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M-A in Psychology at Maharaja Purna Chandra Autonomous College
Mayurbhanj, Odisha
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About the Specialization
What is Psychology at Maharaja Purna Chandra Autonomous College Mayurbhanj?
This MA Psychology program at Maharaja Purna Chandra Autonomous College focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of human behavior, mental processes, and psychological principles. It emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, preparing students for diverse roles in the Indian mental health and social sectors. The curriculum is designed to meet the growing demand for skilled psychology professionals in India, covering a wide array of sub-disciplines.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for psychology graduates seeking advanced knowledge and research skills, as well as professionals aiming to transition into clinical, counseling, or organizational psychology roles within India. It is particularly suited for individuals with a strong interest in human behavior, critical thinking, and a desire to contribute to mental well-being and social development. Prerequisites typically include a Bachelor''''s degree with Psychology as a major or equivalent.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue rewarding India-specific career paths as counselors, clinical psychologists, human resource specialists, researchers, or educators. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 LPA, with experienced professionals earning INR 8-15 LPA, especially in metro cities. The program provides a strong foundation for further specialization, enabling growth trajectories in academia, healthcare, and corporate environments across Indian companies.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Theoretical Foundations- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on thoroughly understanding core psychological concepts from cognitive, social, and developmental psychology. Engage in active reading of prescribed texts and critically analyze theories. Participate in departmental seminars and discussions to deepen conceptual clarity.
Tools & Resources
University library, Departmental reading groups, Online academic journals like Indian Journal of Psychology, NCERT/UGC-NET study materials for foundational review
Career Connection
A solid theoretical base is essential for all advanced applications and competitive exams in psychology, strengthening analytical and problem-solving skills for future roles.
Develop Basic Research and Statistical Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Pay close attention to Research Methodology and Statistics courses. Practice data collection, basic statistical analysis (using software if introduced), and report writing. Participate in small group research projects or surveys.
Tools & Resources
SPSS (if available), R (open-source), Excel for data entry, Online tutorials for statistical concepts, Research ethics guidelines
Career Connection
Essential for any research-oriented role, clinical assessments, or data-driven decision making in organizational settings. Strong statistical skills are highly valued.
Engage in Psychological Testing and Observation- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in practical sessions involving psychological testing and experimentation. Learn to administer, score, and interpret standardized tests. Develop keen observational skills through case studies and simulations.
Tools & Resources
Official psychological test manuals, Laboratory equipment, Observation checklists, Ethical guidelines for testing
Career Connection
Directly prepares students for roles in assessment, counseling, and clinical psychology where accurate evaluation is crucial for diagnosis and intervention.
Intermediate Stage
Specialize through Electives and Applied Learning- (Semester 3-4)
Choose electives wisely based on career interests (e.g., Counselling, Applied Social Psychology, Neuropsychology, Educational). Seek opportunities for fieldwork, short internships, or volunteer work in relevant areas to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world Indian contexts.
Tools & Resources
Departmental career counseling, Local NGOs, Mental health clinics, Educational institutions for short-term placements, Professional associations like Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists
Career Connection
Builds specific expertise and practical experience, making graduates more competitive for specialized roles and demonstrating commitment to a chosen sub-field.
Hone Therapeutic and Diagnostic Skills- (Semester 3-4)
For those interested in clinical or counseling roles, focus on understanding different therapeutic approaches and diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-5, ICD-10/11). Practice case conceptualization and mock counseling sessions, emphasizing empathy and ethical considerations.
Tools & Resources
Case study analyses, Role-playing scenarios, Clinical handbooks, Online resources for mental health professionals, Supervision from faculty
Career Connection
Directly prepares students for entry-level counseling positions and provides a foundation for pursuing further professional training in clinical psychology.
Undertake a Robust Dissertation/Project- (Semester 4)
Engage deeply in the dissertation/project work, viewing it as an opportunity for independent research and problem-solving. Select a topic relevant to contemporary Indian psychological issues and meticulously execute all research phases. Present findings clearly.
Tools & Resources
Research supervisors, University library databases, Academic writing guides, Statistical software, Peer review
Career Connection
Demonstrates advanced research capability, critical thinking, and project management skills, highly valued in academia, research institutions, and organizations seeking analytical talent.
