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BACHELOR-OF-ARTS in Psychology at R.K. Mahila College, Giridih
Giridih, Jharkhand
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About the Specialization
What is Psychology at R.K. Mahila College, Giridih Giridih?
This Psychology program at Sri R. K. Mahila College focuses on understanding human behavior, mental processes, and emotional well-being. It provides a foundational education in psychological theories and research methods, crucial for addressing complex societal challenges. With increasing awareness of mental health in India, this specialization prepares students for diverse roles in counselling, HR, research, and social work.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for high school graduates with a keen interest in human behavior, cognitive functions, and societal interactions. It caters to individuals aspiring to become counselors, therapists, HR professionals, or researchers in India. It also suits those seeking a strong theoretical base before pursuing master''''s degrees in clinical, organizational, or counseling psychology.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career paths in India, including roles as junior counselors, HR assistants, research associates, or social workers in NGOs. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 - 4.5 LPA, with significant growth potential up to INR 8-15 LPA with experience and higher education. The program lays groundwork for professional certifications in counseling or psychological testing.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build a Strong Theoretical Base- (Semester 1-2)
Focus intensely on understanding core psychological concepts and theories like cognitive processes, social behavior, and biological psychology. Regularly review lecture notes, use textbooks effectively, and engage in peer-group discussions to solidify understanding.
Tools & Resources
NCERT Psychology textbooks (Class XI & XII), Online platforms like Coursera/edX for foundational psychology courses, Study groups and peer learning initiatives
Career Connection
A strong theoretical base is essential for all advanced studies and practical applications in psychology, forming the bedrock for future specialization.
Develop Critical Thinking Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively question theories, analyze research findings, and form independent opinions. Participate in debates, write reflective essays, and critically evaluate case studies presented in class to hone analytical abilities.
Tools & Resources
Academic journals (e.g., Indian Journal of Psychology), Online resources for critical thinking exercises, Departmental seminars and workshops
Career Connection
Essential for research, problem-solving in clinical or organizational settings, and making informed decisions in any psychological role.
Engage in Early Exposure to Research- (Semester 1-2)
Understand the basics of psychological research and data collection. Volunteer to assist professors with minor research projects, participate in department seminars, and learn to identify reliable research sources.
Tools & Resources
College library resources for academic papers, Basic statistical software tutorials (e.g., R, SPSS), Observation of real-world psychological phenomena
Career Connection
Prepares students for research roles and postgraduate studies, enhancing their analytical and data interpretation skills early on.
Intermediate Stage
Master Research & Statistical Applications- (Semester 3-5)
Gain hands-on experience with research methodology and statistical analysis. Actively participate in practical sessions for statistics, conduct mini-research projects, and learn to use statistical software relevant to psychological data.
Tools & Resources
SPSS/R tutorials and practice exercises, Online data sets for practice, Research project guidance from faculty mentors
Career Connection
Crucial for roles requiring data analysis, academic research, and evidence-based practice in diverse psychological fields.
Explore Diverse Specializations through Internships- (Semester 3-5)
Seek internships or volunteer opportunities related to different fields of psychology. Look for internships in NGOs, counseling centers, HR departments, or hospitals to understand various career paths and gain practical exposure.
Tools & Resources
College placement cell guidance, Platforms like LinkedIn and Internshala for opportunities, Networking with local mental health organizations
Career Connection
Helps clarify career interests, builds practical skills, and establishes early professional networks critical for future employment.
Develop Communication and Interpersonal Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Enhance skills vital for counselling, group dynamics, and professional interactions. Participate in role-playing exercises, present research findings, and join clubs or societies focusing on public speaking and collaboration.
Tools & Resources
Toastmasters International or similar college clubs, College dramatics or debate societies, Peer counseling groups or volunteer work
Career Connection
Essential for client interaction, effective team collaboration, and leadership roles in any psychological domain, greatly improving employability.
