Study Applied Psychology
SACAP has been training students in Applied Psychology and Counselling since 1997. Today, we are recognised as the leading provider of private higher education and training in this field.
Given the overwhelming need for psychosocial and emotional support in South Africa, there is a rapidly growing demand for psychology graduates and well-trained counsellors in a range of vocations and professions, who can provide counselling services and preventative mental health initiatives such as family strengthening, life skills training and social support services.
SACAP seeks to fill this demand through a unique approach to teaching and learning that combines a unique blend of rigorous academic theory, applied skills and experiential fieldwork. Our students undergo their own empowering process which gives them greater control of their lives and enables them to be responsive to the needs of individuals and groups in a variety of settings.
Over the years, SACAP graduates have become widely respected for their knowledge, high levels of competency and personal maturity.
Applied Psychology Courses
Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Senior and Further Education and Training
Applied Psychology
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling)
Applied Psychology
Diploma in Counselling and Communication Skills
Applied Psychology
Psychology
The study of psychology ultimately aims to benefit individuals and society in the enhancement of mental health as well as in understanding and solving problems in many other contexts and spheres of human activity.
What is psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of the multi-dimensional facets of the mind and human behaviour. It seeks to understand the developmental, psychosocial and environmental factors that influence experiences and shape individuals and groups. Psychology explores many fascinating concepts including perception, cognition, emotion, motivation, brain functioning, personality, behaviour, and interpersonal relationships, among others.
Find out more about our Applied Psychology courses here
What Applied Psychology courses can I study at SACAP?
SACAP offers a wide choice of vocational, academic and professional studies in psychology that combine theory and practice-based learning. Depending on your aptitude, study motivations and career aspirations you can choose a SACAP qualification that suits you.
Our range of psychology courses include:
Academic courses
provide academic foundation for a range of careers and post-graduate study paths. They afford a student with academic skills to interpret and analyse relevant social research data and to understand society, self and others.
Professional courses
academic programmes that are applied or interdisciplinary in focus and combine theory and practice-based professional learning, focusing on a body of knowledge that is more strictly delineated than non-professional studies. Students are trained to ensure expected standards and adequate service delivery in the best practice of a profession.
Find out more about our Applied Psychology courses here
What career opportunities are there in Applied psychology?
SACAP graduates can build significant careers in areas where having a grounded knowledge of psychology, an applied skill set, as well as well-developed research and writing skills, is valued. Examples include, but are not limited to, careers in:
Community and social development, Health and welfare, Education, Social policy research and development, Advocacy agencies, Psychosocial intervention programmes, Market research, Human resources and employee wellness, Services for the disabled and ageing, Counselling and mental health services, Juvenile justice, immigration and refugee support services, Programme management, and project management and implementation
Some students study psychology with the aim of becoming a registered mental health care professional.
Find out more about our Applied Psychology courses here
How do I become a registered psychologist?
The minimum requirements for registration as a psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa are as follows:
5 Years’ full-time formal education in psychology, i.e – A 3-year bachelor’s degree majoring in psychology or equivalent thereof, plus an honours degree in psychology, plus a directed master’s degree programme in psychology approved by the HPCSA; and
Successful completion of a full-time approved internship of 12 months’ duration; and
Successful completion of the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology in the relevant registration category.
Find out more about our Applied Psychology courses here
What types of registered mental health care professionals are there?
In South Africa you can register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) in the following 8 categories:
- Psychometrist
- Neuropsychologist
- Clinical psychologist
- Registered counsellor
- Research psychologist
- Counselling psychologist
- Educational psychologist
- Industrial or organisational psychologist
Find out more about our Applied Psychology courses here
Counselling and Communication
Counsellors are responsive to the needs of individuals and groups in a variety of counselling settings. Given the overwhelming psychosocial and emotional needs evidenced throughout South Africa, there is a growing demand for well-trained counsellors in providing supportive counselling services and in preventative mental health initiatives such as family strengthening, life skills training and social support services.
What is counselling?
Counsellors use empirically supported interventions and specialised interpersonal skills to facilitate change, including a shift in perspective, new insights, new ways of thinking about situations, a new awareness of feelings, enhanced capacity to tolerate and regulate feelings, new actions or behaviours, and new decisions about life.
Counselling Courses SACAP offers
Diploma in Counselling and Communication Skills
Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills
What career opportunities are there in counselling?
SACAP’s graduates have a robust understanding and knowledge in psychology, as well as applied counselling and communication skills can build meaningful careers and work effectively with individuals and groups in a variety of counselling settings and contexts, including:
NGOs
Correctional services
Hospitals and hospices
Consumer organisations
Crisis and trauma centres
Sel-employment as a counsellor
Schools and educational institutions
Community programmes and support facilities
Rehabilitation and addiction treatment programmes
Support services for the South African Police Service
Graduates of SACAP’s Bachelor of Psychology professional degree are able to register professionally with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Registered Counsellor and provide counselling services within the defined scope of practice for a Registered Counsellor.
Counselling Courses SACAP offers
How do I become a registered counsellor?
The minimum requirements for registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Registered Counsellor are:
A 4-year Bachelor of Psychology professional degree approved by the HPCSA, including a 720-hour practicum; or
A recognised BPsych Equivalent Programme approved by the HPCSA, including a 720-hour practicum; and
Successful completion of the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology in the Registered Counsellor category.
Both SACAP’s Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych) professional degree and Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology [BPsych Equivalent Programme] are approved by the HPCSA for the education and training of Registered Counsellors. Graduates of these programmes will be eligible to sit the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology in the Registered Counsellor category in order to register with the HPCSA as Registered Counsellors.
Graduates from both of these programmes are also eligible to articulate into an appropriate professional master’s programme with a view to becoming a registered psychologist.
Counselling Courses SACAP offers
Diploma in Counselling and Communication Skills
Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills
What counselling courses can I study at SACAP?
SACAP offers a wide choice of vocational, academic and professional studies in psychology that combine theory and practice-based learning.
Depending on your aptitude, study motivations and career aspirations you can choose a SACAP qualification that suits you. SACAP’s range of counselling courses include:
Our range of psychology courses include:
Vocational courses – skills-based programmes that prepare students for employment or an occupation that requires the application of a particular set of acquired skills.
Academic courses – provide academic foundation for a range of careers and post-graduate study paths. They afford a student with academic skills to interpret and analyse relevant social research data and to understand society, self and others.
Professional courses – academic programmes that are applied or interdisciplinary in focus and combine theory and practice-based professional learning, focusing on a body of knowledge that is more strictly delineated than non-professional studies. Students are trained to ensure expected standards and adequate service delivery in the best practice of a profession.
Counselling Courses SACAP offers
Diploma in Counselling and Communication Skills
Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills
