LET'S KNOW ABOUT PSYCHOLOGY?
What is Psychology Course
As stated above, Psychology is a vast course and it can be divided into several specialisations. The degree is offered in both Arts as well as Science streams. Few colleges offer a five-year Integrated course in Psychology. The duration of the Psychology course varies according to the programme level (undergraduate or postgraduate) and type (full-time, part-time, certificate, etc.). For a full-time programme, the UG level programmes are of three years duration whereas the PG programmes are of two years duration. The pedagogy of Psychology courses involves both theory as well as practical lessons.
Psychology Course Highlights
The below table enlists the key features of Psychology courses.
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Level | Graduation, Post Graduation, MPhil, Doctoral |
Course Duration | Graduation – 3 Years Post Graduation – 2 Years MPhil – 1-2 Years Doctoral – 3 Years |
Eligibility | Graduation – Should have passed class 12 from a recognised board and secured a minimum of 50% Post Graduation – Should have graduated from a recognised board and secured a minimum of 45% |
Admission Process | For admission, universities generally conduct entrance exams and interviews |
Psychology Courses Eligibility and Entrance Exams
Take a look at the eligibility criteria for Psychology courses as per the level of study.
Eligibility for UG Psychology courses:
Candidates should have appeared or passed the Class 12 Board exam or equivalent education from the state/national education board in India.
- Applicants should secure a minimum 50 per cent aggregate in the Class 12 Board exam.
Candidates from all streams i.e. Arts, Science or Commerce are eligible for admission to Psychology courses.
Different colleges/Institutes for psychology courses may have their own set of eligibility criteria.
Eligibility for PG Psychology courses:
Candidates who have completed Bachelor’s degree in Psychology as the main subject are eligible to get admission in this course.
The final year papers/subjects should include Psychology as the main subject for calculating aggregate marks.
Candidates appearing for the final year examination of their bachelor’s degree are also eligible.
Top Entrance Exams for Psychology Courses
The top entrance exams for Psychology courses are as follows:
- Manipal Univesity Online Entrance Test (MU-OET)
- BHU Postgraduate Entrance Test (BHU PET)
- Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET)
- Central University Entrance Test (CUET)
- JMI Entrance Exam
- Jammu University Entrance Test (JUET)
The candidates planning to pursue a course in Psychology must know that there are different specialisations of Psychology courses. There are different types of programmes that offer Psychology courses, along with various specialities which students can take up in the field of Psychology. Some of the most opted psychology courses are as follows:
- Clinical Psychology
- Counselling Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Health Psychology
Types of Psychology Programmes
Studying a similar subject as Sociology or Anthropology might help those who are planning to apply for a course in Psychology. Universities and colleges generally set criteria to make sure that the candidates applying are eligible before being offered admission. The types of Psychology courses are as follows:
Bachelor Courses | |
|---|---|
BSc in Psychology | BA (Hons in Psychology |
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology | |
Integrated Course | |
Integrated Course in Psychology (BA + MA or BSc + MSc) | |
Master’s Courses | |
Master of Arts (MA) in Psychology | Master of Arts (MA) in Applied Psychology |
Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology | MSc in Psychology |
Doctoral Course | |
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology | MPhil in Psychology |
Skills required for Psychology
In order to pursue a particular psychology course, candidates need to have the required skill set to be successful in the field. Some of these required skills are as follows:
- Analytical ability
- Verbal and written communication
- Patience
- Passionate
- Compassionate
- Agility
- Interpersonal skills
- Research skills
- Leadership qualities
- Knowledge of human behaviour
- Observant
- Pragmatic
- Problem-solving ability
Top Colleges Offering Psychology Courses
The following table brings the list of top colleges offering Psychology courses in India:
College | Course | Duration |
|---|---|---|
Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi | BA (Hons.) in Psychology | 3 years |
Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi | BA (Hons.) in Psychology | 3 years |
Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi | BA (Hons.) in Psychology | 3 years |
Bethune College, Kolkata | BSc (Hons.) in Psychology | 3 years |
St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore | BA in Psychology | 3 years |
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore | BA in Psychology | 3 years |
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | MA in Psychology | 2 years |
UniPune (Pune University), Pune | MA in Psychology | 2 years |
Fergusson College, Pune | MA in Psychology | 2 years |
Calcutta University, Kolkata | Msc in Psychology | 2 years |
Central University, Karnataka | Integrated Msc in Psychology | 5 years |
Psychology Syllabus or Course Curriculum
The semester-wise syllabus or course curriculum for the Psychology courses for both UG and PG levels are given in the tables below.
