Psychology @ Unisa (part I): Introduction

There is great diversity in the field of psychology. On the continent of Africa, psychology still has much to explore and to research. Unisa is in a unique position to facilitate such exploration as its teaching extends beyond South Africa’s borders. The prospect of contributing to psychological knowledge from an African perspective in all its diverse forms remains an inspiring challenge.

Most psychology students are aware of the therapeutic side of psychology as a prospective career direction. You may feel anxious at the start of your studies when a guarantee that you will be accepted into a professional training programme (at Master’s level) cannot be provided. Fixated on the idea that only professional psychologists are employed meaningfully, you might limit your career investigations as well as your creative abilities to turn a psychology background into a career.

According to the American Psychological Association (2003), the study of psychology is a good preparation for a variety of professions. A number of employers are interested in the skills that Psychology majors can bring to collecting, analysing and interpreting data. All Unisa’s Psychology and Industrial and Organisational Psychology undergraduate modules as well as postgraduate papers could be listed to demonstrate their usefulness in developing skills in the work place. Postgraduate courses in Educational Psychology lead to various job possibilities in the fields of guidance and training.

The question to a Unisa student of psychology at undergraduate and postgraduate level is: how innovative can you be at turning your academic studies into a satisfying career while meeting the needs of the South African community and the Pan-African community in general?

The Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) can revise the requirements for psychological training and registration in the various categories of becoming a professional counsellor or psychologist. Currently, training for all categories must have certain generic psychological content, but aspects of the training content, as well as professional registration is still practice specific, for example, as a clinical, educational, research or industrial psychologist.

To become a registered counsellor, selected students must have completed the BPsych or BPsych equivalence programme. To register as a psychologist in one of the practice fields, selected students must complete a course-work Master’s programme that will provide exposure to specified content and practice areas. In both cases, an examination administered by the Board for Psychology must be passed. Doctoral degrees can be completed as advanced academic qualifications or to specialise, for example example, the doctoral degree in Consulting Psychology.

Why Psychology?

It is helpful to reflect on where your interest in psychology comes from and where you hope to be in the future. This activity will be useful for you to complete whether you are a current or prospective psychology student.

• Why are you interested in studying psychology?
• Where does your interest come from?
• Where are you hoping to be in five years’ time? In ten years’ time?
• Is psychology the only option in terms of realising your career vision and goals?

Next post: Where are you now with your career planning?