Last Updated on July 29, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar
Hi readers! In this article, we will have an in-depth analysis of BA in Psychology course. It is an ideal UG Degree program for psychology enthusiasts. This article covers important details about the course such as – duration, eligibility criteria, fees, colleges, syllabus, career prospects, PG courses and scope.
BA in Psychology is an undergraduate level Bachelor’s Degree program. Students who have passed 12th standard (any stream) are eligible to pursue this course. Here is an overview of the course –
- Name of the course – BA in Psychology
- Type of course – UG Degree
- Duration – 3 years
- Eligibility Criteria – 12th pass from a recognized board OR equivalent
In simple terms, Psychology is the science of behaviour and mind. This domain has decent scope and potential in India and abroad. It generates ample amount of job opportunities. Also check – courses after 12th. The higher education scene associated with this domain is also well developed. Graduates have access to many relevant PG courses. These PG courses help them specialize in sub-disciplines within Psychology sector. BA stands for Bachelor of Arts. BA in Psychology is an honors program. This academic program deals with arts subjects as well as subjects specific to psychology domain. What is Psychology all about? What is the scope and potential associated with this domain? What is it like to become a Psychology graduate? You will find answers to these questions in the next section –
Psychology: Introduction, Scope and Details
What is Psychology, you may ask. In simple terms, it is the scientific study of human behaviour and mind. It is a vast and diverse field. It consists of many sub-disciplines and areas of specialization. Looking from academic programs’ point of view, Psychology study can be approached in two ways –
- Clinical Psychology courses
- Psychology (as a Social Science) courses
BA in Psychology falls under the social science category. It deals with the understanding the bahaviour, thinking and mind of individuals and groups. Here are some of the important branches of Psychology (as a part of social science) –
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Consumer Behaviour
- Health Psychology
- Industrial Psychology
Come, let us take a closer look at the course details. Here it is –
Course Details
Type of course
It is an Undergraduate level Bachelor’s Degree program.
Duration
The academic program is 3 years long.
Eligibility Criteria
Passed 10+2 (any stream – Arts, Commerce or Science) from a recognized board OR equivalent qualification.
Colleges
BA in Psychology course is being offered by many arts colleges across India. These colleges can be classified into two main types. They are –
- Government Colleges
- Self Financed Colleges
Government Colleges can further be divided into two categories – State Government Colleges and Central Government Colleges. Government Colleges are known to charge relatively lower tuition fees. Expenses are borne by the Government. This enables these colleges to offer subsidized education to its students. SF colleges are known to charge relatively higher fees. Some of the popular Colleges/Universities offering this course are –
- Ahmedabad University
- MSU
- DU
- University of Kerala
- RKU
- VNSGU
- Gujarat University
- Christ University
- Saurashtra University
- MGU
Admission Process
Reputed institutes rely on merit based admission process. Seats are allotted to deserving candidates on the basic of marks scored by them in board exam and/or relevant entrance test. Some institutes are also known to carry out direct as well as donation based admission process.
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Fees
Fees charged for this course may vary from one institute to another. Tuition fees depends upon factors such as –
- Type of college (Government of SF)
- Rating and status of the college
- Scholarship status of the student
- Mode of learning (distance or regular)
On an average, tuition fees could be anywhere between 50-150K INR per year. Government Colleges are known to charge relatively lower fees. Apart from tuition fees, additional expenses (lodging, mess, library, sports etc) may also apply.
Syllabus
Here are some of the important subjects present in BA in Psychology program –
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Consumer Behaviour
- Health Psychology
- Industrial Psychology
- Sports Psychology
- Motivation and Emotion
- Statistics in Psychology
- Counseling Psychology
- Theories of Psychology
- School Psychology
- Project Work
- Field Work
- Forensic Psychology
- Environmental Psychology
The academic program consists of classroom lectures and practical training sessions.
PG Courses
BA Psychology graduates, who are interested in higher studies, have access to a handful of PG courses. Notable PG courses are –
- MA Psychology
- Other relevant MA programs
- MBA programs
- PG Diploma (Management) programs
- PG Diploma (Psychology) programs
- Other relevant PG Diploma programs
Career Prospects
BA in Psychology graduates have access to diverse job opportunities. They have access to both Government and Private sector jobs. Some of the prime recruiters are –
- NGOs
- Mental Healthcare Centers
- Counseling Centers
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Survey Agencies
- Educational Institutes
- Educational Consultancies
In the above mentioned firms, one may don roles such as –
- Social Psychologist
- Counselor
- Social Worker
- Educational and Career Counselor
- Community Worker
- Welfare Worker
Salary
Predicting the starting salary is a difficult task. Because it depends upon factors such as –
- Profile of the employer
- Institute from which one has pursued the course
- Job location
- Academic qualification of the applicant (UG/PG)
On an average, starting salary could be anywhere between 30-40K INR. In case of a Government job, the salary will be based on the pay scale and grade.
I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.
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