Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology

Preamble

Regulations for the Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology degree shall apply, subject to provisions of both the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations.  University and Faculty General Regulations take precedence over programme regulations. Psychology is a science whose central theme is the study of mental processes and behaviour.  It broadly involves studying how we process our thinking systems; interact with one another and our environment.  Psychology is both an academic discipline and an applied science as it is concerned with both the generation and development of psychological knowledge as well as improving human quality of life.  To achieve these ends, psychologists work in a broad range of research and applied settings.  The study of Psychology is undoubtedly necessary and crucial particularly in developing countries like Zimbabwe, where professional psychologists generally lack, yet the need for specific psychological services is great.  The Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology is designed to provide each student with comprehensive up-to-date knowledge of the specialty areas of psychology and the methods used in psychological research. These specialty areas include clinical/health, community/social, developmental/child/aging, industrial/organisational, educational/learning/cognitive, biopsychology/ neuropsychology, counselling and legal psychology. The specialty areas provide a basis for careers in a variety of psychology related occupations such as mental health agencies, hospitals, businesses and public organisations.  The degree thus, prepares students to take up psychology related jobs in industry, education, rehabilitation, health sector, law courts and many more.  Furthermore, the degree prepares students for graduate training in fields such as Clinical, Educational, Industrial, Rehabilitation, Forensic and Counselling.

Entry Requirements

Subject to provisions of the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations for admission, the following entry requirements shall apply:

A minimum of 5 ‘O’ Level passes including English Language  and Mathematics at grade C or better , a professional qualification such as a Diploma in a related field and at least three (3) years working experience.
Or
5 “O” level passes including English and Mathematics and 2 ‘A’ Level passes in Social Science related subjects

Duration of Programme

The Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology shall take four (4) years full time to complete.  It shall be offered on a semesterised basis.

Aims of the Programme

The aims of the programme are as follows:

• To equip students with specialised theoretical, psychological knowledge and practical skills and competencies necessary for providing specific psychological services in a variety of settings;
• To adequately prepare students for effective operation and functioning in private and public sectors as well as institutions;
• To enhance and promote the development of psychology both as an academic discipline and field of scientific application relevant to diverse human needs;
• To assist students to apply acquired psychological knowledge, expertise and skills to make the life of self and others better; and,
• To help students appreciate the role of Psychology from a broad perspective.

Learning Outcomes

The programme is designed to impart the following:

• Interpersonal skills
• Coping skills
• Guidance and counselling skills
• Basic psychotherapeutic skills
• Research and publication skills
• Statistical data analysis and interpretation
• Organisational management skills
• Understanding and classifying psychological tests
• Identifying rehabilitation strategies by psychologists and other mental health professionals
• Interviewing skills
• Report writing and presentation techniques
• Understanding and differentiating psychological problems

Programme Structure

• All Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology students are expected to do a minimum total of 30 courses. To meet this requirement, students normally undertake twenty-eight courses and a project (i.e. a project is worth two courses).
• In the first year, students shall undertake ten general courses on offer. For a student to pursue Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology after the first year, he/she shall be required to pass all ten courses offered in the first year.
• In the second year, students shall do ten courses.
• In the third year, students shall go to attachment for a whole year.
• In the fourth year, students shall normally undertake eight courses. In addition, students undertake a project, which is equivalent to two courses.
• In order to proceed to register for the project, a student must have passed both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Overall, a student shall normally undertake a total minimum of twenty-eight courses plus a project (two courses).