Written by Maryam Gangat (1)

Applying for a master’s degree in psychology is the first step toward becoming a registered psychologist in South Africa. While a master’s in psychology can open many doors for prospective students looking to establish careers as professionals within this field, this qualification is often a minimum requirement for anyone who wants to register as a practicing psychologist. If you’re interested in pursuing a master’s degree in psychology, it pays to start preparing early. As all master’s degrees in psychology are subject to rigorous screening and selection processes, this can be anxiety-provoking for many students applying for admission into these postgraduate programs.

Here are some important aspects to consider when preparing for your master’s degree.

1. Build a strong support system
Giving and receiving emotional support is one of the most basic needs we have as humans. A strong support system will decrease your stress and promote better mental health. A strong support system can include professional support from your therapist, university, or religious organisations, in addition to your family and friends. This support system should consist of people who will hold you accountable, respect your decisions, and give you a sense of belonging. When preparing for your master’s degree, having a strong support system can foster resilience and provide a space for you to explore your feelings or concerns about the process. By utilising your support system during this crucial period, you will be more likely to reach your goals and persevere through hardship.

2. Build your professional network 
Building your professional network may open many doors and possibilities for you in the future. Through building your network, you will gain additional knowledge and skills required in preparation for your master’s degree and consequently, your career as a registered psychologist thereafter. Networking allows you to exchange resources with other students who are also preparing for a master’s degree in psychology, and it can provide you with social and emotional support. Furthermore, networking has the potential to expand your contact list exponentially in the field that you are passionate about and engaged in. This can be advantageous to your application when applying for your master’s degree in psychology, as most masters’ degrees request referee reports from people you have networked with in your field of psychology. The PsySSA Annual Congress, taking place between the 12th to 14th of October 2022, is a great opportunity to network with students and distinguished professionals in the different fields of psychology.

3. Personal therapy
Seeking personal therapy is advantageous for any student preparing for a master’s degree in psychology. The benefits of personal therapy include: assisting with personal and professional development, raising self-awareness, emotional resilience, and confidence. Personal therapy also offers a very good form of experiential learning, whereby candidates can see how the concepts they learn about in theory, play out in practice. There are genuine therapeutic gains explored by engaging with the process. Personal therapy provides the space for candidates preparing for a master’s degree in psychology to see the whole therapeutic process from beginning to end, to have therapist behaviours modelled for them, and to experience how ethical boundaries are established and maintained. Given South Africa’s economic climate, candidates with limited financial resources can seek personal therapy from a registered psychologist at a reduced rate or make use of the free counselling services offered by non-profit organisations such as Life Line and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group.

4. Practice your time management
A master’s degree in psychology requires a high level of self-discipline and improved time management. When preparing for a master’s degree in psychology, you will need to evaluate your priorities and establish a schedule to work towards achieving your goals. Without practicing adequate time management, the academic, social, family, and work facets of your life can begin to feel as if they’re competing for priority. This can result in overwhelming feelings of anxiety and can disrupt your process of preparing for your master’s degree. It is crucial to make time in your schedule for self-care and leisure activities regularly, as these activities significantly increase one’s mental health and well-being

5. Keep the End in View
Preparing for a master’s degree in psychology can be daunting and can often result in feelings of helplessness and frustration. It’s a good idea to constantly remind yourself of why you’re preparing for your master’s degree in psychology and to have a clear view of your end goal. Remember, not everyone preparing for a master’s degree in psychology is guaranteed placement in the program as each master’s program is subject to selection procedures and places within a master’s program are limited. Although each person invited for psychology master’s interviews shows the potential for being accepted into the program, many individuals are only selected after going through the process multiple times. If you haven’t yet been successful in procuring a placement within your master’s program, keep enriching your experiences to work on strengthening your application for the following year. Resilience and perseverance are notable character traits for all candidates applying for a master’s degree in psychology.

(1) Author writes in her capacity as chairperson of RISE, a PsySSA Student Division sub-committee.