Advanced Stage
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s Degree with Honours/Major in Psychology or a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks in aggregate if Psychology was not studied as Honours/Major (inferred from general PG admission norms of the college)
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC-CC-401 | Cognitive Psychology | Core | 4 | Nature of Cognition, Attention and Perception, Memory Systems and Processes, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Language and Thought |
| PSYC-CC-402 | Social Psychology | Core | 4 | Social Cognition and Attribution, Attitudes and Persuasion, Group Dynamics and Leadership, Prejudice, Discrimination and Aggression, Interpersonal Attraction and Altruism |
| PSYC-CC-403 | Advanced Developmental Psychology | Core | 4 | Theories of Human Development, Prenatal Development and Infancy, Cognitive and Socio-emotional Development in Childhood, Adolescence: Identity and Challenges, Adulthood and Aging: Life Span Perspective |
| PSYC-CC-404 | Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology - I | Core | 4 | Scientific Method in Psychology, Types of Research Designs, Sampling Techniques, Data Collection Methods, Descriptive Statistics: Measures of Central Tendency and Variability |
| PSYC-P-405 | Practical-I (Psychological Testing) | Practical | 4 | Principles of Psychological Testing, Intelligence Testing, Personality Assessment, Aptitude and Interest Inventories, Ethical Considerations in Testing |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC-CC-406 | Psychopathology | Core | 4 | Concepts of Abnormality and Mental Disorders, Anxiety and Related Disorders, Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar), Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders, Personality Disorders |
| PSYC-CC-407 | Health Psychology | Core | 4 | Biopsychosocial Model of Health, Stress and Coping Mechanisms, Health Behaviours and Lifestyle, Psychological Aspects of Chronic Illness, Health Promotion and Interventions |
| PSYC-CC-408 | Advanced Physiological Psychology | Core | 4 | Neuroanatomy and Neural Communication, Sensory and Perceptual Systems, Motor Control and Movement, Motivation, Emotion and Homeostasis, Higher Cognitive Functions and Brain Damage |
| PSYC-CC-409 | Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology - II | Core | 4 | Inferential Statistics: Hypothesis Testing, Parametric Tests (t-test, ANOVA), Non-Parametric Tests (Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U), Correlation and Regression Analysis, Introduction to Qualitative Research |
| PSYC-P-410 | Practical-II (Experiments in Psychology) | Practical | 4 | Experimental Design and Control, Experiments on Sensation and Perception, Experiments on Learning and Memory, Experiments on Attention and Cognition, Reporting Experimental Findings |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC-CC-501 | Theories of Personality | Core | 4 | Psychoanalytic Theories (Freud, Jung), Humanistic Theories (Rogers, Maslow), Trait Theories (Allport, Cattell), Social-Cognitive Theories (Bandura), Personality Assessment Techniques |
| PSYC-CC-502 | Psychometrics | Core | 4 | Principles of Psychological Measurement, Reliability of Psychological Tests, Validity of Psychological Tests, Item Analysis and Scaling, Test Norms and Standardization |
| PSYC-EC-503 | Counselling Psychology | Elective | 4 | Nature and Scope of Counselling, Counselling Theories (Person-Centered, CBT), Stages of the Counselling Process, Ethical Issues in Counselling, Counselling for Specific Populations |
| PSYC-EC-504 | Applied Social Psychology | Elective | 4 | Social Influence and Persuasion, Leadership and Decision Making, Environmental Psychology, Consumer Behavior, Community Psychology and Social Change |
| PSYC-P-505 | Practical-III (Advanced Psychological Testing) | Practical | 4 | Projective Techniques (Rorschach, TAT), Neuropsychological Assessment, Clinical Interviewing Skills, Behavioural Assessment Methods, Interpretation and Report Writing |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC-CC-506 | Organizational Behaviour | Core | 4 | Foundations of Organizational Behaviour, Motivation in Organizations, Leadership Theories and Styles, Group Dynamics and Teamwork, Conflict Management and Organizational Culture |
| PSYC-CC-507 | Clinical Psychology | Core | 4 | Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis, Psychotherapeutic Approaches, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Family and Group Therapy, Crisis Intervention and Rehabilitation |
| PSYC-EC-508 | Neuropsychology | Elective | 4 | Brain and Behavior Relationship, Neurological Disorders and Syndromes, Assessment of Brain Damage, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience |
| PSYC-EC-509 | Educational Psychology | Elective | 4 | Learning Theories and Their Application, Motivation in Education, Classroom Management and Discipline, Assessment in Educational Settings, Special Education and Inclusive Practices |
| PSYC-PROJ-510 | Dissertation/Project Work | Project | 4 | Formulation of Research Proposal, Literature Review and Hypothesis, Data Collection and Analysis, Dissertation Writing and Presentation, Ethical Guidelines in Research |
