Bachelor of Science in Psychology Honours Degree
Overview
PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME
- To capacitate students with the requisite skills and techniques required in the profession of Counselling Psychology.
- To produce graduates who can effectively offer counselling services to clients with diverse psycho-social challenges.
- To instil in students the ability to promote a sense of general wellbeing of individuals and groups through making accurate assessments, and offering appropriate counselling skills and techniques.
- To produce graduates who can create positive relationships with clients and others in the helping profession.
- To instil in students the ability for critical thinking required to apply theories of counselling and methods in addressing psychosocial problems.
- To produce graduates who are ethically and socially responsible.
- To mould and produce graduates who can effectively independently conduct research, write, present, and communicate findings to others.
- To increase the provision of mental health services by equipping graduates with skills which prepare them to later open/operate counselling centres in schools and communities.
- To facilitate placement of graduates with university-linked industrial parks.
Entry Requirements
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
For all pathways, candidates must have at least five Ordinary Level subjects/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better.
Normal Entry: At least 5 ‘O’ Level passes/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better, plus a minimum of any 2 “A” Level passes or relevant National Certificate.
| Special Entry: A relevant certificate/diploma in line with ZNQF. | |
| Mature Entry: At least 5 ‘O’ Level passes including English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better. Candidates must be at least 25 years of age and have a minimum of 3 years of working experience in a Psychology-related field in which they must be employed. Be a holder of a relevant professional certificate. |
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION
Careers: Academic counsellors, Career counsellors, Marriage and family counsellors,
Mental health counsellors, Substance abuse counsellors, Child and adolescents
Counsellors, Grief counsellors, and Rehabilitation Counsellors.
Further Education: Master’s programmes in Counselling Psychology; Postgraduate studies in Counselling Psychology
Programme Structure
10. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
| Level 1 Semester 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| HCP 131: Introduction to Counselling Psychology | 12 |
| PSY 132: Introduction to Psychology | 12 |
| PSY 133: Introduction to Social Psychology | 12 |
| HCS 135: Introduction to Information Technology | 12 |
| CS 131: Communication Skills | 12 |
| Level 1 Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| HCP 132: Multicultural Issues in Counselling | 12 |
| HCP 133: Selected Theories in Counselling | 12 |
| PSY 135: Psychology Concepts, Methods and Applications | 12 |
| PSY 136: Contemporary and Applied Social Psychology | 12 |
| PSY 137: Psychology of Counselling | 12 |
| Level 2 Semester 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| PSY 231: Psychobiology | 12 |
| PSY 233: Principles of Learning | 12 |
| PSY 234: Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics | 12 |
| GSSS 201: Gender Studies for Social Sciences | 12 |
| ENT 235: Entrepreneurship | 12 |
| Level 2 Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| HCP 231: Practicum | 12 |
| HCP 232: Childhood, Adolescence & Adulthood Development | 12 |
| PSY 238: Personality | 12 |
| PSY 239: Cognitive Psychology | 12 |
| PSY 240: Ethics and Professional Practice | 12 |
| Level 3 Semester 1 (Work-Related Learning) | Credits |
|---|---|
| HCP 330: Work-Related Learning Placement Report | 40 |
| Level 3 Semester 2 (Work-Related Learning) | Credits |
|---|---|
| HCP 331: Work-Related Learning Report | 30 |
| HCP 332: Academic Supervisor’s Report | 20 |
| HCP 333: Employer’s Assessment Report | 30 |
| Level 4 Semester 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| PSY 431: Psychopathology | 12 |
| PSY 432: Psychometrics | 12 |
| PSY 434: Educational Psychology | 12 |
| PSY 435: Health Psychology | 12 |
| PSY 436: Neuropsychology | 12 |
| Level 4 Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| HCP 431: Gender Issues in Counselling | 12 |
| HCP 432: Lifespan Development Counselling | 12 |
| PSY 438: Principles of Psychotherapy | 12 |
| PSY 439: Contemporary-Critical Psychology | 12 |
| HCP 433: Dissertation | 24 |
| Total Credits | 492 |
MODULE SYNOPSES
HCP 131 Introduction to Counselling Psychology
The module introduces students to Counselling Psychology as a broad and diverse discipline within mental health care. The requisite key concepts prepare them to facilitate personal and interpersonal functioning across the human life span. Students’ attention is also drawn to diverse issues that require counselling and these are inclusive of emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organisational concerns.
PSY 132 Introduction to Psychology
The module introduces students to the richness and diversity of Psychology’s fundamental principles, theories, concepts and findings, and equips them with tools necessary for the study of human behaviour and mental processes. Major domains of Psychology as a discipline are also explored on the basis of classic studies, and of current and emerging research, including reference to the DSM-5 in discussions of psychological disorders.
