Advanced Certificate In Psychology

Course Code	VPS011
Fee Code	AC
Number of Modules	9
Duration (approx)	900 hours

This is a good starting course for those interested in gaining insights into human behaviour, learning, and psychological health, with the added dimension of practical involvement in the workplace.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The course is comprised of 9 modules/subjects as follows:

(Each module = 100 hours).

* 2 core (compulsory) modules:

Introduction to Psychology
Aims include:

• Explain the nature and scope of psychology.
• Explain characteristics of the neurological basis of behaviour.
• Explain environmental effects on behaviour.
• Explain the differences between consciousness and perception.
• Explain the effect of personality on behaviour.
• Explain psychological development.
• Apply different techniques to motivate people.

Psychology and Counselling
Aims include:

• Identify the nature of conflict and stress and why this issue affects so many people today.
• Identify and examine behaviours that are characterised as abnormal and compare and contrast these with behaviours characterised as healthy.
• Explain social influence on individual behaviour.
• Explain social influence on group behaviour.
• Describe alternative methods of dealing with psychological problems
• Develop skills for resolving conflict.
• Develop communication skills for counselling individuals.

PLUS 6 optional (elective) modules:
(Choose any 6 from the following list):

Industrial Psychology

Educational Psychology

Sports Psychology

Child Psychology

Biopsychology I

Marketing Psychology

Conflict Management

Research Project I

* Plus: Industry experience (or Workplace Project)100 hours

BREAKDOWN OF COURSE STRUCTURE

Core Modules/Subjects
Foundation knowledge and skills are established through completion of the core unit modules.  Students will be expected to complete these modules before undertaking any of the other course components.

Elective Modules/Subjects
These allow for the development of specialised knowledge and skills. Students are expected to complete 6 elective modules.

Optional Research Project
The research project is 100 hours duration and contains 2 parts: the first part assists the student in developing research skills, whilst the second part involves carrying out a relevant research project.

Industry experience
This may be in the form of relevant work experience, industry meetings, seminars or workshops. You might choose to undertake voluntary work for an appropriate organisation.

MODULE OUTLINES

Introduction to Psychology

This course puts the student in touch with some of the most widely studied areas of psychology.

There are seven lessons in this course, as follows:

The nature & scope of Psychology

Neurological basis of behaviour

Environmental effects on behaviour

Consciousness and perception

Personality

Psychological development

Needs, drives and motivation

 
Psychology and Counselling

Successful completion of this module will develop the learner’s ability to analyse psychological processes and apply that knowledge in counselling or advisory situations.

There are seven lessons in this course, as follows:

Stress

Abnormal Behaviour

Individual Behaviour

Group Behaviour

Methods of Dealing with Abnormalities

Conflict Resolution

Interpersonal Communication Skills

Child Psychology

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the cognitive, behavioural and emotional development of children.There are twelve lessons in this module, as follows:

Introduction to Child Psychology

The Newborn Infant

States & Senses of the Infant

Learning

Emotions and Socialisation

Cognitive Development

Language Development

Intelligence

Socialisation – Part A

Morality

Sexuality

Socialisation – Part B

 
Industrial Psychology

To develop an understanding of how the psychological state of employees in the workplace, affects both their work, and their overall well being. There are ten lessons in this course, as follows:

Introduction

Understanding the Employees Thinking

Personality & Temperament

Psychological Testing

Management & Managers

The Work Environment

Motivation and Incentives

Recruitment

Social Considerations

Abnormalities and Disorders

 
Sports Psychology

Successful completion of this course/module will develop your skills and understanding of psychological principles for use in sports. There are ten lessons in this module as follows:

Introduction

Psychological Traits of Successful Athletes

Anxiety & Arousal

Motivation

Aggression

Leadership & Coaching

Team Dynamics

Special Groups

 
Educational Psychology

Successful completion of this course/module will develop an understanding of the psychological processes that occur during the act of learning. There are eight lessons in this module as follows:

Introduction –Development & Learning Theory

Behavioural Learning

Information Processing

Memory Retention & Loss

Individual Needs

Constructivist Learning

Motivation

 
Conflict Management

This course gives the student insight into conflict and looks at different techniques to deal with this sensitive subject. There are eight lessons in this course, as follows:

Conflict Management and Anger

Listening

Negotiation

Mediation

Facilitation

Balance of Power 

Discussion and Group Work

Crisis Analysis and Responses

 
Biopsychology

Successful completion of this course/module will develop your knowledge and ability to explain the link between the psychology and physiology of the body. There are seven lessons in this module as follows:

Introduction

The Senses

The Nervous System

The Endocrine System

Stress

Emotions

Consciousness

 
Marketing Psychology

Successful completion of this course/module will develop your knowledge and ability to apply an understanding of psychology to marketing. here are eight lessons in this module as follows:

People as Consumers

Market Segmentation

Internal Influences –Perception & Personality

Internal Influences –Motivation and Awareness

Social Influences –Small groups and family; social class, culture etc

Consumerism

Communication and Persuasion

Deciding to Buy

 This Advanced Certificate is accredited through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.

Duration: 100 hours

Some Sample Notes from our Psychology and Counselling Course

 

SOCIALISATION

Much of our understanding of socialisation is derived from extensive research conducted in America. It is important to recognise cultural differences when applying such knowledge.

The schooling and family structures as well as communities our children are brought up in differ considerably from one child to another. As such, children are socialised in a variety of different directions (e.g. the values developed in a rural child can be quite different to one developed in an urban child).

Conformity

The most basic form of learning is modelling or vicarious learning, where we learn by imitating the behaviour of others. Much of what a child learns is acquired by imitating the behaviour of a parent or significant other whom they love or admire. Children learn their social and gender roles through modelling, and will generally acquire their basic belief and value system through modelling and conformity (which is modelling behaviour on the behaviour of others in order to be accepted by them).

For example, it is common for a little girl to imitate her mother, turning the backyard into an imaginary kitchen and making mud pies instead of muffins. Little boys quickly learn to imitate their father’s attitudes and behaviour, and if these imitations are approved or somehow rewarded (with smiles or praise), they will be adopted as part of the child’s behaviour patterns. Although modelling is a very simple process of learning, we cannot underestimate the profound effects it has upon an individual’s behaviour for the rest of his or her life.

On a large scale, society conditions us to model our behaviour according to a certain set of norms by approving of conformity. Conformity has been defined as "a change in behaviour as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people". The “pressure”, however, is not always felt as pressure, but can come in the form of subtle rewards for behaving in certain ways, and holding certain values. It can come from repeated associations of certain behaviours with positive and desirable stimuli.

For instance, much social conditioning occurs through the media (magazines, newspapers, television), where we repeatedly see certain kinds of people associated with desirable stimuli. The obsession many have with dieting and slimming has its origins in such associations, for young men and women may believe the advertisements that show slender people receiving admirations, being loved, living happy, and successful lives (positive stimuli), as being associated with body size and weight.

Or if you are not sure if psychology is for you, why not try our Introduction to Psychology - http://www.acs.edu.au/courses/product.aspx?id=359

If you would like to see our range of psychology books, please visit - http://www.acsbookshop.com/books_productcategory.aspx?id=14

For more information on the range of careers available in psychology, have a look at - http://www.thecareersguide.com/articles.aspx?category=14

We have some interesting articles on psychology and counseling at - http://www.acs.edu.au/psychol/

 

Psychology is an increasingly popular subject for students to study. There are so many different options from which to continue after completing a psychology course. At the moment, only a small percentage of psychology graduates continue to become professional psychologists. However, as the field is expanding more and more students are becoming professionals within the field.

There are many different areas of psychology, such as educational psychology, occupational psychology, criminological and legal psychology, psychology teaching and research. Each of these fields have different careers, pay and prospects within them. Some offer full time work, others only part time. Some offer consultancy and freelance work, whilst in others the psychologist is employed.

There is some degree of overlap between specialisms, for example, clinical psychologists and educational psychologists may both work with children with mental health problems. Occupational and clinical psychologists may both work with people in prisons. Some careers also overlap with other professions, such as psychiatry and counseling.

The most common element of work within psychology is problem solving. This may be done as part of a team with other professionals.

The psychology will have to develop problem solving skills, objective data gathering, empirical methods, skills in statistical analysis, interpreting data, interviewing, computer use, experimental design, considering evidence, communicating conclusions.

For the student who wants a little more, this course includes two more elective modules than our Certificate in Pscyhology plus 100 hours of industry contact. Graduates can then proceed to our counselling qualification, the Diploma in Counselling and Psychology or a higher level qualification. This is also a good course for those working in fields that benefit from an understanding of psychology.