Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology
Human and Social Studies - People/Human Centred Development
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose: The Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Psychology offers specialisations in two key areas identified by the Health Professions Council of South Africa for registration in the category of 'Registered Counsellor'. This program aims to equip learners with advanced knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to assessing, understanding, explaining, and developing human behavior in a multicultural context. By promoting multicultural understanding, the program contributes to equity and redress in South Africa. The college intends to seek approval from the Board of Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa to offer a post-honours internship training in Family Counselling and Pastoral Counselling to eligible students who successfully complete the Honours degree. Successful completion of the internship training allows students to write the National Board of Psychology's examination for Registered Counsellors.
Rationale: The degree program responds to the increasing need for trained and registered psychological counsellors in South Africa, focusing on psychological challenges in family life and community mental health. Integral values of the program include preparing students for advanced study in psychology, employment opportunities in psychology-related fields such as family mental health, clinical pastoral care, and education, and qualifying for an HPCSA approved internship to register as a Registered Counsellor specializing in Family Counselling and/or Pastoral Counselling.
Outcomes
- Apply critical thinking skills in the assessment and resolution of community mental health needs with a specific focus in family or clinical pastoral care contexts.
- Work effectively with other professionals in a team setting.
- Demonstrate mastery of general principles and theories underpinning family or clinical pastoral settings.
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of professional ethics in psychology and/or clinical pastoral work, with special reference to issues of statutory control.
- Demonstrate mastery of the basic concepts and conceptual framework of programme evaluation.
- Demonstrate systematic thinking about selection of techniques for various research scenarios.
- Develop comprehension of the theoretical traditions within qualitative research.
- Demonstrate the ability to execute the techniques of analysis covered in the programme.
- Explain how developmental, ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender factors affect the clinical diagnosis and conceptualisation of psychopathology.
- Develop conceptual and procedural knowledge of the descriptive nosological system that is codified in the DSM IV-TR, and the ability to use the system to diagnose the presence of mental disorders.
- Demonstrate critical thinking about the applicability of western models to the multi-cultural South African context.
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of therapeutic modalities utilised in Family of Clinical Pastoral settings.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Use an appropriate model of the causes of community health problems.
- Evaluate various responses to community health needs and motivate why a certain response would be better than others.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Show respect for the opinions and views of others within a team setting.
- Communicate one's ideas clearly.
- Accept and fulfil team responsibilities.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Grasp the general principles and theories with originality in analysis.
- Present coherent and compelling arguments.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Systematically develop an ethical response to matters pertaining to one's profession.
- Grasp statutory requirements of one's profession.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Evaluate a programme by critically applying taxonomy of evaluation.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Apply a full range of techniques used selectively to support the research scenario.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
- Grasp the general principles and theories with originality in analysis.
- Present coherent and compelling arguments.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
- Grasp the general principles and theories with originality in analysis.
- Present coherent and compelling arguments.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
- Demonstrate a full understanding of the factors that affect a clinical diagnosis.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
- Recognise diagnostic criteria for various disorders and provide a 5-axial diagnosis for a disorder.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:
- Think systematically and critically evaluate a full range of models.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:
- Systematically develop an ethical response to psychological assessment.
Integrated Assessment:
- Continuous assessment of the foundational knowledge competencies through tests, assignments and examinations.
- Continuous assessment of practical competencies through simulations, role plays and case studies.
- A critical reflection of the learners' perception of their psychological assessment knowledge, skills, strengths and limitations.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Honours Degree
- NQF Level
- 08
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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