PSY 133 Introduction to Social Psychology
The module covers: the nature and causes of individual/group behaviour and thought processes in social settings; The way people think about, feel, and behave, and how they influence and are influenced by others; perspectives, empirical research methods, and findings; Impression-formation, conformity, prosocial behaviour, interpersonal attraction, persuasion, stereotyping, prejudice; analysis of theory and research in Social Psychology.
HCS 135 Introduction to Information Technology
Refer to the Department of Information Systems.
CS 131 Communication Skills
Refer to the Department of Communication Skills.
HCP 132 Multicultural Issues in Counselling
This module characterizes the counselling practice that offers effective interventions to culturally diverse clients/contexts regarding race, ethnicity, and culture all of which influence one’s identity, mental health, relational and personal issues and life circumstances. Other related factors of mental health are gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, disability, special populations, the marginalised and religion. The module grooms students to be culturally- competent counsellors.
HCP 133 Selected Theories in Counselling
The module introduces students to theories in counselling and their applicability to various psychosocial issues and populations. Topics covered include theories considered are psychoanalytic, behavioural, humanistic and cognitive; assumptions of the theories and their relevance in counselling; theory-driven practice; analyses of the theories to help determine appropriate ones for various problems and the eclectic approach.
PSY 135 Psychology Concepts, Methods and Applications
This module builds on the Introduction to Psychology module. Covered concepts, theories and methods augment the central themes and controversies of the discipline acquired earlier. This provides students with an understanding of the human mind and behaviour. Also examined are the psychodynamic perspective, humanism, post-modernism, personality, intelligence, and mental and behavioural issues. In workshop teams, students debate on raised issues.
PSY 136 Contemporary and Applied Social Psychology
The module focuses on challenges addressed by Social Psychology. Topics include ttitudes and attitude change; prejudice, discrimination; aggression, conflict, conflict resolution; group behaviour; Social Psychology in politics, law and health; tendency to conform to social norms; applied studies; application of Social Psychology basic principles to find, and understand, interpret and use more specialized, and applied research findings.
PSY 137 Psychology of Counselling
This module provides an overview of Counselling with emphasis on the need, role, qualities, relationship-building and ethical practice. Students are introduced to counselling and therapeutic theories, focusing on their tenets and applicability to child adolescence, couples, careers, drug abuse, couples and special populations. They analyse role-plays and explore counselling skills, techniques and process models that guide counselling.
PSY 231 Psychobiology
The module is on how biological processes influence human behaviour and mental functioning. It equips students with knowledge genetics and the role of various body systems such as the nervous and endocrine systems in behaviour; the organisation, function and role of homeostatic organs in behaviour; and the human anatomy in explaining behaviours.
PSY 233 Principles of Learning
The module focuses on students’ mastery of critical and creative thinking. Topics include principles of learning, conditioning, motivation, memory, and associated neurobiological mechanisms; integration of principles with a socio-psychobiological context to explain and analyse (ab) normal behaviour; appropriate terminology used in explaining how the principles were arrived at from experimental studies.
PSY 234 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics
The module introduces students to qualitative and quantitative paradigms/approaches and to respective methods. It gives students an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the use of statistical tables and formulae in analysing and interpreting research data. It also exposes students to the association of variables, regression and prediction, statistical inferences and hypothesis-testing, Chi-square (x2) and analysis of variance (ANOVA).
GSSS 201 Gender Studies for Social Sciences
This Gender Studies for Social Sciences 201 (GSSS201) module is an introductory module focused on giving students a broad understanding of the discipline of Gender Studies, its subject matter, key issues and concepts. It is designed to help students develop a critical understanding of basic gender issues as well as prepare them to be agents of change, particularly in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe. In so doing GSSS201 adopts an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach that takes as its subject matter all aspects of the human experience in a gendered world, viewing gender as a field of study, analytical tool and a social phenomenon structuring the social world itself.
ENT 235 Entrepreneurship
Refer to the Department of Entrepreneurship
HCP 231 Practicum
The module provides an opportunity for students to observe counselling sessions conducted by professional/qualified counsellors, who mentor them by conducting counselling sessions in their presence. In this way, students have a feel and an appreciation of the counselling process. On the basis of their observations, students produce a portfolio/report at the end of the semester following the given guidelines.
HCP 232 Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood Development
The module provides knowledge on developmental theories and age-related changes in the human lifespan. Emphasis is on holistic development in all developmental domains; effects of attachment patterns and parenting styles on behavioural outcomes, and children’s rights; effects of body changes, peer relationships, and initiations in adolescence; theories of career choices; midlife crises; theories of ageing, developmental challenges and old age home life.
PSY 238 Personality
This module covers personality and motivation theories for students to gain an appreciation of approaches that can be considered in conceptualising personalities. Topics covered include an overview of Personality Psychology; basic assumptions of human nature; perspectives of personality, including the psychodynamic, dispositional, learning, behavioural and the humanistic-existential perspectives.
