Department of Psychology

Department of Psychology The Psychology Department offers academic and professional education and training. All students follow the foundational path in their first year. Students earn a bachelor of applied psychology degree after passing third year and a bachelor of psychology degree after passing fourth year. Students are selected for postgraduate studies on various grounds, such as academic merit, personal suitability and availability of staff and instructional resources. B. Psych (Qualification Code: (AYDEG1) This four year qualification enables students to acquire theoretical and applied psychological knowledge, competence and skill in human resource management, counselling, assessment, intervention, psycho-social problem solving, organisation and research. There is a six month internship. This practical training period during the fourth year includes focus areas such as psychometry, HIV and Aids, school and community counselling. The degree has professional accreditation. After passing the degree and a national examination set by the Professional Board for Psychology, graduates are registered as counsellors with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) after which time they may practice legally and professionally. Rules 1. General rules of the Faculty of Arts Apply 2. Departmental rules 3. Health Professions Council of South Africa rules also apply Criteria for Admission to the B.Psych. Programme are as follows: The National Senior Certificate (NSC) as certified by Umalusi, with an achievement rating of four or higher in the following subjects: mathematical literacy, life orientation, life sciences, and English language; i.e. in addition to two other subjects of your choice. YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 APSY111 APSY112 Introduction to Psychology Applied Psychology Introduces students to psychology, what it is, Introduce students to different psychological different categories and different approaches, theories and concepts which explain certain as well as its development as a science. It also psychological processes and abnormalities focuses on the relationship between human thereof such as cognition, thinking and behaviour, the brain, and the mind. reasoning, mental well-being, and APHI 111 Philosophy and Writing for the Social Sciences 1 Develops academic literacy, enabling the student to write grammatically and coherently psychological disorders APHI 112 Philosophy and Writing for the Social Science 2 Develops academic literacy enabling the student to write grammatically and coherently 1

within the context of the social sciences; particularly within the context of Freud s theories of human nature and behaviourism. This is a language-enriched module enhancing the development of the student s oral and written skills of expression. AENG121 Practical English 1 A This module introduces students to the basic skills required for academic reading and writing. Study material will be selected for relevance to the student s specific programme of study SCPS121 Computer Literacy 1 Introduces students to the personal computer. It will enable students to use the available features on an Operating System; it is also designed to instruct students in the use of Word Processors from an introductory to an advanced level. within the context of the social sciences, particularly within the context of Marxist, liberal and African accounts of justice and freedom. This is a language-enriched module enhancing the development of the student s oral and written skills of expression. AENG122 Practical English 1 B This module will develop the reading and writing skills introduced in AENG121. Study material will be relevant to the student s specific programme SCPS122 Computer Literacy 2 Introduces students to: [XLS]- Spreadsheet Skills as in Excel; [PPT]- Presentation, Creation, and Usage as in PowerPoint usage. Departments that require additional literacy courses are advised to select service courses for non-computer professionals. YEAR 2 APSY211 Social Psychology Helps students explore a new understanding of social psychology, provide a critical discussion of identities and relationships. Also encourages critical discussions of concepts, theories and research. APSY221 Personality Psychology Provides students with an understanding of a variety of personality theories. CHRM201 Foundations and Challenges of Human Resource Management This module focuses on the foundations and challenges of HRM; managing diversity; HR Planning, research and problem solving; job design and analysis; recruitment and selection; induction, motivation and retention; career management issues; performance management and appraisal; training and development; managing compensation and benefits APSY212 Introduction to Research Methodology Introduces students to elementary research concepts, methods and statistics. APSY222 Developmental Psychology Provides students with an understanding of human development. APSY232 Gender Studies/ HIV and AIDS Provides students with an understanding of gender studies and the link between gender and HIV/AIDS. 2

