Honours in Psychology (AHA03-AFAPSYC40)
Applications Open on 01 July 2024 and Close on 30 September 2024
The Honours in Psychology degree is an academically-based programme aimed at providing students with a range of knowledge and skills within the field of research, as well as specialist areas of interest. In itself, the degree is highly marketable, as there is increasing demand for students with strong research knowledge and competencies within organisations. However, it also offers a potential alternative route towards both professional training and other careers in applied psychology. It does not offer registration as a psychometrist or registered counsellor.
The part-time Honours in Psychology course will run over two years and will follow a set curriculum, including the two compulsory research courses and three modules. 雷速体育_雷速体育直播s are expected to complete five (5) modules successfully in order to obtain the degree. Concurrent study in another programme is not advisable/permissible.
RESEARCH ESSAY (COMPULSORY) (PSYC4077A)
雷速体育_雷速体育直播s are required to complete a Research Essay on an approved topic, which is supervised by staff members in the department. The execution of the Research Essay follows a structured, goal-setting approach. As such, regular research seminars are held in order to monitor progress.
RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (COMPULSORY) (PSYC4076A)
This compulsory module focuses on the theory and practical use of research methods and analytic techniques in Psychology. The module integrates qualitative and quantitative research designs as a means to focus on the interpretation and critical analysis of a range of paradigms, methodologies, and practices in psychological research. Special emphasis is given to criteria of evaluation of research. Practical experience in computer-based analysis is gained in software for statistics and for qualitative analyses.
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE (PSYC4078A)
Cognitive Neuroscience has its roots in many different disciplines that study various aspects of the structure and functioning of the brain and the nervous system. Disciplines such as neurology, neuropsychology and neurophysiology focus on the anatomy of brain structures and their influence on behaviour, whereas disciplines such as cognitive psychology, cognitive neuropsychology and cognitive science focus on the functions of the brain and the mind. Recent advances in brain imaging techniques have prompted much research into the structures and functions of the brain and their effects on behaviour so that these are now being studied in a more integrated manner under the discipline of “Cognitive Neuroscience”. In this module, selected areas of human behaviour (such as memory, social and emotional functioning and executive functioning) will be studied from an integrated perspective that unites neuropsychology and cognitive psychology.
Course structure: This takes the form of weekly seminars, with the first four presented by the lecturer or a guest lecturer. The remainder of the seminars is structured as group class presentations on selected topics. There are also several “class outings”, e.g. to observe a human brain dissection and to visit a neuroimaging center.
Course assessments: There are two coursework assessments, i.e. a group seminar presentation, and an individual written paper. In addition, there are two examinations for this module – one which focuses on neuroanatomy and research methods in cognitive neuroscience, and the other which focuses on theoretical issues in the field. There is a prescribed textbook, and students are expected to read 1-2 chapters a week related to the forthcoming seminar. It is a demanding, but very interesting course.
PERSONALITY AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (PSYC4086A)
The module takes a critical focus, examining description, classification, etiological theories and intervention strategies for a range of psychological problems. The module will examine definitions of pathology and abnormality, specifically in relation to theories of normal and abnormal personality development, and critically explore dominant taxonomies of mental and psychiatric illnesses - most notably the DSM system of classification. The knowledge acquired in this field is used by clinical practitioners to understand and treat abnormal patterns of functioning.
PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS (PSYC4089A)
This module will provide students with a historical and contemporary view of several leading contemporary psychotherapeutic modalities. The course will include the major schools of psychotherapy for example: Psychoanalytic, Person Centred, Jungian, Feminist, Systemic, Cognitive-Behavioural and Narrative psychotherapy, as well as a consideration of African indigenous healing modalities. Theories of psychotherapeutic cure and the evidence for them will be explored and evaluated, as well critiques of psychotherapy. 雷速体育_雷速体育直播s will gain theoretical knowledge about principles and techniques of psychotherapy/counselling practice. The aim of this module is to extend and deepen your understanding of psychotherapy and to become familiar with contemporary debates and issues in the broad field of psychotherapy, including a critical consideration of the relevance of western psychotherapeutic modalities for the South African context. The primary aim is not to learn how to perform psychotherapy but how to think about psychotherapy in a more informed and critical manner.
APPLICATION FOR STUDY
Places on the programme are limited. Thus acceptance into the programme is competitive and is provisional upon the following criteria:
- Completion of an undergraduate degree with Psychology as a major;
- Good marks achieved at third-year Psychology level (please note that while University rules do not allow acceptance of students into the programme whose third-year average falls below 65%, attainment of a 65% average is often insufficient to be offered a place due to a high demand for places in the course);
- The principle of equity
There are two steps to the application process.
- First, all applicants will be required to make an on-line application through the Wits central applications site (雷速体育_雷速体育直播 Enrolment Centre: SENC) by following links from the following site: Click Here Those wishing to study part-time should select the part-time option (AHA03). This application requires that you upload an official copy of your academic transcript.
