it a leading choice among Applied Psychology students in India.

To graduate, a student must complete the following꞉

• A minimum of 100 credits which includes a combination of core courses,
• electives, dissertation, and internships
• 3 mandatory internships during summer/ winter break (2 Credits)
• A dissertation worth 8 credits by the end of Year 2
• Specialization electives worth 6 credits ‑ Electives can be opted from Semester 2 to Semester 4 (refer to Semester 4 for select course offerings)

Duration- 2 Years

Course Structure 

To be able to apply for MA/MSc Applied Psychology at JIBS, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

• 50% marks in any undergraduate degree
• Choice of specialisation will have to be made  during the time of admission
• Applicants for all postgraduate programmes at JIBS will be selected based on their performance in Jindal-PMAT (Psychology Masters Admissions Test) and personal interaction. 
• Accepted standardized tests/competitive examinations - Jindal PMAT (Psychology Masters Admissions Test)/ GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)/
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)/ CAT (Common Admission Test)

Candidates need to pay an Application fee of ₹1000.
 

Tuition Fees*: 3,50,000 (INR per annum)

*The Tuition fee, residential charges and other allied service charges are subject to an annual increase of ten percent (10%).

**The security deposit will be fully refunded, subject to the completion of studies and/or receipt of a ‘No Dues Certificate’. The security deposit shall not carry any interest.

Placement Opportunities

• The Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences (JIBS) is committed to fostering a dynamic and supportive environment that prepares students for successful careers in the field of Applied Psychology. Our placement statistics for the first batch (2022-2024) of M.A./M.Sc. Applied Psychology students are a testament to the quality of education and professional training provided at JIBS.
• At JIBS, we believe in providing a holistic education that combines academic excellence with practical training. Our programmes are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen careers. The high placement success rate of our first batch is a clear indication of our commitment to our students’ professional growth and development.

Key Highlights

• We are proud to announce that the highest salary offered to our students is ₹10.2 LPA, with an average salary of ₹6.86 LPA. This remarkable achievement underscores the caliber of our graduates and the high regard in which they are held by employers. 
• Pre-placement Success at JIBS: 5 of our 2023-2025 Batch M.A./M.Sc. Applied Psychology students were placed at Policy Bazaar.

Placement Success

• Our placement success rate is an impressive 81.5%, with students securing positions in esteemed organisations. Additionally, 18.5% our students are in the ongoing placement process, further demonstrating the strong demand for JIBS graduates in the job market.

Designated Roles

• Our students have successfully secured roles in diverse sectors, reflecting the versatility and applicability of their training at JIBS. The designated roles include Psychologist, HR Executive, CSR Executive, Research Executive, and Operations Executive. These positions highlight the broad spectrum of opportunities available to our graduates.

Recruiters

• Our students have been recruited by a diverse array of esteemed organisations, reflecting the high standards of education and mentorship at JIBS. Some of the prominent employers include Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, CMS, Graviton Research Capital, CWCS, Sarthak, Market Vistas, AAJ, and JSP Foundation. These partnerships highlight the trust and confidence that top employers have in the capabilities of JIBS graduates.

O.P. Jindal Global University awards Merit-cum-Means  Scholarships (MCM). The MCM Scholarships covers the first  year tuition fee only. Scholarships applications are opened by the University in July and will be awarded to eligible students in August. The  eligibility criteria includes Income proof of parents, entrance exam, graduation score and faculty  interaction. Weightage will also be given to  curricular and non & curricular achievements.

Family ITR should not exceed INR 50 lakhs per annum in the latest returns.

JGU has established tie-ups with AVANSE (ICICI), Dena Bank and Credila (HDFC) to facilitate educational loans for students who are admitted to the M.A./M.Sc.  Applied Psychology and M.Sc. Psycho-social Rehabilitation programmes.