Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology at Chiang Mai University takes pride in being the oldest institution that offers a Clinical Psychology degree program in Thailand. Since its establishment in 1966, the Department has been highly acknowledged for its distinction in both teaching and researches. Currently, the Department is rated the third best Psychology Department in the National Rankings by Subject Index of 2015, conducted by the QS World University Ranking. 

     Strongly devoted to equipping students and the public with a comprehensive knowledge about the mind and behavior, the Department’s programs put an emphasis on the application of psychology to real-life issues and problems via two key fields: clinical psychology and industrial and organizational psychology.

     In addition to academic works, the Department of Psychology has engaged in a wide variety of public service activities. A program “Psychology for the Society and Community,” which involves trainings on psychology and psychology-related topics to the interested public, and “Psyche Day,” an exhibition showcasing the Department’s performance and progress while giving psychological assessment and counseling to Chiang Mai University students,  have been organized regularly. Besides, the Department, in collaboration with the Chiang Mai Provincial Court, develops psychosocial referral and consultation approaches for the judicial sector with undergraduate and graduate students apprenticing themselves in corresponding services: giving psychological tests and psychological therapy to convicts and their family, for example.

 Psychology is the scientific study of people: how they think, act, react and interact. In other words it deals with human behavior, thoughts and feelings as well as motivation underlying such behavior. An insight into the behavior -- how and why people behave in the ways they do -- and the ability to apply such knowledge in a variety of settings consequently makes Psychology graduates valuable and employable not only in the Psychology field but also in any career and society.

     Adopting experimental approaches, practical applications and other methodologies, this four-year program is designed to give students a solid background and understanding of key areas of psychology and then move on to an increasing depth of study in the specialization of their preference.

     Clinical Psychology is concerned with the observation, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders.

    Industrial and Organizational Psychology aims to study and understand human behavior in the workplace, focusing on increasing productivity and related issues such as the well-being of employees.

     Additionally, this program also allows flexibility in selecting courses under the chosen specialization according to one’s interests.

Key Benefits

• Teaching is informed by field experts and award-winning researchers;

     Over the course of four years, students are required to complete at least 135 credits. In each of the seven semesters, they will take six or seven individual courses, normally valued at 2.0 and 3.0 credits each, adding up to 17.0 to 21.0 credits for the semester. In the last semester, counted 6.0 credits, students undertake a Practicum– internship -- program in their specializations.

    In the first year, students are introduced to foundation modules: General Psychology and Social Psychology, which bring on a sound understanding of the process and mechanisms of the mind. Two compulsory communicative English courses and other interdisciplinary courses, such as Man and Quest for Knowledge and Information Technology and Modern Life, along with three subjects of their own choice in the Arts & Humanities and Sciences & Mathematics fields plus one elective, give students desired versatility.

    In the second year, an emphasis is put on more advanced and concentrated Psychology study through seven such courses as Psychology of Personality, Physiological Psychology, Principles of Psychological Measurement, Behavior Disorders and others.While continuing on higher-level communicative English courses, students may start their minor study at this level.

     In the third year, while taking compulsory courses: Psychological Counseling, Experimental Psychology and Research Methodology in Psychology, each student chooses his/her specialization at this stage.
Those taking Clinical Psychology path move on to the following modules:  

• Introduction to Clinical Psychology
• Intelligent and Specific Ability Assessment
• Psychotherapy
• Personality and Behavior Assessment in Clinical Psychology
• Projective Techniques in Clinical Assessment

Those taking Industrial and Organizational Psychology path study the following modules:  

• Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Human Factors Engineering
• Motivation at Work
• Personnel Training and Development
• Personnel Psychology

     In the fourth year, in addition to Group Counseling module for Clinical Psychology students and Consumer Psychology for those on the Industrial and Organizational Psychology path, students are free to choose two advanced modules in their specializations. In the first semester, they further develop analytical and presentation skills via a Seminar module and, in the second semester, get real-life experiences through an internship program, Clinical Psychology Practicum and Industrial and Organizational Psychology Practicum.

 Psychology graduates possess a broad range of transferable skills, such as excellent communication skills, the ability to work both independently and in a team, to analyze and synthesize complex material effectively, and to respond precisely and positively to challenges and circumstances. This means psychology graduates is capable of working in many areas of profession. 
     Specifically, clinical psychologists work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, health authorities and health research departments, education services, law enforcement agencies etc., while industrial and organizational psychologists work in management, personnel, training, selection and careers services in private practice and commercial settings. 

     Samples of career destinations include:

• President-Elect, the ASEAN Regional Union of Psychological Societies
• Presidents, the Thai Clinical Psychologist Association 
• Chief of Diplomatic Mission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Senior Executive Vice President, Operations, Siam Paragon Development Co., Ltd.