Psychology Syllabus for UG Courses
The undergraduate Psychology courses are divided into six semesters. The semester-wise course curriculum is given in the table below.
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Psychology | Biopsychology |
| Statistical Methods for Psychological Research | Nature and Methods of Physiological Psychology |
| Stress and Wellbeing | Memory |
| Attention and Perception | Psychology of Individual Differences |
| Motivation | Learning |
| Emotions | Cognition |
| Intelligence and Creativity | Endocrine System |
| — | Nervous System |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Development of Psychological Thought | Understanding Psychological Disorders |
| Psychological Research | Statistical Methods of Psychological Research |
| Social Psychology | Applied Social Psychology |
| Experimental and Non-Experimental Research | Emotional and Social Development |
| Hypothesis | Social and Cultural Context in Human Development |
| Non-parametric and Parametric Statistics | Problems and Issues of Human Development |
| Observation, Interview Methods | Development Concerns during Adolescence, Early Youth and Adulthood |
| Problem and Variables | |
| Application of Measure of Central Tendencies and Variability | |
| Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis | |
| Semester V | Semester VI |
| Understanding and Dealing with Psychological Behaviours | Organisational Behaviour |
| Development Psychology | Social change and community participation |
| Stages of Lifespan Development | Counselling Psychology |
| Prejudice and Discrimination | Psychological Approaches to the Environment |
| Inter-group Conflict | Social Perception |
| Cultural Psychology | Social Ecology and Community Psychology |
| Self in Psychoanalysis | Types of Psychological Tests |
| Theoretical and Methodological Issues in Self and Personality | Personality Analysis |
Parameters of Assessment, Psychological Scaling; Methods of Scaling | |
Assessment of Psychopathological Behaviour
|
Psychology Syllabus for PG Courses
The postgraduate Psychology courses are divided into four semesters. The semester-wise course curriculum is given in the table below.
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| Principles of Psychology | Cognitive Psychology |
| Psychology of LifeSpan Development | Psychopathology |
| Physiological Psychology | Psychological Testing |
| Research Methodology | Psychological testing practicals |
| Personality | Cognitive Psychology practicals |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| Social Psychology | Clinical Psychology |
| Organisational Behaviour | Projects |
| Counselling Psychology | Case Studies |
| Health Psychology | |
| Psychological Assessment |
Career in Psychology
To make a career in the field of psychology, students need to first have the intrinsic characteristics mentioned above. The higher the degree a person has, the better their career options are. In the field of Psychology, theory and practicals go hand in hand and with the demand growing for practitioners, a career in Psychology is highly rewarding. Psychologists can work as counsellors at universities, hospitals, schools, clinics, government agencies etc. Owing to ever-rising psychological problems in society, the need for professional psychologists is in high demand these days.
Psychology Job Profiles
Some of the job profiles are given below:
- Psychotherapist
- Counsellor
- Consultant
- Clinical Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Social Worker
- Therapist
- Practitioner
FAQs Related to Psychology
Q. What is the average salary of a psychologist in India?
Q. Can a Commerce student take up BA in Psychology after Class 12?
Q. What does one learn in Psychology?
| Criminology | Forensic Science |
| Sociology | Social Anthropology |
| Philosophy | Biology |
| Zoology | Childhood studies |
| HR management | Social History |
Q. Is psychology difficult to study?
Q. If I have done my BSc in Biology, can I do my master’s in psychology?
Q. What is the duration of Psychology courses?
Q. Is it necessary to study Science in Class 12 to pursue higher education in Psychology?
Q. Is Mathematics a part of the Psychology curriculum?
Q. Is it necessary to do internships to successfully complete graduation in Psychology?
