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3 Semesters - Entry without first degree possible - 100 % Distance Learning

MSc Cyber Psychology
of Online Communication

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MSc Cyber Psychology of Online Communication

University Partner

FHWien der WKW

In cooperation with

AIHE Academic Institute for Higher Education GmbH (AIHE)

Video testimonials from graduates

 

Enrolled


at FHWien der WKW

Tuition Fee

instead of 856.84 €/month x 18 months (VAT exempt)

now 697.53 €/month x 18 months (VAT exempt)

Total costs for 18 months:

instead of 15,423.12 € (VAT exempt)

now 12,555.54 € (VAT exempt).

AIHE GmbH does not offer any scholarships and cannot advise on country-specific funding options.

Academic Degree

 Master of Science
MSc Cyber Psychology of Online Communication

Title

Each country has different guidelines on the correct way of writing titles. Find out how you should write an austrian master’s degree in your country.

For example: Jim Morrison MSc or Jim Morrison MSc (Vienna)

Please read the FAQ

Type of Study

Distance Learning (further education course in accordance with §9 of the Austrian Federal Law on University of Applied Sciences
[Lehrgang zur Weiterbildung gemäß §9 österreichisches Bundesgesetz über Fachhochschul-Studiengänge])

Attendance

Distance learning without any physical presence (100% distance learning)

Number of Students

15 – 20 students per cohort

Programme Language

 English

Start of studies

SS 01.03.

WS 01.09.

FINAL RUN OF THE COURSE*

Wintersemester 2023 (01.09.2023)

*Access to the learning platform, in order to be able to work ahead if you are interested, is possible immediately after signing the contract.

Application Time

SS 15.01.

WS 31.07.  WS 31.08.2023

Admission Requirements

First degree (at least bachelor) from a recognised German or comparable other foreign university as well as one year of work experience 

 or

the equivalent of the first university degree is considered to be at least six years’ relevant professional experience, of which at least one year must have been spent in leadership, project or high budget responsibility. A small entrance test is performed.

In addition, the following additional qualifications are welcome:

Knowledge in the field of psychology (e.g. clinical psychology, social psychology, business psychology), online related professions (e.g. IT, online advertising) and other professions in contact with cyberspace or psychology. 

All those interested, whether with or without a first degree, will have a 20-minute telephone conversation to check their suitability for this Master’s programme.

Title Award

After completing the master’s dissertation award of the master’s degree by FHWien der WKW

Study location

Distance learning programme, enrolled as a student at FHWien of the WKW.

Scope

10 – 15 working hours per week
90 ECTS

Selection process

The selection process is based on the order in which applications are received, taking into account qualitative criteria and the outcome of the telephone interview.

Certification and iso 9001

This master’s programme is approved by the “Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht” (ZFU) in Germany with the registration number: 1106720.

AIHE is certified style DIN EN ISO 9001:2015.

Registered

Ministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur Schleswig-Holstein

Duration

3 semesters

It is possible to pause your studies for 6 or 12 months.

Request access to our AIHE-Portal.

Get free information

Would you like to get access to our AIHE portal and additional information? We would be delighted to provide this.

OR

Training focus of the
Master's programme

The content of the 1.5 year master’s programme is based on the following twelve focal points:

Introduction to Cyber Psychology and Personality in Cyberspace

  • Basics of psychological scientific work (e.g. APA guidelines, literature research)
  • History, literacy and dynamics of cyberspace
  • Fundamentals of human behaviour
  • Basics of cyberspace and human behaviour
  • Personality online
  • Identity and communication: Real-world vs. virtual
  • Online behaviour and interpersonal relationships

Social Media, Networking & Communication

  • Forms of social media
    Social communication in cyberspace
  • Communication and interaction: Real-world vs. virtual
  • Psychosocial characteristics of communicating in virtual groups
  • Collaborative work online
  • Basics of virtual and augmented reality
  • Psychology of online business

Psychology of Online Business

  • Big data & work
  • New work environments: Trends & challenges
  • Interaction of firms & consumers
  • Consumer well-being
  • Consumer privacy
  • Big data & marketing
  • Digital advertising

Online Communication, Support, Counselling & Coaching

  • Addictive behaviours
  • Social isolation online
  • Self-presentation online
  • E-therapy approaches
  • E-coaching approaches
  • E-counselling approaches

Children and Teenagers’ Use of Online Communication and Media

  • Children interacting with the internet
  • Language development in a cyber development
  • Cognitive & neurocognitive factors influenced by the cyberspace
  • Ethics of parenting and guardianship of young adults

Communication with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • What is AI and what are possible trends in AI?
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Emotions in human-computer interaction
  • Humanlike behaviour in machines and its effect on humans
  • Ethics of interaction with AI
  • Intimate relationships with machines

Psychology of Online Gaming and Multiplayer Platforms / Psychology of Virtual Gaming

  • Classification of video games
  • Serious games
  • Psychology in game design: Theories and application
  • Effects of video games on mental and physical health
  • Usage of video games for (cognitive) training purposes

E-Politics, Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility

  • Digital footprints
  • E-participation in politics
  • Political control of the cyberspace: Bots, propaganda and cyberspace governance
  • Organizational control of the cyberspace: Corporate social responsibility
  • Legal and formal ethical guidelines
  • Democracy and tolerance in cyberspace