Advanced Stage
Intensive Placement Preparation & Networking- (Semester 6)
Focus on refining skills and preparing for postgraduate studies or entry-level jobs. Attend workshops on resume building, interview skills, and group discussions. Actively network with alumni and professionals in the field.
Tools & Resources
College career services and workshops, Alumni network platforms, Online job portals (Naukri.com, LinkedIn)
Career Connection
Maximizes chances for securing desired placements in reputable organizations or gaining admission to prestigious higher education programs.
Specialized Skill Development- (Semester 6)
Deep dive into specific areas of interest through advanced electives or external certifications. Pursue certifications in psychological testing, counseling techniques, or HR analytics based on chosen career goals to add a competitive edge.
Tools & Resources
Online certification platforms (e.g., NPTEL, Udemy), Workshops conducted by professional psychological bodies, Advanced elective courses offered by the university
Career Connection
Enhances employability and allows for specialization in high-demand areas within the Indian market, opening up more targeted career roles.
Mentorship and Portfolio Building- (Semester 6)
Seek mentorship from experienced professionals in the field and build a comprehensive portfolio of academic and practical work. Document research projects, internship experiences, and relevant coursework clearly.
Tools & Resources
Faculty advisors and department heads for guidance, Professional organizations (e.g., Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists), Personal website or online portfolio platforms
Career Connection
Provides valuable career insights, opens doors to advanced opportunities, and effectively demonstrates competence to prospective employers or academic institutions.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Intermediate (10+2) in any stream from a recognized board
Duration: 6 semesters / 3 years
Credits: 140 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30% (for theory papers - Mid Semester Examination), External: 70% (for theory papers - End Semester Examination)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-1 | Environmental Studies | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) | 2 | Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies, Natural Resources and Their Management, Ecosystems and Ecological Balance, Biodiversity and Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Control, Human Population and the Environment |
| GE-1 | Generic Elective - I | Elective (Choice from other disciplines) | 6 | |
| PSY-CC-1 | Introduction to Psychology | Core | 6 | Definition, Goals, and Schools of Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Biological Basis of Behavior, Sensation, Perception, Attention, Learning and Memory, Motivation and Emotion |
| PSY-CC-2 | Biopsychology | Core | 6 | Introduction to Biopsychology, Neural Conduction and Synaptic Transmission, Brain and Behavior, Sensory and Motor Systems, Neural Basis of Motivation, Brain Damage and Neuroplasticity |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-2 | English Communication | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) (Choice from English/Hindi/MIL) | 2 | Communication: Theory and Types, Listening Skills for Academic and Professional Contexts, Speaking Skills: Public Speaking and Group Discussions, Reading Skills: Comprehension and Critical Analysis, Writing Skills: Academic and Professional Writing |
| GE-2 | Generic Elective - II | Elective (Choice from other disciplines) | 6 | |
| PSY-CC-3 | Social Psychology | Core | 6 | Introduction to Social Psychology, Social Perception and Cognition, Attitudes and Attitude Change, Prejudice and Discrimination, Interpersonal Attraction, Group Processes and Leadership |
| PSY-CC-4 | Cognitive Psychology | Core | 6 | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology, Perception and Attention, Memory Systems and Processes, Language Acquisition and Processing, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Reasoning and Intelligence |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEC-1 | Counselling Skills | Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) (Choice from options like Organizational Behaviour, Psychological Testing, Health Psychology) | 2 | Introduction to Counselling, Core Conditions of Counselling, Counselling Process and Stages, Techniques of Counselling, Ethical Issues in Counselling |
| GE-3 | Generic Elective - III | Elective (Choice from other disciplines) | 6 | |
| PSY-CC-5 | Development of Psychological Thought | Core | 6 | Philosophical Roots of Psychology, Structuralism and Functionalism, Behaviorism and its Impact, Gestalt Psychology, Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Theories, Humanistic and Cognitive Revolutions |