EPSEA2A Special Education CHRM202 Labour Law Relations in SA The second semester programme focuses on Labour Relations; - first a brief introduction to labour relations in a global context and then concentrating on labour relations in South Africa with reference to the Labour Relations Act; Employment Equity; The Basic Conditions of Employment Act; Occupational Health and Safety; Collective Bargaining and Bargaining councils; Employee participation; Trade Unions and Employee Organisations; Workplace agreements and procedures; strikes and lockouts APSY311 Research Methods and Statistics Enables students to gain knowledge and understanding of how to plan, and design a research project. It also equips students with knowledge on the implementation of the research process and reporting on the research undertaken. APSY321 Psychopathology Provides students with an understanding of psychopathology. APSY331 Psychological Assessment Introduces students to knowledge and skills required in order to conduct psychological assessments competently; taking into consideration the needs and rights of clients, as well as professional requirements, as prescribed in the scope of practice for psychologists, psychological counsellors, and psychometrists. CIPS301 Organisational Behaviour An introduction to Organisational behaviour which focuses on the foundations of individual behaviour; values, attitudes and related job YEAR 3 APSY312 Research Methods and Statistics To provide students with an understanding of various quantitative and qualitative research methods and statistics. APSY322 Therapeutic Psychology Equips students with the basic theoretical understanding of how therapy is offered to clients of different cultural and economical backgrounds. The course further introduces students to practical cases in therapy in order to prepare them for practica. APSY332 Counselling Psychology Helps students gain essential theoretical and practical skills to function effectively as community counselors CIPS312 Career Psychology The programme focuses on the meaning of work; career concepts and career management models; organisational change 3

fulfillment; decision making in organisations and concepts of teamwork and understanding work teams in an organizational context; leadership; power and politics and change management. and implications for careers; career choice and counselling; life and career stages; organisational choice; career issues and organisational career perspectives YEAR 4 APSY411 APSY412 Practical Training Practical Training APSY421 APSY422 Module : Case Reports Module : Case Reports APSY431 APSY432 Community Mental Health & HIV and AIDS Community Mental Health & HIV and AIDS EPEPA4A EPEPB4B Educational Psychology One & Two Educational Psychology Three and Four APSY441 APSY442 Research Project Research Project Dual Major B.A. with Psychology as one of the majors Please note: It is recommended that students who wish to pursue psychology or teaching as their chosen career should take the following modules; however this does not limit students to add other electives or majors as indicated below: SEMESTER 1 Introduction to Psychology (APSY111) 1 st Major English (AENG111) Computer (SCPS121) 2 nd Major Minor Elective YEAR 1 SEMESTER 2 Applied Psychology 1&2 (APSY112) - 1 st Major English (AENG112) Computer (SCPS122) 2 nd Major Minor Elective SEMESTER 1 YEAR 2 Social Psychology SEMESTER 2 (APSY211) - 1 st Major Personality Psychology (APSY221) - 1 st Major 2 nd Major One Minor Introduction to Research Methodology (APSY 212) - 1 st Major Developmental Psychology (APSY222) 1 st Major 2 nd Major One Minor 4

SEMESTER 1 Psychopathology (APSY321) -1 st Major Research Methodology (APSY311) - 1 st Major 2 nd Major 2 modules (No elective) YEAR 3 SEMESTER 2 Therapeutic Psychology (APSY322) - 1 st Major Research Methodology (APSY312) - 1 st Major 2 nd Major 2 modules (No elective) NB: A student needs to have an aggregate mark of 60% in their third year in order to be admitted to the Psychology Honours degree. Honours Course (Six 3-hour papers) Admission to the Honours course is limited to a minimum pass of 60% in Psychology 111. Candidates must select six from the under-mentioned papers. All candidates must do APS501 and APS502. Those students who wish to register as psychometricians with the Professional Board for Psychology of the South African Medical and Dental Council are required to take APS501, APS502, APS509 and either APS507 or APS508 in addition to any other two papers. APS501 APS502 APS503 APS504 APS505 APS506 APS507 APS508 APS509 Research methodology Psychopathology and social pathology Social psychology Developmental psychology Personality psychology Physiological psychology Clinical psychology Counselling psychology Psychological assessment and measurement Practical Work In order to qualify for the Honours examination a candidate shall submit a report on the prescribed work he/she has done. The report shall take the form of one or more case studies and/or research projects. Master s Degree (AMAS20) Research and applied Master s degrees are offered. For a research degree, a dissertation on an approved topic is required. Applied Master s Degree in Clinical Psychology (MA Clinical Psychology) (AMAS18) 1. The MA (Clinical Psychology) is an applied degree leading towards registration with the Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a clinical psychologist. The course is a natural extension of the honours course. Only a limited number of students can be admitted to the course. Students will be selected in terms of both academic merit and personal suitability. 5

