Bachelor of Psychology

Purpose

The Bachelor of Psychology (B Psych) is a four-year undergraduate degree in the discipline of Psychology. The programme aligns with the characteristics of learning outcomes at the Bachelor level as specified in the Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) descriptors and with the graduate outcome requirements and sequence for a four year professional degree in psychology as specified by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Board for Psychology.

The purpose of the Bachelor of Psychology Degree is to equip learners with knowledge, skills, and attitudes (ethics) related to assessing, understanding, explaining and developing human behaviour in a multi-cultural context such as that in South Africa, ultimately with the intention of placing working professionals in community mental health areas of care in South Africa.

The Bachelor of Psychology programme will provide learners with a solid foundation in, but not limited to, the following set of attributes:

• The acquisition of a systematic and coherent body of knowledge, the underlying principles and concepts and the associated communication and problem solving skills.
• The development of the academic skills and attributes necessary to undertake research, comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a range of sources.
• The development of the ability to review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowledge and techniques learnt, including in a professional context.
• A foundation for self-directed and lifelong learning.
• Interpersonal and teamwork skills appropriate to employment and/or further study.

The following attributes form the basis of intended outcomes and cover

• Core knowledge and understanding.
• Research methods in psychology.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Values, research and professional ethics.
• Communication Skills.
• Learning and the application of psychology.

Rationale

A study carried out in 2004 found that the range and depth of community mental health needs has overwhelmed the present capacity of psychological services in South Africa. It was found that the limited number of psychologists presently practicing in South Africa (4 per 100,000 population as against better resourced countries such as the United States of America, which has a ratio of 26.4 per 100,000 population) requires the accelerated training of primary level psychological counsellors to assist in addressing such common community problems as mental retardation, scholastic problems, physical/sexual abuse, depression/anxiety and somatic complaints, amongst others.

This Bachelor of Psychology programme addresses the growing and acknowledged need for the training and equipping of psychology students at a Postgraduate level. The potential benefits to offering a Bachelor of Psychology Degree at South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) are to:

• Provide applied training for suitably qualified students wishing to enter the field of Psychology as professional practitioners.
• Enhance the potential for co-operation with other departments of Psychology in the public and private sectors, both regionally and nationally.
• Offer applied training without threat to the present enrolment potential of public institutions offering the same programme, given that the number of public and private institutions presently offering the Bachelor of Psychology Degree remains relatively small.
• Enhance access for suitable students presently enrolled in other non-degree programmes, but who wish to engage in further studies towards a professional qualification.
• Provide well-trained and (ultimately) registered practitioners for essential mental health services in South Africa.

Students are required to have a Grade 12 qualification (Matriculation with Endorsement). Students who register for entry into this qualification at NQF Level 5 should:

• Have the information-gathering, analysis and presentation skills required at Level 4 on the NQF.
• Be able to comprehend what they have learned and to communicate it reliably, accurately, and comprehensively in the required medium of instruction.
• Be able to take responsibility for their own learning and its progress within a well-structured and managed learning environment.
• Be able to evaluate own performance.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students presently enrolled with the Diploma: Counselling and Communication and the Graduate Diploma: Counselling may receive Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for certain modules common to both the Diploma programmes and the Degree programme. Learners may provide evidence of prior learning for which they may receive credit towards the qualification by means of portfolios or other forms of appropriate evidence, which may include verified accounts of previous relevant work done and performance records and which evidence is in accordance with the requirements of the relevant Quality Council.

Mature students wishing to enrol into the Bachelor of Psychology Degree programme are required to attend a personal interview at SACAP, as well as provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Motivation letter.

Access to the Qualification

Open to learners in possession of a National Senior Certificate or equivalent, granting access to Bachelor Degree study.

Total Credits for the qualification: 480 Credits.

The qualification comprises 22 compulsory modules which total 400 Credits.

In addition, the student must select four specialisation areas and complete the modules thereof to a total of 80 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5

• Introduction to Psychology A, 10 Credits.
• Interpersonal Communication, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Psychology B, 10 Credits.
• Practical Counselling Skills 1, 20 Credits.
• Practical Counselling Skills 2, 20 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 5: 80 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6

• Counselling Methods 1, 20 Credits.
• Counselling Methods 2, 20 Credits.
• Perception and Cognition, 10 Credits.
• Learning and Memory, 10 Credits.
• Personality and Individual Differences, 10 Credits.
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, 10 Credits.
• Development through the Lifespan, 20 Credits.
• Social Psychology, 20 Credits.
• Social Analysis, 20 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 6: 140 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7

• Psychopathology, 20 Credits.
• Psychological Measurement and Assessment, 20 Credits.
• Supervision and Professional Ethics, 20 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 7 (Compulsory Modules): 60 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 8

• Fieldwork Internship Part 1, 30 Credits.
• Applied Social Research, 20 Credits.
• Fieldwork Internship Part 2, 30 Credits.
• Major Project Paper, 10 Credits.
• Fieldwork Internship Part 3, 30 Credits.

