Applied Psychology Degrees

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There are many differences between psychology and applied psychology, but in simple terms, psychology is the research-based scientific study of the mind that is underpinned by theories, principles and methods with various sub-fields of study including early childhood development, sports and clinical, among others.

Psychology takes into consideration different things such as biological influences, family dynamics, social pressures and environmental factors that influence how people think, act and feel. Applied psychology, on the other hand, applies this knowledge of psychology to the real world to help improve mental health and wellbeing.

Applied psychology is the use of psychological methods and findings of scientific psychology to solve practical problems of behaviour and experience. One can find examples of professionals drawing on applied psychology to help find solutions to challenges in a variety of careers, including mental health organisations, business and industry, education, health and welfare, community development, commerce, public relations, media, advertising, ergonomics, and law, to name a few.

Take a look at SACAP’s range of qualifications here.

In South Africa, depending on the required qualification and professional training it is possible to register as a registered counsellor, psychometrist, or psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Registered psychologists can register as either a clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, counselling psychologist, industrial psychologist, or research psychologist. Many psychologists and registered counsellors choose to specialise in particular areas of interest such as working with children and/or adolescents, bereavement, family systems, couple dynamics, business and industry, community development, education, special needs, addiction treatment, sexuality, and gender identity, just to name a few.

Take a look at SACAP’s range of qualifications here.

As with all areas of study, the more interested you are in a topic, the more likely you are to succeed. However, getting a degree in applied psychology requires focus, commitment and hard work. You will need to complete an all the requirements of the qualification which includes a variety of activities, assessments, and potentially Work Integrated Learning.

It is key to remember that psychology all about people, and while not all career paths in psychology involve counselling clients, it does involve interaction and collaboration with people. So if you’re someone who prefers to work independently, you might find some of the social aspect of studying psychology a challenge.

Take a look at SACAP’s range of qualifications here.

An applied psychology degree opens up many career and academic opportunities within the social sciences and related fields. You can enter the workforce and apply your skills to areas in commerce, communication, training, development, entrepreneurship, human resource management, health care, sports, education, and counselling, to name a few, or continue on with furthering your studies.

Take a look at SACAP’s range of qualifications here.

Applied psychology applies the principles of scientific psychology to solve practical problems and achieve real-world results.

Take a look at SACAP’s range of qualifications here.

This can be a confusing point. It is important to understand that there are generally two types of doctor; the medical type (e.g. MD) and the academic type (e.g. PhD).

The second type refers to those who have achieved a high-level of academic study in a specific field, including psychology, in order to earn the title and status of doctor.

So while a psychologist is not a medical doctor, a psychologist can undertake academic doctoral studies in order to become a doctor. A doctorate is one of the highest levels of education that can be achieved.

Take a look at SACAP’s range of qualifications here.

While there are many branches of applied psychology, the most common include:

• Health and wellness
• Education
• Organisations and industry
• Sports
• Forensics
• Clinical
• Counselling
• Community
• Research

You can read more about some of these fascinating fields here

You can read more about some of these fascinating fields here.

SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science degree with majors in Psychology and Counselling is a considered our gold standard of social science qualifications. It provides an excellent foundation providing graduates with useful skills for their career development and also enables articulation in further study within the social sciences.

An applied psychology degree trains students on how to relate basic psychological practices to everyday life. In other words, how to apply these theories, principals, methods and techniques to different work environments within our society.

Take a look at SACAP’s range of qualifications here.

The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) is one of the country’s leading private higher education institutions in applied psychology. Candidates can apply to study at SACAP’s for a range of both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications specialising in applied psychology.

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SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science, with a choice of dual majors in either Psychology and Counselling, or Psychology and Human Resource Management, or Psychology and Business Management strong, is considered our gold standard of social science qualifications. It provides an excellent foundation providing graduates with useful skills for their career development and also and enables articulation in further study within the social sciences. This qualification is also available to study online.

• The Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology: a research focussed academic postgraduate degree that can be undertaken in 1-year full-time, or 18-months part-time online.
• The Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology [BPsych Equivalent Programme]: an 18-month professional postgraduate qualification that leads to registration as a Registered Counsellor with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) is one of the country’s leading private higher education institutions offering qualifications in applied psychology in South Africa. The College offers a range of applied psychology qualifications, including certificates, diplomas and both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, each of which is designed within an applied psychology framework.

View our full range of qualifications here

A degree in applied psychology is a good fit for those who have an interest in studying human behaviour and learning how to apply it to the workings of a variety of people-centric industries.

SACAP has a wide range of applied psychology qualifications, including ahigher certificate, an advanced certificate, a diploma, and both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

SACAP offers a range of applied psychology qualifications online. Our academically robust Online campus deliberately keeps its class sizes small so that students get to know their educators, their virtual classmates and their work, well. SACAP offers the following applied psychology qualifications online:

• Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills
• Advance Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills
• Diploma in Counselling and Communication Skills
• Bachelor of Applied Social Science:
  • Majoring in Psychology and Counselling
• Bachelor of Psychology
• Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology
• Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology [BPsych Equivalent Programme]

SACAP is known for its blend of academic excellence, practical work experience, and is a personalised learning experience. Founded in 1997, this leading provider of applied psychology training has a range of accredited qualifications on offer. To see the qualification outline for each, simply click on the qualification that interests you most and download the qualification outline.

It depends entirely on you and your personal motivations. Some may prefer a more purely academic path of psychological study, which pursues the scientific and theoretical principles of the discipline without skills-based practical application.

Others may prefer the path of applied psychology because it does include a skills-based and practical approach to those psychological theories with the intention to improve the mental health and wellbeing of others.

It is not possible to study applied psychology without having an in-depth understanding of the scientific and theoretical principles and research that underpin the discipline of psychology. The pursuit of either the academic discipline of psychology or the applied discipline of psychology both have value and merit.

Take a look at SACAP’s range of qualifications here.

There are many career opportunities for people with an applied psychology degree, which affords graduates with skills and attributes that are useful in a variety of work contexts, including the sectors in health, community, commerce, public relations, business, education, research, and other industries where working with and/or helping people is paramount. Read more about these fascinating fields here

Take a look at SACAP’s range of qualifications here.