2. The curriculum consists of three basic units: 2.1 the university coursework - APS701 2.2 a dissertation APS702 2.3 a twelve month internship 3. The university course extends over a minimum period of one academic year of full-time study. It consists of the following parts: 3.1 Theoretical part: this involves lectures and seminars in the following 3.1.1 psychopathology of individuals and groups 3.1.2 psychological assessment 3.1.3 medical psychology, neuropsychology and psychopharmacology 3.1.4 psychotherapy, including individual, marital, family and group psychotherapy 3.2 Practical part: this involves supervision and instruction in 3.2.1 therapeutic psychology 3.2.2 psychometrics 3.2.3 professional ethics, interdisciplinary function, the Mental Health Act 3.2.4 assessment and treatment of clients and patients from various agencies.. 3.3 Dissertation of approximately 15,000 words in length, excluding footnotes, tables, appendices and bibliography. This must be completed within the M1 period. The dissertation counts 50% of the final mark for the degree. 4. There is a formal examination on both theoretical and practical parts of the university course at the end of the year. Students are also required to present themselves for an oral examination (viva). 5. To pass the university course with distinction an aggregate of 75% is required. 6. Upon completion of the above course, students may apply for one year internships at various institutions accredited by the Professional Board of Psychology for the purpose of training intern clinical psychologists. 7. The degree MA (Clinical Psychology) will be awarded after the university course and dissertation has been passed. Curriculum Goals of the curriculum Consistent with the University of Zululand Mission Statement of providing community service, research, teaching and general academic excellence, the goals of this curriculum are: - to train students in accordance with the rules and regulations of the HPCSA Professional Board for Psychology and along international standards. - To introduce students to the philosophical bases of different theoretical frameworks/models of applied psychology. - To enable students to acquire knowledge, gain exposure, experience, expertise, skills and competence required for practicing as psychologist. 6

- To develop students towards acquiring an integrated personal conceptual framework and becoming autonomous practitioners capable of making informed decisions with regard to professional psychological practice. - To expose students towards a wide culturally diverse spectrum of clients, couples, families, groups and communities to develop relevant practical experience. - To produce evidence based, scientist-practitioner psychologists based on the following learning outcomes, skills and competencies. Learning outcome The essential learning outcome is the production of qualified and competent professional psychologists owing to shortage of psychologists, underdevelopment of psychological services and the great need therefore in South Africa generally. This course will assist in the prevention of social and community problems and the promotion of health, education, development and well being. Critical outcomes for this professional training include the following: - Critical outcomes - Academic quality as required by SAQA and NQF educational standards. Besides the stringent and rigorous course requirements as set out in this document, the evidence based scientist practitioner model of professional psychology requires various academic and research skills. - Personal integrity includes the social and emotional responsibility, maturity and flexibility required by the demands of professional psychological practice in multiprofessional, multidisciplinary and general community contexts. - Generalist/specialist practitioner who is able to provide both general psychological services as well as specialist services in an area of sufficient exposure, experience and expertise. Students must satisfy both dual related critical outcomes during the course of their training. - Professional knowledge as required by the HPCSA for autonomous, independent practicing psychologists. This also includes a critical and innovative approach towards this practice, ethical standards, and taking responsibility for personal and professional continuing development and education. - Community services. Critical outcomes are graduates with assessment, intervention, social pathology, organization, research and other skills especially appropriate for the culturally diverse, South African community. Skills and competencies The professional training and critical outcomes require the following five broad skill categories and their concomitant competencies - Assessment skills. These require competencies in interviewing, describing, identifying, understanding, interpreting, classifying, assessing, evaluating, 7

