About Us 

Established in 1857, the University of Mumbai is one of India’s most prestigious and NAAC-accredited institutions. The Department of Applied Psychology, founded in 1959, has been a pioneer in advancing the discipline at a time when psychology was still emerging in India, particularly in Mumbai. 

Over the past six and a half decades, the department has grown steadily, reflecting both academic rigour. The department’s curriculum is thoughtfully designed to address contemporary societal challenges, equipping students with both conceptual understanding and hands-on skills in assessment and intervention. Beyond academics, the department actively engages with the community through its Counselling Centre and psychotherapy. It also fosters a strong research culture through various scholarly initiatives.

The department’s faculty members are nationally recognised, with many holding influential positions in prominent professional bodies, further extending the department’s impact beyond the academic sphere.

Facilities

Experimental Psychology Lab

The Department of Applied Psychology houses a well-equipped Experimental Psychology Laboratory that supports both teaching and research activities. The lab is used extensively for conducting experimental studies and practical sessions in areas such as perception, sensation, motivation, emotion, decision-making, memory, and learning. 

Students are required to design and conduct their own experiments and develop psychometric scales, gaining valuable hands-on experience in experimental methodology. Each year, nearly 100 students utilise the laboratory facilities for coursework and research projects. 

The laboratory is equipped with modern software tools such as OpenSesame and R, enabling the smooth computerisation and execution of psychological experiments. The UDAP Experimental Psychology Lab continues to be updated regularly to provide an enriching learning and research environment.

Psychological Testing Lab

The Department of Applied Psychology maintains a comprehensive collection of standardised psychological tests that are widely used by faculty members, researchers, and postgraduate students.

The available assessments cover diverse domains, including:

• Aptitude (e.g., DAT, GATB)

• Intelligence (e.g., WISC-IV, BKT, WAIS-III, WAPIS-Pr, MISIC, PGIBBD, SPM, CPM, SFBT, VSMS, Bhatia Battery, NIEPID)

• Personality (e.g., Rorschach, MCMI-III, MMPI-II, NEO-FFI, TAT, CAT, RPF, 16PF, HSPQ, CPQ, EPI)

• Cognitive (BG-II, WMS-III)
  
  

Students in the M.A. Part I program acquire knowledge about psychological assessment as part of their coursework, while M.A. Part II students apply these skills in fieldwork and research. These facilities enable students to develop strong competencies in psychological testing, scoring, and interpretation. 

Library

The UDAP has a large and varied collection of over a hundred books, some gifted by grateful past students and some purchased with generous University funding.

M-OPC

The Mumbai - Online Psychometrics Center (MOPC) is part of the research initiative “Online Psychometrics: Data Science and Public Policy.” The project is led by Dr. Vivek Belhekar, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Psychology, University of Mumbai. 

M-OPC is dedicated to developing online, open-access, and multilingual psychometric assessment systems. The psychological instruments used have been independently developed by Dr. Belhekar and his collaborators. Individuals who participate in these assessments receive personalised feedback, while researchers at M-OPC utilise anonymised data to model psychological processes and gain insights into human behaviour.

The analysed data also informs the development of public policy documents, aiming to contribute to evidence-based policymaking and improved social outcomes. In addition, the project supports the creation of courses, research papers, and other public resources. 

MOPC has been independently funded by Dr. Vivek Belhekar and operates under the Department of Applied Psychology, University of Mumbai.

To Access: https://m-opc-onlinepsychometrics.share.connect.posit.cloud/home.html

Counselling Centre

Brain Behaviour Lab

Faculty Labs

1. Personality, Language,and Culture Lab: Dr. Vivek Belhekar

2. Theoretical and Critical Psychology: Dr. Umesh Bharte

3. Anxiety and Other Disabling Human Conditions: Dr. Wilbur Gonsalves

Academic Program

MA

At the postgraduate level, students receive a strong foundation in theoretical psychology along with intensive, practice-oriented training in four applied specialisations:

• Clinical Psychology

• Counselling Psychology

• Industrial/Organisational Psychology

• Social Psychology

PhD

Mahatma Gandhi Peace Centre 

The Mahatma Gandhi Peace Centre at the University of Mumbai is housed in the department. works to build a community rooted in acceptance, equality, and harmony across faiths and social groups. Inspired by Gandhi’s ideals of peace, justice, and non-violence, the Centre translates these values into action through talks, conferences, guest lectures, and youth training programs. 

In collaboration with like-minded organisations, it promotes dialogue and collective learning, encouraging people to approach conflict with empathy and to make peace a lived, everyday practice.