Bachelor of Psychology

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to

• Prepare students for a career as professional psychology counsellors.
• Equip students with policy making and research skills with respect to the field of psychology.
• Ensure and nurture sound theoretical, ethical and practical approaches in the psychology profession.

Rationale

The rationale for the development and implementation of the programme is to

• Provide students with a professional qualification to become registered counsellors.
• Orientate them to the various theoretical and practical approaches within the field of counselling/clinical psychology.
• Nurture in students, through the study of social scientific knowledge and research skills, innovative, creative and critical skills required to improve the quality of life of society.

Prospective Bachelor in Psychology students must demonstrate

• Ability to communicate adequately in spoken and written language.
• A mastery of basic literacy and numeracy skills.
• Strong and sincere interest in helping others.
• Sensitivity and awareness of human behaviour and needs.
• Critical and reflective skills as well as creative abilities.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Alternative routes of entry including the assessment of a student's capacity to access the programme by Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or other means apply, using Senate discretionary selection requirements.

Access to the qualification

The entrance qualification for the Bachelor of Psychology shall be

• A National Certificate (NCS) or its equivalent.
• Life Orientation and Mathematical Literacy at Grade 12 Level.

NQF Level 7: Total Credits required at the qualifications are 480, as assigned in the following table

Learning components; Number of Credits; NQF Level

• Fundamentals; 48 Credits; NQF Level 5 and 6.
• Core; 376 Credits; NQF Level 6 and 7.
• Electives; 64 Credits; NQF Level 7.

Specific outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme students will be able to demonstrate

• That they have acquired sound theoretical knowledge-based and critical understanding of psychology in general.
• Knowledge of contemporary counselling/clinical theories as related to most aspects of health care and promotion of psychological well-being.
• Appropriate skills and competence in assessing psychological problems.
• Ability and skills in the administration, scoring and interpretation of selected psychological tests.
• Skills and competence in the design and implementation of psychological research.

Critical outcomes

The critical cross-field outcomes are integrated into the exit level outcomes of the qualification as follows

• Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
• Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization and community.
• Organizing and managing oneself and one's activities responsibility and effectively.

Both formative and summative assessment will be used as indicated on Integrated Assessment.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment strategy includes a variety of options to demonstrate and provide evidence of practice, based on the anticipated outcomes and the assessment criteria. This includes activities such as case studies, problem solving assignments, practice in simulated and in situ contexts, projects, written and oral presentations.

The assessment is focused on applied competence and assessment evidence include

• Oral presentations which are observed in context to observe ability to communicate with comprehension.
• Two or more work-based projects to demonstrate the application of the learning and insights from the core modules.
• Evidence of self, peer and tutor assessment.
• Assignments and/or examinations providing evidence of the ability to apply knowledge to practice.
• Psychological assessment case study.
• A mini-dissertation.