Total Credits at NQF Level 8: 120 Credits.

Specialisation areas and their Modules: all at NQF Level 7 and all 20 Credits each

- Addiction

> Addiction 1.

> Addiction 2.

> Self-Esteem and Motivation.

> Crisis and Trauma Counselling or Counselling in Loss.

- Children and Youth

> Working with Children.

> Working with Adolescents.

> Self-Esteem and Motivation.

> Family and Relationship Counselling.

- Coaching

> Coaching Skills 1.

> Coaching Skills 2.

> Coaching Skills 3.

> Conflict Management.

- Community Mental Health

> Self-Esteem and Motivation.

> Human Sexuality and HIV Counselling or Family and Relationship Counselling.

> Somatic Counselling Skills.

> Stress and Anxiety Management.

- Conflict Resolution

> Conflict Management.

> Crisis and Trauma Counselling.

> Facilitation Skills 1.

> Stress and Anxiety Management.

- Family Counselling

> Family and Relationship Counselling.

> Working with Children.

> Working with Adolescents.

> Self-Esteem and Motivation OR Human Sexuality and HIV Counselling.

- HIV Counselling

> Human Sexuality and HIV Counselling.

> Counselling in Loss OR Crisis and Trauma Counselling.

> Family and Relationship Counselling.

> Self-Esteem and Motivation.

- School Counselling

> Counselling in Education.

> Career Counselling and Assessment.

> Working with Children OR Working with Adolescents.

> Self-Esteem and Motivation.

- Trauma Counselling

> Crisis and Trauma Counselling.

> Counselling in Loss.

> Family and Relationship Counselling.

OR.

> Self-Esteem and Motivation.

> Stress and Anxiety Management.

Total Credits for Specialisation Modules at NQF Level 7: 80 Credits.

1. Acquire a systematic and coherent body of knowledge, the underlying principles and concepts and associated communication and problem solving skills.
2. Develop the academic skills and attributes necessary to undertake research, comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence from a range of sources.
3. Develop the ability to review, consolidate, extend and apply the knowledge and techniques learnt, including in a professional context.
4. Develop a high view of ethical standards and treatments in the pursuit of dignity and respect within a professional context.
5. Understand the importance of good communication in terms of verbal and non-verbal skills.
6. Develop a good foundation for self-directed and lifelong learning, as well as interpersonal and teamwork skills appropriate to employment and/or further study.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

1.1 Knowledge and understanding of core topics in the discipline are acquired.

- Range of Core Knowledge includes but is not limited to

> Abnormal Psychology.

> Biological bases of behaviour.

> Cognition, information, processing and language.

> Individual differences in capacity and behaviour.

> Testing assessment and personality.

> Health psychology.

> Lifespan development psychology.

> Motivation and emotion.

> Perception.

> Social psychology.

> History and philosophy of psychology.

> Cross cultural diversity.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

2.1 Describe the basic characteristics of the science of psychology.

2.2 Describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods set by psychologists.

2.3 Demonstrate practical skills in laboratory -based and other psychological research.

2.4 Design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions.

2.5 Frame research questions, undertake literature searches and critically analyse theoretical and empirical studies.

2.6 Formulate testable hypotheses, assess variables and choose an appropriate methodology.

2.7 Make valid and reliable measurements; analyse data, interpret results and write and present research reports.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

3.1 Apply knowledge of the scientific method in thinking about problems related to behaviour and mental processes.

3.2 Question claims that arise from myth, stereotype, pseudoscience or untested assumptions.

3.3 Recognise and defend against the major fallacies of human thinking.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

4.1 Evaluate behaviour in psychological research and other professional contexts in relation to The Board of Psychology 'Code of Ethics'.

4.2 Use information in an ethical manner by acknowledging and respecting work and intellectual property rights of others through appropriate citations in oral and written communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

5.1 Write a standard research report using the American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions.

5.2 Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats, such as debate, group discussion, presentation and for various other purposes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

6.1 Apply knowledge of legislative frameworks, including privacy and human rights.

6.2 Apply knowledge of community and carer participation in psychological intervention.

6.3 Apply knowledge of psychology, society and the workplace/influencing systems.

6.4 Describe major areas of applied psychology, such as clinical or organisational.

6.5 Demonstrate a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of science and the practice of psychology.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment has two principal purposes - a formative purpose and a summative purpose. The assessment tasks within a course may range from primarily formative to secondarily summative (integrative focus) but the overall balance of the assessment tasks must be to facilitate the learning process.

The formative purpose of assessment is to encourage an in-depth approach to learning through students' own activity and engagement with the subject.

The summative purpose of assessment is to lead to the certification of achievement or ability of students for external audiences. An important aspect of assessment is that it should develop in students the ability to independently evaluate the quality of their work.