Bachelor of Education Honours in Psychology of Education
Education, Training and Development - Schooling
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The Bachelor of Education Honours in Psychology of Education is intended to prepare learners for research-based postgraduate studies in Psychology of Education. It serves to consolidate and deepen a learner's knowledge of Psychology of Education and to develop research capacity in its methodology and techniques. The curriculum package for the qualification includes modules on theories of Psychology of Education, research methods, and a research project. This qualification demands learners to develop a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence in research with the support of qualified academic staff. High-level educational knowledge and research skills are important for national, regional, and international needs as educators with postgraduate qualifications are in high demand due to their specialization. Upon completion of the qualification, the qualifying learners will develop the following competencies:
- Identify complex problems and offer solutions through critical and innovative thinking, responsible and independent problem-solving, and the application of basic and advanced scientific methods.
- Evaluate and apply research knowledge, specialized and theoretical knowledge and skills to address complex and challenging problems within the Psychology of Education field.
- Develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of Psychology of Education.
- Engage critically with a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual enhancement in Psychology of Education.
- Develop a systematic survey of current thinking, practice, and research methods in Psychology of Education as well as their application to educational settings.
- Conduct research projects and report on research under the supervision of competent and qualified academic staff.
Rationale:
South Africa and the Southern African region need highly qualified and professionally grounded educators in both the basic and higher education sectors. The qualification will provide an opportunity for learners who wish to develop their capacity in research knowledge and skills in Psychology of Education for investigation and application to various challenges requiring counseling services. Schools in South Africa lack professionally qualified counselors for learners and teachers, yet there are situations such as bullying, bereavements, school violence, and career choices in schools. This qualification aims to bridge the existing gap in these areas.
The qualification aligns with the National Framework for Human Resources for Health in South Africa and responds to the psychological needs and care of the South African population in diverse contexts. It aims to produce competent, ethical, and professional practitioners who will meet the needs of South Africa in providing primary psychological services in diverse settings to enhance the psychological well-being of the public.
Graduates with this qualification will have the academic understanding and skills to provide career guidance within the school community. The aim is to train educational-psychological counselors who comply with the academic and practical requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa in the registration category of Registered Generic Counsellor within a school context. Qualifying learners may further their studies at the Master's and Doctoral levels, contributing to research capacity in higher education and responding to societal needs in the field of education.
Graduates will contribute to society in various roles such as educators, educational analysts, school counselors, Heads of departments, and school managers. Career options include roles in education research, administration, instruction, working with learners with learning barriers, school education specialists/supervisors, learning assessment researchers/developers, and school principals.
Outcomes
- Ability to compile and demonstrate an understanding of specialist knowledge, engage with and critique current literature on practices in the field of specialisation.
- Ability to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing, and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the field of specialisation and an understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within a specialised context.
- Demonstrate the ability to design and implement strategies for the processing and management of information, to conduct a comprehensive review of current research in specialisation to produce significant insights that can be applied to teaching and learning settings.
- Ability to develop original or own learning strategies, through the compilation of a research project, which sustains independent learning, academic and professional development, interact effectively within the learning or professional group as a means of enhancing advanced knowledge and learning skills.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Investigate, identify, understand, and explain relevant and appropriate terms, concepts, theories, principles in the psychology of education.
- Distinguish and demarcate the scope of knowledge in the discipline of the psychology of education.
- Integrate and apply knowledge to educational contexts.
- Follow and explain current theoretical arguments, developments, views, and literature in the psychology of education.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Critically analyse theoretical arguments in the psychology of education.
- Contextualise the analysis to practical education and school settings.
- Apply gathered specialized knowledge as interventions to different educational settings.
- Justify arguments using specialized knowledge in the psychology of education.
- Provide solutions or interventions to education stakeholders on creating an accommodating school environment.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Search and identify a relevant research problem and topic through a literature search in psychology of education sources.
- Process and organize information using current literature and research into meaningful units.
- Come up with insightful suggestions to improve understanding by school-based education stakeholders.
- Demonstrate capacity to organize researched knowledge and information to build a logical argument applicable in inclusive education.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Identify a suitable and researchable research problem.
- Design research objectives, questions, relevant literature review, and research process.
- Critically review varied sources such as journals, e-books, statistical data.
- Present a logical argument from gathered data.
- Compile a logical research argument into a mini dissertation in psychology of education based on an outlined format.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.