Applied Psychology is one of the most dynamic areas in the contemporary academic and occupational setting. A bachelor of Applied Psychology provides a student with in-depth knowledge of psychological theory as well as the tools to apply it in practice. This course can make a great introduction to learning about human behaviour and helping others, or even a further career choice in mental health, organisational behaviour, or counselling.

So, in this blog, we are going to discuss the core and elective courses of a normal B.A. Honours in applied psychology degree core and electives that you will study throughout your undergraduate life.

What is a BA Hons in Applied Psychology?

The Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Applied Psychology is a graduate course of study that spans over a three-year curriculum and is aimed at imparting knowledge on the scientific nature of psychology and its relevance in practical terms as applied in the fields of healthcare, academic institutions, corporate, and social service scenarios.

In comparison with general studies of psychology, which concentrate more on theory, applied psychology centres its attention on practical methods of problem-solving in real-life situations. Students are taught to evaluate individual and group behaviour, gain knowledge on how the mind works and apply intervention measures.

Major Areas of BA Hons Applied Psychology

A semester-based curriculum prevails in most of the universities where the BA Hons applied psychology subjects are gradually built into basic and advanced subjects. Some of the main topics that are generally covered are given below:

1. Psychology

The subject forms the basis of learning about the fundamentals of human behaviour, perception, memory, emotion, and learning. It prepares a basis for future research on both theoretical and applied levels.

2. Biopsychology

Biopsychology deals with the biological basis of behaviour. It largely revolves around how the brain, the nervous system, hormones and genetics affect what we do and think..

3. Developmental Psychology

Human growth and development are learned throughout the entire existence of a human being, starting in childhood and well into adulthood. It studies emotional, social and cognitive growth, and has straightforward uses in education and caregiving.

4. Abnormal Psychology

This topic deals with psychological disorders, their signs, causes, and solutions. It gives students an insight into mental illness and the basics of clinical diagnosis.

5. Social Psychology

This field discusses the impact of others on individuals, and the experiences include collective actions, attitude development, prejudice, conformity, and relations between people.

6. Psychology Research Methods

Psychology runs on research. This course teaches our students to conduct experimentation, design experiments, gather data, and make analyses and interpretations. It also encompasses statistical methods that are popular in the study of psychology.

7. Psychological Testing and Assessment

Students are taught techniques of administering, scoring, and interpreting psychological tests. These are intelligence, personality inventories, and aptitude testing.

Elective and Practical Subjects

Besides main subjects, students, as a rule, have a chance to select electives which may relate to their occupational preferences.

●        Organisational Psychology

The topic dwells on workplace behaviour, employee motivation, leadership and HR practices. It is quite helpful, especially to those wishing to join the corporate/HR profession.

●        Health Psychology

In this case, students learn the effects of psychological principles on physical health, the prevention of illnesses, and the promotion of health.

●        Counseling Psychology

This provides real-life practice on the skills of therapy, i.e. the listening skills, developing empathy, and ethical frameworks of counselling.

●        Forensic Psychology

It is a dynamic branch that applies the elements of psychology to legal and criminal processes. Among these are criminal profiling, eyewitness testimony and juvenile delinquency.

●        Field Work and Internships

The majority of programs also comprise internship or field project work in clinical, educational, or organisational contexts. On-the-job training is critical to professional development.

Final Year Project or Dissertation

During the senior year, the learner may be expected to complete a research project or, more prominently, a dissertation, in which the student completes an independent study as guided by a faculty member. This gives the students the ability to research a subject matter of his/her choice and develop a thorough understanding of a certain psychological problem.

Opportunities in a Career After BA Hons Applied Psychology

Roles that the graduates could follow include:

●        Rehabilitation professional

●        An HR executive or an organisational behaviour analyst

●        Educational councilor

●        Research assistant

●        Rehabilitation professional

Other courses, such as MA/MSc in Psychology, Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, or Ph.D., are also common among the graduates who want to specialise or undertake their work in clinics.

Conclusion

BA Hons in Applied Psychology is not your ordinary degree; it is like a ride into the mind and behaviours with an implication to the real world. The topics discussed throughout this course offer an excellent foundation for careers and a postgraduate curriculum due to their enriching mixture of theory, research, and practice. Applied psychology leads to various challenging opportunities in the corporate world, in the field of education, in the mental health sector, and in research.