| PSY-CC-6 | Research Methodology in Psychology | Core | 6 | Introduction to Research Methods, Types of Research Designs (Experimental, Correlational, Qualitative), Variables, Hypotheses, and Operational Definitions, Sampling Techniques, Data Collection Methods (Observation, Survey, Interview), Ethical Considerations in Psychological Research |
| PSY-CC-7 | Statistics in Psychology | Core | 6 | Basic Statistical Concepts and Scales of Measurement, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Variability, Correlation and Regression, Introduction to Probability and Normal Distribution, Inferential Statistics (t-tests, ANOVA introduction) |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEC-2 | Health Psychology | Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) (Choice from options like Counselling Skills, Organizational Behaviour, Psychological Testing) | 2 | Introduction to Health Psychology, Stress and Coping Mechanisms, Health Behaviors and Lifestyle, Chronic Illness and Pain Management, Psychoneuroimmunology, Health Interventions and Prevention |
| GE-4 | Generic Elective - IV | Elective (Choice from other disciplines) | 6 | |
| PSY-CC-8 | Psychological Testing | Core (Theory & Practical) | 6 | Introduction to Psychological Tests, Principles of Psychological Measurement, Reliability and Validity of Tests, Test Construction and Standardization, Types of Psychological Tests (Intelligence, Personality, Aptitude), Application and Interpretation of Psychological Tests |
| PSY-CC-9 | Developmental Psychology | Core | 6 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology and Theories, Prenatal Development and Birth, Infancy and Early Childhood Development, Adolescence and Identity Formation, Adulthood and Aging, Socio-Emotional and Cognitive Development across Lifespan |
| PSY-CC-10 | Abnormal Psychology | Core | 6 | Concepts of Abnormality and Mental Disorder, Classification of Mental Disorders (DSM-5/ICD-10), Anxiety Disorders and Related Conditions, Mood Disorders (Depression, Bipolar), Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Personality Disorders |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY-DSE-1 | Clinical Psychology | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) (Choice from options like Industrial-Organizational, Guidance & Counseling, Health, Educational, Environmental, Forensic, Sport Psychology) | 6 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology, Assessment Methods in Clinical Psychology, Psychopathology and Diagnosis, Psychodynamic Therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Group and Family Therapy |
| PSY-DSE-2 | Industrial-Organizational Psychology | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) (Choice from options) | 6 | Introduction to I-O Psychology, Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal, Personnel Selection and Recruitment, Training and Development, Work Motivation and Job Satisfaction, Leadership in Organizations |
| PSY-CC-11 | Educational Psychology | Core | 6 | Introduction to Educational Psychology, Theories of Learning (Behavioral, Cognitive, Humanistic), Motivation in Education, Intelligence and Creativity in Learning, Personality Development in Educational Context, Classroom Management and Guidance |
| PSY-CC-12 | Organizational Behaviour | Core | 6 | Introduction to Organizational Behaviour, Individual Differences: Personality and Values, Perception and Individual Decision Making, Motivation in Organizations, Leadership Theories and Styles, Group Dynamics and Teamwork |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY-DSE-3 | Guidance and Counseling | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) (Choice from options) | 6 | Nature and Principles of Guidance, Types of Guidance (Educational, Vocational, Personal), Career Guidance and Development, Counselling Theories and Approaches, Techniques of Counselling, Role of a Counsellor and Ethical Practices |
| PSY-DSE-4 | Environmental Psychology | Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) (Choice from options) | 6 | Introduction to Environmental Psychology, Perception of Environment, Environmental Stress and Coping, Impact of Built Environment on Behavior, Ecological Issues and Human Behavior, Promoting Sustainable Behavior |
| PSY-CC-13 | Counselling Psychology | Core | 6 | Nature and Scope of Counselling Psychology, Major Theories of Counselling, Counselling Process and Techniques, Ethical Issues in Counselling, Types of Counselling (Individual, Group, Family), Counsellor Characteristics and Training |
| PSY-CC-14 | Positive Psychology | Core | 6 | Introduction to Positive Psychology, Happiness and Subjective Well-being, Strengths and Virtues, Flow and Optimal Experience, Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Optimism, Positive Institutions and Social Support |
