Online Education - Online Psychology Degree
BSc (Hons) PsychologyThe psychology team at Derby offer an online Psychology programme suitable for students who wish to obtain a recognised qualification in psychology but are not able to attend a campus based programme for any reason. It is available to both UK and overseas students and all materials (including detailed course information, module content, study packs, interactive exercises and tests, and access to on-line journals and some books) are delivered wholly by e-learning, with the exception of a one week residential course at the end of stage 2. Students will be however be expected to buy (or borrow) the set text books for some modules. Teaching is via discussion board activity which allows the exchange ideas, questions and opinions between students and their tutors. Further contact with staff is possible via e-mail and telephone. See our prospectus page for BSc (Hons) Psychology
See the full list of online degrees available at this university.
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Can I still join the Programme if I
can’t attend the Residential week?
BSc (Hons) Psychology is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as conferring eligibility for Graduate Membership of the Society with the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC), provided that all BPS criteria for GBC are met by the student. This is the first step towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist. Students who wish to attain GBC must attend the residential week which forms part of the ‘Psychology in Practice’ module. However we are aware that for some students GBC is not of interest, while for others attendance at the residential is not possible. For these students we offer an alternative module which does not require attendance at the residential week and which leads to an alternative qualification of BSc Psychological Studies. The BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies is not accredited by the BPS but is an appropriate programme for students who wish to gain a validated degree by a recognised UK institution but who are not seeking to follow post graduate study in psychology with a view to working as a chartered psychologist. All students are initially enrolled onto the BSc Psychology and are transferred onto Psychological Studies should they choose to take the non- residential ‘Psychology in Practice’ module
Students who study the BSc (Hons) Psychology must study the core curriculum set by the BPS. The effect of this is that choice of modules for students on this course is more constrained than for those studying BSc (Hons) Psychological Studies. There is also a compulsory one week residential course (Practical Techniques for Psychology) for student studying Psychology.
Key Features
· The only online psychology programme accredited by the BPS.
· Offers flexible home-based learning.
· High levels of support from online tutors.
· Tutor supported online Freshers module offers introduction to both studying online and at a higher education institute
Course Structure
There are 3 stages in the programme, with students required to gain 120 credits at each stage. Most modules bare 15 credits with the exception of the Freshers (no credits) and the third year Independent Study module (30 credits). Students who study BSc (Hons) Psychology must also study (and pass) the Psychology in Practice (residential) module during their stage 2 studies.
Stage 1
9 modules are offered in Stage 1, The non credit baring Freshers module and a further 8 credit baring modules. Students must therefore study all of the modules:
Introduction to Biological Psychology
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
Introduction to Developmental Psychology
Introduction to Social Psychology
Key Figures in Psychology
Psychology - An Integrated Approach
Introduction to Research Methods
Research Methods and Data analysis
Stage 2
9 modules are offered in the second year. Students must choose either the online or residential ‘Psychology in Practice’ module, plus all 7 other modules. These modules cover the core areas as defined by the BPS
Biological Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Individual differences
Psychology in Practice (residential) OR Psychology in Practice (online)
Qualitative Methods in Psychology
Quantitative Statistics in Psychology
Social Psychology
Stage 3
Students must study the Independent Study, Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology plus any 5 other modules (see below).
Optional Modules (note these are for illustrative purposes and not all of these modules will be offered each year)
Addictive Behaviours
ADHD, Asperger's and Autism
Anomalistic Psychology
Applied Psychology And Ergonomics
Brain and Emotion
Cognitive Development
Contemporary Social Psychology
Discursive Approaches to Social Psychology
Evolutionary Psychology
Health Psychology
Neuropsychology
Pain Psychology
Psychology and Work
Psychology of Gender
Rationality
Vision and Cognition
Course Structure
Typically students study the course over a period of 4 years, although it is possible in some circumstances to complete in three years, or take up to eight years, depending on your circumstances. There are three 12 week terms per academic year beginning in September, January and April. Each module provides the materials you need to pass the module, but in common with most undergraduate programmes if you wish to excel on the programme it is expected that you will be supplementing the information on the module pages with independent study; for example, reading journal articles and books, conducting experiments and evaluating theories and research. To help with this we support the module materials by providing an online forum where the ideas and concepts introduced in the study materials are explored further. This can take the form of practical exercises or discussion activities. It is the forum activities which many students find most helpful both in terms of their learning and in building friendships with their peers.
