Bachelor of Psychology

1. The first purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with an in depth knowledge base in at least the following substantive areas in Psychology: The Biological Bases of Human Behaviour, the Social Context of Behaviour, Community Psychology, Human Development, Personology, Psychopathology, Psychological Assessment, Psychotherapeutic Interventions, Psychological Research.
2. A Second related purpose of the qualification is to provide students with the necessary training that will enable them to registered as "Registered Councellors" with the Professional Board for Psychology (PBP) (of the Health Professions Board of South African) (the B.Psych degree leads to registration as a "Registered Psychologist")
3. A third purpose is to provide preliminary training for the D.Psych degree, which follows the B. Psych degree training programme and which allows for registration as "Psychologist".
4. The fourth purpose of the qualification is to provide the communities which the university serves with graduates who have a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of psychology and community mental health issues - thereby contributing to the well-being of our nation at a primary level'

Learners should have successfully completed Grade 12 with a C-symbol in one of the official languages.

The B. Psych graduate has a thorough critical and integrated understanding of

1. The major extant theories of, and the debates and research on, human Development - particularly within the South African context;
2. The theories of, and research (particularly in the South African context) on, the major child, adolescent and adult psychopathologies;
3. The key 'Western' and indigenous theories and methods of psychotherapeutic interventions;
4. The principles of social and community psychology - specifically insofar as they relate to topical social problems such as crime, violence racism.
5. The philosophy, principles and methods of social scientific research.

The Bachelor of Psychology graduate should be able to demonstrate the following competencies of the Bachelor of Psychology programme (These are in line with the core and derived competencies specified by the PBP for B.Psych graduates.

1. The ability to conduct basic psychological assessment.
2. The ability to conduct basic, short-term psychological interventions.
3. The ability to refer clients to an equivalent professional peer within the primary health-care system, e.g. a general practitioner and social worker.
4. The ability to conduct a research project of limited scope and implement the research findings.
5. The ability to manage a practice in a responsible manner and in line with the stipulated requirements of the PBP

The B.Psysh graduate is able to show proof that he/she has internalized the following values critical to the discipline of Psychology:

1. a respect of self;
2. a respect for the basic human rights of others; and
3. a commitment to assisting in the optimal development and functioning of all South Africans.

Specify critical cross-field outcomes

All B. Psych graduate will be able to

• Communicate effectively
• Think critically
• Collect, organise, analyse, and critically evaluate information
• Work effectively with others
• Understand the work as a set of related systems
• Being of service to the community
• Entrepreneurship

All cross-field outcomes are basic to, or embedded in, the programme specific outcomes and will be assessed together with the latter

Outcomes 1-5 will be assessed by means of written examinations, assignments, class discussions, and seminar presentations. More specifically, these outcomes will be assessed at levels 6 and 7 of SAQA's list of descriptors: 'Scope of learning'

Outcomes 6-10 will be assessed by means of case reports, research reports, written assignments, class discussions, on-site practical evaluation, and seminar presentations. More specifically, these outcomes will be assessed at levels 5, 6 and 7 of SAQA's lists of level descriptors: 'Scope of Learing', Nature of Processes', and level 1 of SAQA's list of descriptors: Responsibility

Outcomes 11-13 will be assessed on the basis of what is reflected in the learner's written ad oral examinations, written assignments, class discussions, seminar presentations, research reports and case reports

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

• Simulations
• Workplace assessment
• Written Examinations
• Oral Examination

Other

• Assessment of participation in class discussions
• Assessment of seminar presentations
• Assessment of research and clinical placement reports
• On-site assessment at practical placements