diagnosing, reporting, explaining and predicting human cultural and social psychological phenomena. - Interventionist skills. These require competencies in caring, helping, advising, guiding, teaching, intervening, counselling, psychotherapy, prevention, promotion and healing at developmental, individual, couple, family, group, community and general social level. - Social psychopathologist skills. These require knowledge in various forms of individual and social psychopathology and competence with regard to specific clinical, neuropsychological, psychopharmacological and other forms of intervention and problem solving. - Organizational skills. These require competencies in administration, management of professional responsibilities as well as community work e.g. advocacy, mediation, networking, consultation, leadership, multi-professional and general community collaboration. - Research skills. These require evidence based practice competencies with special reference to collecting and analyzing psychological data as well as specific competencies in conceptualization of models, theoretical frameworks, research methods and techniques. Internship This refers to the twelve month internship supervised by a registered senior psychologist at an HPCSA accredited institution. Students may choose various internships. As a general rule, a minimum of six months should be spent in a general practice or university setting, a minimum of three months in a private practice setting. Extension of internship in any setting will be approved only subject to the record of unsatisfactory progress or on medical grounds. Course requirements - Registration Students enroling for this course are required to register with the Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council. They must register each year until such time as they qualify, at which stage they will register as Psychologists. This means that they will be subject to the ethical rules of the Board at all stages of their training. It is important that students acquaint themselves with the ethical standards of practice to which they must adhere. - Examination Written and oral, continuous and terminal assessment and evaluation is conducted with formal external examination at the end of each year of training. Integrated assessment includes varying forms as required by the very nature of the papers. Students must have 8

passed papers 1 to 6 in order to continue with their doctoral programme. Students who exit after passing papers 1 to 6 will graduate with an M. Psych Degree. Continuous assessment will also include many other course requirements which include: - seminars - supervision sessions - workshop attendance by visiting lecturers - case conferences - visits to community centres - community based work The interview held at the end of the internship year will assess whether the student s performance meets the requirements set out by the Board for Psychology. Should this not be the case, s/he will be required to complete a further internship as specified by the Board for Psychology. Students are advised to start work on their thesis as soon as possible. The university calendar stipulates thesis submission criteria, dates and other relevant matters. Graduates are required to pass a national examination set by the Professional Board for Psychology before being able to practice legally and professionally as psychologists. Master s Degree in Counselling Psychology MA (Counselling Psychology) AMAS19 Admission Requirements 1 Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 2 Bachelor of Education in Educational Psychology 3 Bachelor of Education in Counselling and Guidance/Orthopedagogics 4 Personality suitability and academic merit 5 Acceptance into the MA (Counselling Psychology) programme will be conditional on an interview and previous examination results. By these means an evaluation will be made as to whether applicants have the personal qualities and qualifications required to engage in counselling and the academic ability to take the examinations, applied practical work and to do the research project for a dissertation. Students who have insufficient background at Honours or BEd levels in areas of research methodology, psychological assessment and/or equivalent of these papers will be required to do and pass these subjects for non-degree purpose (NDPS) before they are admitted to the MA (Counselling Psychology) course of study. Duration The course extends over a minimum of two years: one full-time academic year plus internship of twelve months. The curriculum consists of three basic units: 1. the university coursework - AYC701 2. a dissertation AYC702 3. a twelve month internship 9

Goals of the Curriculum Consistent with the University of Zululand mission statement of providing community services, research and academic excellence, the department of psychology and collaborative efforts of registered psychologists aim to renew their commitment to develop and empower communities, enrich the academic environment and foster excellence among students through academicallybased service initiatives. The goals of the curriculum are: (i) To train students in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Professional Board of Psychology HPCSA, along international standards. (ii) To sensitize students to the philosophical bases of different theoretical frameworks/models of counselling. (iii) To enable students to acquire knowledge about Counselling Psychology and to master skills required for practising counselling as a psychologist. (iv) To develop students towards an integrated conceptual framework. (v) To expose students to a wide spectrum of clientele and give them relevant practical experience during their training period. (vi) To produce a scientist-practitioner type of psychologist. (vii) To train students for professional and personal development, work ethics and relationships among professionals. (viii) (ix) To develop students for public relations strategies and collaborative consultation work. To develop in students strategies for promoting mental health and enhancing community life through counselling and other forms of psychological intervention. Ethical Rules and Code of Conduct Special problems in the specialities Teaching, Education, Guidance, Counselling, Psychotherapy, Psychiatry, School Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Neuropsychology, Forensic Psychology, Remediation and Prevention. Ethical codes of counselling psychologists - Obligation and rights in respect to treatment - The professional relationship: psychologist-client - Privacy and confidentiality - Therapist-client contract and malpractice - Legal responsibility of co-therapists Psychological report writing - The theory and practice of psychological report writing - The implicit contract between reader and writer - Report models and linguistic styles - Organisation and content of the report Counselling Psychology Theoretical models: approaches and framework for counselling The counselling process and procedures, counselling skills; communication skills Areas of application include the following: - Counselling with children, adolescents, young adults, adults and the elderly - Individual, couple, marital, family, group and community counselling - Career, school, pastoral, genetic, lifeline, HIV and AIDS counselling 10

