Jakarta, ThedailyID — Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will launch a new Master of Science in Psychology in August 2026, introducing a specialization in thanatology, or the study of death and grief (April 12, 2026). The university positions the program as the first master’s-level course of its kind in Asia.
The thanatology program trains students to understand death, the dying process, and emotional responses to loss. It also equips them to support individuals, families, and communities through psychological, social, and spiritual approaches.
NTU plans to admit up to 40 students in its first cohort. Graduates can pursue careers in hospitals, hospice care, palliative services, and crisis counseling.
Andy Ho said many Asian societies still treat death as a taboo topic. However, discussions around end-of-life care and grief support have started to grow in recent years.
“Individuals who are grieving often feel very alone because their emotions are not fully understood or acknowledged,” Ho said, as quoted by The Straits Times.
Singapore records around 30,000 deaths each year. As a result, thousands of families face loss and often lack proper emotional support.
At the same time, grief counseling services in Singapore remain loosely regulated. Not all providers have formal training, which increases the need for structured education in this field.
In addition to thanatology, the program offers three other specializations:
- Community Health Psychology
Students learn to design mental health interventions at the community level and address psychological challenges in broader social settings. - Neuropsychology
This field examines the link between brain function, human development, and mental health. It also covers educational neuropsychology to support children’s cognitive needs. - Forensic Psychology
Students explore how psychology applies within legal and criminal justice systems, including work in prisons and law enforcement.
Rebecca M. Nichols said the program aims to prepare graduates for roles beyond clinical settings.
“We want to train individuals who can operate across clinical, community, and policy environments,” she said.
The program runs for 1.5 years and includes 500 hours of field practice. NTU offers it through its School of Social Sciences to complement existing applied psychology programs in Singapore.
Jon Wilson said the demand for mental health professionals continues to grow.
“We need more professionals who can support mental health not only in clinical settings but also within the wider community,” he said.
Overall, NTU expects the program to strengthen psychological resilience and improve access to professional mental health support across Singapore.
