Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling)
Course Details
next intake
Term 2
Applications Open
10 March 2025Applications Close
23 June 2025
duration
3 years full-time, 5 years part-time
accreditation
NQF 7, CHE
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how to apply
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Why take this course
SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling) Degree is considered our gold standard of social science qualifications. It provides an excellent foundation that allows you to articulate into many different qualifications or career pathways.
This comprehensive qualification, with dual majors in Psychology and Counselling, develops a robust theoretical and methodological understanding of the discipline of psychology embedded within the social sciences.
It’s a comprehensive and well-rounded undergraduate degree designed to build critical thinking and provide an overview of psychology and its subfields, complemented by practical skills and academic scholarship it incorporates essential, practical and real-world experience in counselling and interpersonal communication skills.
The Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling) degree will also position you for admission into a cognate Bachelor Honours degree or other postgraduate studies in psychology, the social sciences, or related fields.
Testimonials
What you can expect
Throughout the qualification, you’ll develop critical thinking skills and gain a depth of understanding into:
- Psychology, mental health and people in a social context, including personality and developmental paradigms for understanding individual and group behaviour
- Psychological challenges and models for understanding behaviour and intervention.
- Diversity and cross-cultural dynamics in the South African context.
- Ethics when working within the broad field of psychology.
You will also develop:
- Oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, as well as the ability to present to diverse audiences.
- Skills to design, implement, monitor and evaluate psycho-educational and other community-based programmes.
- The ability to apply knowledge and skills in “real-world” settings through the practical Work Integrated Learning experience.
- Critical thinking skills to conceptualise, plan, analyse and interpret data, and report on research.
- Creative and innovative problem-solving skills.
Course Highlights
Build an understanding of the individual within a sociocultural context.
Prepares you for admission into postgraduate levels of study.
Gain practical experience in real-world settings.
Who is this course for?
Do you:
- Want an accredited qualification that is nationally benchmarked and internationally comparable.
- Have an interest in psychology, mental health, and people in the broader social context.
- Want a comprehensive undergraduate degree qualification in psychology that’s embedded in the social sciences.
- Want to develop integrated psychosocial support skills that you can use when working with individuals, groups and communities.
- Want a qualification that integrates theory, which is ethically applied to address a variety of mental health challenges and contribute to the wellbeing of people.
- Want to gain practical work integrated learning experience in diverse settings as part of your studies to boost your expertise and confidence.
Career opportunities
Our Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling) programme does allow graduates to register with ASCHP as a Wellness Counsellor.
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling) modules
Core Psychology Major Modules
- Academic Literacy (NQF 5, 12 credits)
- Introduction to Psychology A (NQF 5, 12 credits)
- Introduction to Psychology B (NQF 5, 12 credits)
- Counselling Modalities 1 (NQF 5, 14 credits)
- Counselling Modalities 2 (NQF 5, 14 credits)
- Diversity in the South African Context (NQF 5, 14 credits)
- Developmental Psychology A (NQF 5, 14 credits)
- Developmental Psychology B (NQF 6, 14 credits)
- Statistics for the Social Sciences (NQF 6, 14 credits)
- Community Psychology (NQF 6, 14 credits)
- Social Psychology (NQF 6, 14 credits)
- Theories of Personality (NQF 7, 14 credits)
- Psychopathology (NQF 7, 14 credits)
- Applied Research Methodology (NQF 7, 14 credits)
- Research Report (NQF 7, 20 credits)
Click here to download our psychology major module descriptors
Counselling Major
- Interpersonal Communication Skills (NQF 5, 14 credits)
- Fundamentals of a Helping Relationship (NQF 5, 14 credits)
- Ethics in Counselling (NQF 6, 14 credits)
- Counselling Skills and Process Development (NQF 6, 14 credits)
- Crisis and Trauma Counselling (NQF 6, 14 credits)
- Self-Esteem and Motivation (NQF 6, 14 credits)
- Group Work Skills (NQF 7, 14 credits)
- Applied Perspectives on Psychosocial and Mental Health Challenges in South Africa (NQF 7, 14 credits)
- Neuropsychology (NQF 7, 12 credits)
- Work Integrated Learning (Counselling) (Part 1 and 2) (NQF 7, 20 credits)
Click here to download our counselling major module descriptors
Elective Modules for the Counselling Major
- Addiction Counselling (NQF 6, 15 credits)
- Counselling in Loss (NQF 6, 15 credits)
- Family Work and Relationships (NQF 6, 15 credits)
- Gender, Sexuality and HIV Counselling (NQF 6, 15 credits)
- Sports Psychology (NQF 6, 15 credits)
- Working with Children and Adolescents (NQF 6, 15 credits)
View Module Descriptors Here
Additional information
British Accreditation Council (BAC)
SACAP is fully accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as an Independent Higher Education Institution
The BAC accreditation is a globally recognised hallmark of quality assurance, and achieving this accreditation demonstrates that we have met the high standards set by the BAC. This accreditation is validation of our commitment to excellence and our mission to provide our students with a world-class education that prepares them for success in their future careers.
Our students can be assured that their education provider has met a gold standard. To maintain BAC accreditation SACAP needs to continue to meet BAC’s standards. BAC ensure that colleges, universities and training providers provide high quality education and a great learning experience for students.
Admission requirements
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
- A National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 45% in English as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement 50-59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects. OR
- A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), with an achievement of at least 60% in three fundamental subjects including English, and an achievement of at least 70% in four vocational subjects chosen from the NC (V) Level 4 subject list. OR
- A Senior Certificate (pre-2008) with Endorsement with English passed at Standard Grade or better, or an equivalent school-leaving certificate. OR
- A Higher Certificate (NQF level 5), SAQA verified equivalent qualification, Advanced Certificate, or Diploma in a cognate field. OR
- Applicants 24 years of age and older who do not meet the above requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning equivalent to a National Senior Certificate (NQF level 4) to support admission into the programme on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
See SACAP’s full Admissions Policy here
How can I apply?
You will also need these docs
1. Application form
2. Certified copy of your ID
3. A Certified copy of your highest qualification
5. Proof of application fee of R300.00
Apply Online HERE
Course details
- Duration: 3 years full-time, 5 years part-time
- Modules: 26
- Accreditation: NQF 7, CHE
- Work Integrated Learning: 200 hours including supervision
- SAQA ID 90844