What will I get from the course?
In addition to providing a thorough grounding in psychological theory which allows entry onto Post Graduate training programmes, graduates of the course develop a range of skills which are very useful to them in seeking employment after graduation. In addition to the transferable skills which graduates from most psychology courses acquire (communication skills, problem solving, project managing etc) online students develop excellent time management and team work skills (working with peers on other continents forces students to develop workable strategies). The result is that you are very employable on graduating from the course
How are students assessed?
All modules are assessed by coursework only. Coursework assessments come in a variety of forms. Many require you to complete an essay on a specific topic but you will also carry out and write up practical reports (which are often completed as a group) prepare poster presentations, portfolios of work etc. Some modules use a time constrained coursework format in which you will be expected to produce an answer in a set amount of time.
Programme Aims
The programme focus particularly on equipping students with:
a scientific understanding of contemporary psychological theories, findings and debates and of the ways in which psychological knowledge can be applied;
a critical understanding of research methodologies associated with psychological investigation and an appreciation of the professional, ethical and scientific responsibilities associated with psychological enquiry;
a coherent range of subject-specific and transferable skills which can facilitate continued personal and professional development.
Anything else?
We have had over 8 years experience on teaching psychology online and are very aware of both the advantages and disadvantages of online study. We are particularly aware of the problem of isolation for students who are studying remotely and design our learning materials to encourage students to chat online to their peers and members of staff. Designing materials in this way means that students build supportive social networks for periods similar to those seen in on campus students. In addition we are constantly seeking to utilise the best of the available technology to make the materials interesting (online lectures, wikis etc) and accessible to all students. A recent survey suggests that we are successful in our efforts as over when asked about their experiences of online study 85% of respondents stated that they would definitely consider further study online with the University of Derby
Entry Requirements
We operate a widening participation policy with the effect that entry to the programme is open to all applicants who can demonstrate the ability to work at undergraduate level. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact the programme leader for advice and information. Students for whom English is not their first language should be aware that it is an expectation that students are fluent in written English up to undergraduate level. While work is not specifically penalised for lack of fluency many of the assessments require students to marshal a succinct, well constructed argument for which strong English language skills are essential. As a guide it is expected that students whose first language is not English should meet the English Language entry levels (IELTS 6.5, TOEFL Paper 580, TOEFL Computer 237).
If you
have any questions please contact:
BSc Psychology Admissions Tutor & Programme Leader (online)
Dr Maggie Gale 01332 593049
m.gale@derby.ac.uk
How do I Apply?
The application process takes place via our marketing and applications partners RDI
http://www.rdi.co.uk/distance-learning/distance-learning.html
Additional Requirements and Costs
While a range of reading materials and journal access will be provided via the Internet, it is recommended that students purchase the set text for modules. Students, especially those outside the UK, should have some local library access in order to refer to a wider range of psychology texts.
Learning Materials and Support
The module web pages will provide announcements, the latest information, links and links to the discussion forum based upon the model successfully used by the departments existing programmes. Further support from staff will be available via e-mail, telephone and post.
At a University level InFocus Information for Off-Campus Students is the focal point for off-campus students and includes the Distance Learning Unit. InFocus allows access to:
An Enquiry service.
Access to the online catalogue.
Access to electronic resources: Including indexes and databases, e-books, electronic journals and the Electronic Copyright and Digitisation Unit.
Information skills support.
Access to specialist statistical software (SPSS) for use while on the programme
Postal book loans (UK and Republic of Ireland Only).
Document delivery service - photocopying of journal articles/book chapters. Up to 20 free. The cost of further requests depends on whether or not they come from University of Derby stock or on interlibrary loan.
Access to other libraries through SCONUL. The scheme enables students to borrow material from other libraries in close proximity to where you live or work.
Wider support and guidance covering issues such as health, counselling, career development is accessible via the Universities student support services which are detailed on the Internet: http://www.derby.ac.uk/ssis
Technical support is provided by a dedicated team at the ITHD@derby.ac.uk
Administrative support is available from onlinelearning@derby.ac.uk
Contacts
For further details contact:
Dr
Maggie Gale BSc SRN, DipN, SCM
Programme Leader; Psychology (online)
University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB
Telephone: 01332 593049 (Direct Line)
Email: m.gale@derby.ac.uk