- Crises intervention and counselling e.g. trauma counselling, grief counselling for persons with addictions, hostage drama, disaster, etc. - multicultural counselling - Social pathology and counselling - Single parenthood; Child battering/abuse; Street children, Family violence; Alcoholism and drug abuse; Sexual harassment and abuse; Prejudice, discrimination and respect for life and human diversity. Consultation models in counselling Life skills training Learning problems and study habits; Personal guidance and interpersonal relationship; Family and sexuality education; Understanding and respect for sexes; Good citizenship and diversity education; Preventative skills; Parent-child-rearing psychoeducation; Hospice counselling; Stress management. Psychopathology and Neuropsychology Cultural issues and counselling Traditional healing in Africa Transpersonal perspective on psychopathology Abnormal psychology: Problems of anxiety, moods, mind and body, social impact, psychosis, personality and life-span problems. The brain and central nervous system: psycho-pharmocology and major pathologies. Development and Psychometrics Life stages and developmental tasks Transition from childhood to adolescence; Early adulthood; Middle adulthood; Late adulthood. Theories of development and personality development Measurement of intelligence, personality, interests, aptitudes and career assessment Psychological assessment, evaluation and report writing Applied Practical Work During their first year of study students will be expected to do at least 15 hours of practical work per week (15x29=435 hours p.a.) The focus will be on areas of application of counselling skills as indicated on paper two of this course. A Dissertation A dissertation of approximately 15,000 words in length, excluding footnotes, tables, appendices and bibliography. The dissertation counts 50% of the final mark for the degree. Each unit in the programme constitutes 100%. Students must pass all the required examination papers at the end of their first year of study. All examination papers will also involve external examiners from other universities. The degree will be awarded after the university course has been passed. 11

Internship Students may not commence their internship until the university coursework examination papers have been passed. Students may then apply for one year internship at various institutions accredited by the Professional Board for Psychology for the purposes of training intern counselling psychologists. Master of Arts (Research Psychology) AMAS20 This is an applied Master s degree in research. The MA (Research Psychology) leads to registration as a research psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The degree equips students with advanced knowledge/research methodology required to do independent work at a doctoral level. Admission Requirements 1 Prospective candidates should have passed a paper on Research Methods at honours level. 2 Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or 3 Bachelor of Education in Educational Psychology or 4 Bachelor of Education in Counselling & Guidance/Orthopedagogics or 5 Honours degree in Industrial Psychology Duration The MA (Research Psychology) degree extends over a minimum of two years: one full-time academic year plus internship of twelve months. The curriculum consists of three basic units: 1. the university coursework - AEC701 2. a dissertation - AEC702 3. a twelve month internship Research Ethics and Professional Practice - Ethical standards relevant to the conduct of research in psychology - The ethics of social research. - The role and functions of HPCSA and PSYSSA. - The profession of psychology; the Professional Board for Psychology. - The ethical code of conduct; disciplinary powers of the Board - Registration categories and their implications in the context of area of practice. - Application of psychology in legal settings. - The professional relationship between a research psychologist and client. - Contracting and malpractice. - The right to privacy; privacy and confidentiality - Legal responsibility of supervisors and consultants - A guide to report writing I professional psychology - Psychometry and psychological assessment: intelligence, aptitude, personality, LPAD, interest, scholastic tests and inventories: application of these tests. - Ethical guidelines for research with humans and animals. - The critical evaluation of the psychometric properties of the existing measures in the South African context. 12

