It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of many around the world. With prolonged lockdowns, social isolation and economic uncertainties, it is unsurprising that stress levels have reached unprecedented heights. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is an estimated 25% increase in levels of anxiety and depression during the first year of the pandemic.
Because of this, psychology professionals play a vital role in addressing these challenges. Their expertise helps individuals navigate their emotional struggles and enhance community well-being.
Why Study Psychology?
Due to the growing demand for capable mental health services, a psychology degree offers graduates a successful and rewarding path with abundant career opportunities.
By gaining a foundational understanding of human thought, emotion and behaviour, graduates are well-equipped for success in various professional settings. This includes counseling, clinical psychology, industrial-organisational psychology, school psychology, research and more.
It is important to note that many psychology careers, especially in the clinical and counseling fields, require advanced degrees. Hence, you should plan for potential postgraduate education if this is your goal.
Essential Skills for Psychology Majors
In order to excel in psychology, a blend of soft and hard skills is required. These skills are vital for both academic success and professional practice.
Essential hard skills include a strong foundation in psychological and cognitive science, numeracy and quantitative research, clinical reasoning, experiment design and experiential learning.
For example, as psychology is a data-driven discipline, you’ll need strong numeracy and quantitative research skills to effectively measure, gather and analyse data. These hard skills are learned through classes and can be further refined with practice and repetition.
Equally important are soft skills such as communication, patience and active listening, critical thinking, creative problem-solving and cultural competence. In counseling or therapy sessions, you will need to employ all of these abilities in order to provide evidence-based diagnoses and advice.
If you’re passionate about understanding human behaviour and helping lead others to a healthier, more fulfilling life, Wawasan Open University’s (WOU) Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Master of Arts in Psychology programmes offer the perfect opportunity to explore this fascinating field.
These programmes prepare you for a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Programme Highlights
WOU’s psychology course provides students with a thorough understanding of psychology through a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge.
Tailored Learning for Working Professionals
WOU’s ODL psychology programmes provide a tailored learning experience led by expert tutors. Designed for part-time study, this programme offers the flexibility to learn at your own pace, ideal for working students looking to balance their studies with their professional commitments.
Additionally, you can also leverage your work experience to gain admissions or credits through APEL, shortening the time required to graduate.
Comprehensive Curriculum
Fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), WOU’s psychology courses
deliver a high-quality education recognised by professionals.
The curriculum spans broad psychology concepts with an in-depth exploration of specialisations like child development, counseling theories, workplace psychology and cyberpsychology.
Postgraduate students also dive into advanced theories and contemporary topics, focusing on rigorous research and current trends in psychology.
WOU’s psychology course prepares students for diverse career pathways, such as industrial-organisational psychology, school psychology and more.
The part-time format also makes it ideal for individuals looking to transition into a career in psychology or for HR practitioners seeking to specialise in this field while continuing to work.
This programme prepares graduates for a range of fulfilling and rewarding career opportunities.
Key Learning Areas, Study Models and Future Career Paths
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Psychology:
- Core courses: Introduction to Psychology, Managing Stress, Child Development, and
Counselling Theories and Practice - Online ODL study model
- 3 years full-time / 4 years and 4 months part-time
Career pathways with a BAPS Degree:
- Human resource or administration executive
- Carer or wellness consultant
- Tutor or assistant lecturer
Master of Arts in Psychology:
- Core courses: Psychological Theories, Contemporary Topics in Psychology, Professional Ethics and Standards, and Psychological Measurement and Assessment
- Online ODL study model
- 2 years part-time
Career pathways with a MAP Degree:
- Community Outreach Specialist
- Human Resources Specialist
- Behavioural Health Specialist
Take the first step toward a rewarding and impactful career by enrolling in WOU’s psychology
programmes today!
For more information, visit here.