The Dark Web – Cybercrime and Deviance

  • Surface, deep and dark web
  • Internet of Things
  • Theories and forms of cybercrime
  • Analogies of cybercrime and real-world crime
  • Fighting cybercrime: Legal, ethical and practical considerations
  • Trends & challenges

Research Methods

  • Free selection of one of the programme’s topics
  • Academic and independent research regarding this topic
  • Qualitative content analysis according to Mayring
  • Design of an interview guideline for the purpose of expert interviews
  • Commit to a structure and a format of a master’s dissertation
  • Creation of a written exposé

Master’s Dissertation

  • Academic and independent research regarding the topic
  • Planning and execution of expert interviews (6 x 30 minutes)
  • Evaluation by using qualitative content analysis according to Mayring
  • Writing the master’s dissertation abiding academic psychological standards

Master’s Oral Examination

  • Presentation of one’s own master’s dissertation

Distribution of priorities

Master's Programme in detail

Scientific foundation for experienced professionals | without a first university degree

The innovative master’s programme focuses on a diverse curriculum of psychological topics set in a cyber environment. Its academic foundation enables our graduates to understand and create the latest developments in their field of profession, with a focus on the cyber world. The content covers a wide range of aspects, for instance, political, occupational and clinical view of psychology in online communication.

Development of key competences | Master’s Degree through distance learning

Students will be able to start or build on their chosen profession through an understanding of Cyber Psychology of Online Communication, and therefore be able to face future challenges and changes concerning their line of work. The distance learning format trains them in online communication and working in virtual teams – hence the content and methods in the course would overlap.

Trends and research topics of the future | Cyber Psychology of Online Communication

Researching and dealing with up-to-date advances in the topic gives the graduates the possibility to foresee coming trends in their own workplace. An appreciation of the changing world of online behaviour gained through this programme will enable students to question existing behaviours and practices and help to replace them with adjusted ones that are fit for future.

For whom has this Master’s Programme been designed?

The master’s programme is an applied course, intended for all those who wish to focus on an interdisciplinary and contemporary approach towards understanding online communication from a distinctly psychological perspective. It is expected that many of the potential students will have an interest and professional aptitude to begin with, and this master’s programme will enable them to craft the way forward in a more applied and multidisciplinary way.

Our target group

Freelancers

Lecturers

Therapists

Mediators

Consultants

Cyber Security Experts

Software Programmers

Game Developers

App Developers

Leaders

Heads of Department

Team Leaders

System Analysts

IT System Administrators

Project Managers

Human Resource Managers

Police and Law Enforcement Officials

Practitioners

Social counsellors

Social Psychologists

Organizational Psychologists

Start-up Company Managers

Social Scientists

Social and Care Workers

Legal Consultants

Media Specialists

Marketing and Advertising Specialists

Learning concept of the Distance Learning Programme

HIGH PRACTICAL RELEVANCE | INNOVATIVE DISTANCE LEARNING | INDIVIDUAL AND COMPETENT STUDENT SUPPORT | NO PHYSICAL PRESENCE

The learning concept of MSc Cyber Psychology of Online Communication is characterised by a high level of relevance to evidence-based content as well as innovative teaching and learning methods. The design as a pure distance learning course means optimal orientation to the needs of the target group.

The combination of guided self-study, individual student support and e-learning units offers students the possibility of learning independent of time and place, oriented to their own professional requirements and needs.

The use of modern e-learning modules guarantees students interactive learning as well as clear presentation and discussion of abstract content. Interactive Webinars and discussions in virtual space promote the integration of theoretical principles and methods into professional practice. The use of a Virtual Tutorial in the form of an online learning platform enables flexible and network-like knowledge transfer, which can be optimally varied and adapted according to individual learning needs and progress.

The provision of recordings as well as all learning material in electronic form facilitates knowledge management and asynchronous learning for students in a learning group with different professional conditions and freedom. In addition, this means simpler and time- and location-independent documentation and repetition of teaching content.

Overview of the Teaching Concept

Would you like to apply?

The application for admission to our master’s degree program takes place in three steps.

Submit your application

Apply electronically using the application form. But before you do so, please take your time to read through the information on distance learning and estimate whether you can and want to invest approx. 10 – 15 hours a week. There will be exciting and relaxing phases, but also phases that are temporarily exhausting. Think about your personal motivation. You should be able to formulate it very clearly for yourself.

Examination

Upon receipt of your application documents, we, the AIHE, review them and send recommendations for admission to the FHWien der WKW. They will decide if and who will be admitted and inform us of their decision. We will then send you the decision of the FHWien der WKW.

Conclusion of contract

As soon as you have received an admission letter, you can conclude the student contract with us. Study places will be allocated according to the order in which applications are received after confirmation of admission. As soon as you have signed the study contract and sent it to us and a study place (limited to 50 places) is available, you will receive the signed contract back. Now your place is secured. You will be enrolled as a student at FHWien der WKW at the start of your studies and will be a student at this innovative austrian university.

University Partner

This course is carried out in conjunction with the FHWien of WKW.

 

FHWien of WKW:

The FHWien of WKW is Austria's leading university of applied sciences for management and communication.

The decisive factor for the cooperation between AIHE GmbH and FHWien der WKW is the practice-oriented design of the course programmes. The practical relevance of the teaching is a top priority at the FHWien. The practically orientated training is supported by close cooperation with companies from different industries and teachers directly from the business world.