Test Construction Theory and Project Management Skills Principles of test construction - item formats and generalizability theory - methods of item analysis and test construction - selecting a published standardized test Determining validity and reliability of a measuring device The place of measurement in natural and social science Variables and measurement - Levels of measurement and scaling Experimental and research designs Quasi-experimental designs Sampling distribution and sampling designs Developing skills for academic scientific writing The importance of student-supervisor relationship Developing skills for creative thinking Planning Research: formulation of a research problem Writing a research proposal and guidelines for writing a dissertation or thesis Budget for a research project (budgeting plan), tenders and funding proposals Research and Marketing in industry Scientific report writing and dissemination of results Implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project Community-based research projects The practice of research in relation to: Consultance, networking and contract research Organizational Development Interpersonal and Facilitation skills Preparing for oral or viva examination Research Methods Research Approaches/Types of Research Philosophy of Science: The logic of discovery, causes and reasons, realism Data gathering techniques/questionnaires designs/instrumentation Qualitative methods of research - The logic of qualitative approaches to research - A biography or life history - A phenomenology - A grounded theory - An ethnography - A case study - Qualitative methods of research - Qualitative data analysis techniques Quantitative methods of research - Assumptions behind a wide range of quantitative methods of research - Univariate and bivariate statistical analysis techniques - Multivariate statistical analysis techniques 13

- Multiple regression analysis - Discriminant analysis - Data organization Computer Applications - Operating Systems - Hardware - Word processing - Spreadsheets - Statistical packages - Databases - Wide area network - Local area networks - E-mail and internet - Graphics Applied Practical Work During their first year of study MA (Research Psychology) students will be expected to do at least 15 hours of practical work per week (15x29=435 hours p.a.) A Dissertation A dissertation must be submitted and must comply with all the requirements as set out in the calendar of the University of Zululand Examinations Each unit in the programme constitutes 100%. Students must complete all the required examination papers at the end of their first year of study. All examination papers will also involve external examiners from other universities. Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Paper 5 Ethics and Professional Practice Test Construction Theory and Project Management Skills Research Methods Computer Applications A Dissertation for Master s degree The degree MA (Research Psychology) will be awarded after the university course has been passed and the internship satisfactorily completed. Internship Students may not commence their internship until examination papers 1 through 4 have been passed. Students may then apply for one year internship at various institutions accredited by the Professional Board for Psychology for the purpose of training intern research psychologists. 14

PHD Community Psychology (APHD20) 1. The PhD in community psychology consists of a specialized doctoral programme of studies for registered psychologists. It is offered jointly by the Psychology, Educational Psychology and Industrial Psychology Departments. A limited number of students selected in terms of academic merit and personal suitability will be admitted to the programme which extends over a minimum period of two years. The curriculum consists of three basic parts: The curriculum consists of two basic units: 1.1 the university coursework AEC801 1.2 a thesis AEC802 2. University coursework. This consists of examinations and supervised course-work in the following areas: Paper 1 African community psychology and/or community psychology in South Africa, including early older forms of community psychology, traditional healing and Afro-Christian healing. Community psychology theory, models and development e.g. in industry, education and health with special focus on rural development. Paper 2 Paper 3 Paper 4 Community psychology research methods applied in community settings. Community psychology interventions, including community and cultural counselling and individual, interpersonal, marital, family, group psychotherapy in educational, clinical, health and industrial community settings. This consists of supervised practical work in a variety of community centres and settings. The practical part is distinguishable but inseparable from the thesis and theoretical part in that the community centres and settings provide the resources, direction and context for the thesis and theoretical part. The formal requirement for completion of the practical part is the submission of a scientific paper based upon the community psychological practice. 2.2 A Thesis (Paper 5) Although it may be limited in scope and length the thesis satisfies all the academic requirements of a PhD thesis. 3. The two parts; thesis and coursework each carry equal weight. Candidates must pass both parts before the degree PhD (Community Psychology) is conferred. 15