PSY 239 Cognitive Psychology
The module provides students with an understanding of how humans organize and interpret information to produce a conscious experience of objects, events, situations and people. Topics include: Perception, attention, accommodation, assimilation, information processing, memory, language and thought processes. The module also explores ways by which cognition is utilised by humans in an attempt to ensure continued survival.
PSY 240 Ethics and Professional Practice
Students are oriented on: Professional Psychological Assessment and Psychotherapist identity; Ethical, legal and professional codes of conduct; The Health Professions Act Chapter 27: 19 and the requisite Mandate; Safe, acceptable practice; Professional issues associated with risk in working with clients in diverse settings/circumstances; Individual and team-based service models; Communication and implications on practice; Intern supervisee-supervisor relationships.
HCP330 Work-Related Learning Placement Report
The students will submit a comprehensive work placement report which shows their understanding of the organisation placed.
HCP331 Work-Related Learning Report
As part of the examination, the students will be required to submit a comprehensive academic report of their work-related learning experience to the department and it will be marked and awarded a mark that will be ratified by the departmental examinations board.
HCP332 Work-Related Academic Supervisor’s Report
As part of the examination, the students will be assessed and awarded a mark by the academic supervisor and this will be presented to the departmental examinations board for processing of final marks.
HCP333 Work-Related Learning Supervisor’s Report
The employer will assess the student and award a mark which will be presented to the departmental
examinations board for processing of final marks.
PSY 431 Psychopathology
This is a study of mental disorders. Concepts covered include the scientific study of the disorders, with a focus on their genetic, biological, psychological, and social causes, and respective symptoms. Students analyse symptoms to correctly classify the disorders so as to prescribe appropriate interventions.
PSY 432 Psychometrics
The module provides students with a grounding in the comprehension and application of psychometric tests, related theories, the nature and essence of psychometrics, test construction and use, and enhancement of effectiveness. Topics covered are methods of observing and measuring human behaviour; psychometric assessment methods and practice; testing principles of validity, reliability, standardization and on adopting/ adapting tests.
PSY 434 Educational Psychology
The module covers themes on general and specific learning, and socio-emotional difficulties in educational settings. It illustrates and integrates problems of learners with disabilities with the use of respective special teaching-learning methods. Also covered are case studies, surveys and consultations with education specialists, rehabilitation workers and other relevant pedagogy. Learners covered in this module range from kindergarten up to university students.
PSY 435 Health Psychology
This is an introduction to Health Psychology which examines the psychosocial impact of health, illness, and disability on individuals/family/society. Topics covered are the biopsychosocial approach to Health Psychology; Health beliefs, attitudes and behaviour; Patient-practitioner relationships; Chronic and terminal illnesses; Health promotion in local cultural contexts, on policy and health-provision in Zimbabwe; Planning and evaluating interventions.
PSY 436 Neuropsychology
The module exposes students to the anatomy, physiology and biology of the central nervous system which underlies human behaviour and mental processes. Topics covered include: Genetic, hormonal and functional systems; Examination of the interface between Psychology, Neurology and Psychiatry in relation to the psychological effects of brain lesions, trauma, toxicology and various forms of mental under-development
HCP 431 Gender Issues in Counselling
The module explores gender-related issues and the required counsellor sensitivity. An analysis of local perceptions on the meaning of gender is given to bring students into the appropriate context of counselling, poverty, research and other issues such as HIV/AIDS. Topics covered includemplications of gender issues e. g. stereotyping, socialization and imbalances; their impact; evaluation of theories on gender; gender configuration, and mitigation; analysis of gender mainstreaming.
HCP 432 Lifespan Development Counselling
The module is on theory-based counselling across the human lifespan. It builds on concepts previously covered in the module Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood Development to enable age-appropriate counselling. The aim is to promote effective counselling.
PSY 438 Principles of Psychotherapy
The module acquaints students with major approaches, namely the Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Person-centred, Rational-emotive, Humanistic, and Behavioural. It also explores: Current issues/practices in psychotherapy, emotional, relational, behavioural and cognitive mechanisms of change, and empirical evidence for psycho-therapeutic processes; Emotion regulation, cultural competency, therapeutic boundaries, principles, philosophy, tenets of the approaches, and therapist self-care
PSY 439 Contemporary-Critical Psychology
The module examines the implications of debates between mainstream and critical approaches to psychology; philosophical foundations from Foucault and the analysis of bio-power, Derrida on deconstruction and Mbembe and the post-colony. Implications of the challenges are examined in relation to Mkhize, Burman and Gergen, and others. Attention is on relationships between critical theory and qualitative research methodologies in Health Psychology.
HCP 433 Dissertation
Students identify psychosocial problems and conduct research to address them. They apply previously taught research concepts and statistical skills, conceptualize ideas, review relevant literature, use appropriate methods/tools, collect, present, analyse and interpret data from which they draw conclusions and suggest recommendations. Under the guidance of a lecturer in the Department, students pursue a study on a relevant topic of their interest.