- Second, after the closing date, you will then be emailed a link to the Psychology Departmental application form (hosted on the RedCap platform).
You will need to click on this link and complete the form after the closing date – 30 September 2024. If you are unable to complete the application in one sitting, please save your application and return to it later. If you experience a loss of Internet connection, the link in the email can be used to navigate back to your application – responses on the most recent page reached may need to be recaptured. Please retain the email invitation until your application has been submitted. The link will no longer work once you have submitted the application (by clicking ‘Done’ on the last page), and/or after the closing date.
If you do not receive this email invitation after the closing date and you have completed the central Wits application, please send an email to selections.psychologyhonours@wits.ac.za and request the link (It is advisable to check spam/junkmail folders on a regular basis).
The online application form will ask for information relating to demographics, type of high school attended, previous tuition funding, and marks from previous/current degrees.
NB: The closing date for completing the online departmental application form will be communicated on an e-mail that will be sent after the closing date of the 30 September 2024 for proposed study in 2025.
PLEASE NOTE: Your online application to the University via the 雷速体育_雷速体育直播 Enrolment Centre (SENC) is incomplete until you have completed the departmental application form. Both forms are essential.
Application queries can be directed via telephone to Mrs Lauryne Lokothwayo (011 717 4541) or via email selections.psychologyhonours@wits.ac.za
PLEASE NOTE: It is unlikely that you will have heard yet whether or not you have been accepted into the Psychology Honours programme before the closing date for applications for financial aid. If you require financial aid, please apply for it in the event that you are accepted into the programme. You must make applications for financial aid separately to the Bursaries and Scholarship Office. Many students accepted into the Honours in Psychology programme are eligible for the Postgraduate Merit Award and we strongly recommend that any potential applicant apply for at least this award. Other sources of funding are also available – please look for these on the Financial Aid and Scholarships Administration website and apply where relevant.
THE SELECTION PROCESS AND EQUITY CRITERIA
Applicant information is collated and assessed for the selection process. Given the large number of applications into the programme, selections are based purely on scrutiny of the documentation supplied. Potential candidates should also note that because of over-subscription a large number of students who meet the faculty minimum criterion for entry into a masters’ degree (65% average for 300 level psychology courses) may not be offered a place on the programme. The selection of candidates is based on academic performance as well as consideration of equity, diversity and social redress. The weighting of these aspects is to some extent dependent upon the nature of the applicant pool in any given year. The demographic information requested in the departmental application form is collected in order to serve, in part, as a basis for evaluating applicants’ potential contributions to diversity in the course. This information also assists the selection committee to assess the applicant’s performance relative to levels of (dis)advantage. Note: The information you provide in this application may be independently audited to evaluate its accuracy. Knowingly providing false information will be grounds for permanent exclusion from all postgraduate degrees in Psychology at WITS. Selection is conducted by a small team of Psychology staff who are bound by the graduate selection policy guidelines of the School of Human and Community Development.
Based on the application review process, applicants are ranked according to marks and equity criteria. In the case of the Honours in Psychology course the top 300 applicants are then shortlisted and will receive a letter from the Department of Psychology ideally by the end of November. Applicants who had not yet completed their third year psychology modules at the time of application will be emailed in early December and asked to provide their final year marks. Non-Wits candidates will need to upload final year transcripts to their SENC online applications as soon as possible to ensure entrance into the course.
Final selection will take place in early December. Successful candidates will be sent a letter notifying them of a firm offer of a place in the programme by mid-December. Candidates who are waitlisted for places in the course will also receive a letter notifying them of their place on the waitlist and will see a ‘decision pending’ status on their online applications. Waitlisted candidates may be contacted any time between December and February. Those who have been declined places will see a ‘declined’ status.
Please note that given the large number of applicants the department will not be able to provide individual feed-back to unsuccessful candidates
雷速体育_雷速体育直播s who have been offered a place will be asked to notify the department of their availability to take up the place as soon as possible.
ORIENTATION
雷速体育_雷速体育直播s selected into the Honours in Psychology programme will need to attend an orientation week (usually) in the January of your Honours year (we will notify successful applicants of the date and details). As part of the orientation process you will be informed about the optional modules, after which you will be required to make your modules choices. Final module allocation depends on class numbers and in some instances you may only get your second choice. Modules are clustered so that only one module from each cluster can be selected. Please note that while every effort will be made to accommodate your module choices, the nature of instruction in the Honours in Psychology programme (seminars) and administrative constraints mean that we cannot guarantee that every topic will be available to every student as there is a limit to the size of each class.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR HONOURS IN PSYCHOLOGY
General Honours Queries
Mrs Lauryne Lokothwayo
011 717 4541
selections.psychologyhonours@wits.ac.za
TO APPLY
- Click Here to Complete the Online Form
- Click Here to Download the Honours application guidelines
- Click Here to download the Honours Part-Time Curriculum
- Click Here to Download the Frequently Asked Questions