Psychology Diploma Level 3

Course Synopsis
This Ascentis Quality Assured Level 3 Diploma in Psychology is designed for those people who have an interest in Psychology and would like to increase their knowledge or gain knowledge in this important and growing subject area.

The Course delivers a wide syllabus of topics to provide the student with an introduction to the diversity of the subject area. Psychology is about understanding human behaviour and this Course will provide useful background for those students wishing to pursue further study or who are considering a career in the Caring and Social Work Professions.

Module 1 - Carl Gustav Jung
In this Module students will be examine the personal and professional life of Carl Gustav Jung. Jung was responsible for the development of Analytic Psychology and the reasons why the inevitable and painful split from Freud occurred will be explored. The impact this had on the lives of the two men will be examined. The development of Jung's work after the split will also be explained and students will be given insight into the development of the psyche, Jungian archetypes, symbols and cultural influences. Jung is considered something of a 'guru' in the present day and his lasting influence upon mid life and the development of Analytic Psychology will be presented and students are encouraged to use this module to examine issues such as mid life crisis and whole life development.

Module 2 - The Psychoanalytic Approach
This module will introduce students to the life and times of Sigmund Freud and the Psychoanalytic paradigm that he founded. The course will look at the role and function of the defence mechanisms, the importance of dreams and also examine childhood development and the part this plays in adulthood. The breadth and scope of the work of Freud will be explored and the impact this has had upon the development of other disciplines examined.

Module 3 - B.F. Skinner and Behaviourism
In this module the work of B.F. Skinner and J. B. Watson will be presented through a presentation of the principles of Behaviourism. Students will examine the development of Behaviourism and both classical and operant learning will be explored and students will be encouraged to apply their learning to events within their own life.

Module 4 - Carl Rogers and Humanistic Psychology
In this Chapter the work of the Humanistic movement in Psychology will be examined. The Humanistic movement in Pyschology laid emphasis on 'wholeness', personal growth and integration of the psyche. The work of Humanistic Psychologists such as Abrahamn Maslow and Carl Rogers will be explored. Maslow's hiearchy of needs will be presented and students will be encouraged to explore issues such as individuation and self development.

The theme of whole life development will be continued through a study of the work of Erik Erikson. Erikson's work will be paralleled with that of Levinson who wrote about the 'seasons of life' and whose work focused entirely upon mid life and examined issues such as the importance of having a 'dream' and the influence of this upon the developing psyche.

Module 5 - The Cognitive Approach
In this Module students are introduced to Cognitive Psychology and the work of Albert Ellis. Students will be introduced to the two approaches used by Psychologists in this area namely cognitive behavioural therapy and rational emotive therapy and will examine the contribution made by the two approaches on applied areas of Psychology such as pain management, depression, eating disorder and drug taking.

In the second part of the module students will be introduced to issues such as how children learn and the role of learning in the development of intelligence. Vygotsky was a Soviet Psychologist who explored the role of learning within a social setting and the cognitive approach of Piaget will be contrasted with that of Vygotsky. Students are encouraged to look at the strengths and weaknesses of each of the approaches in terms of learning in the current day and assess the impact of the two theories in relation to their own classroom learning.

Module 6 - Cognitive Therapy
Students will be introduced to the idea of 'brief therapy' which is a cognitive tool designed to bring about changes in thinking patterns and this can be contrasted with the longer term Psychoanalytic, Analytic and Humanistic therapies introduced earlier in the course.

Module 7 - Social Constructionism and the Self
The development of self theory in Psychology will be introduced and also an explanation provided of how the self concept of children develops. The importance of sustaining a healthy self concept will be discussed and also problems with measuring the self. The idea of social constructionism will be introduced so that students have an understanding of the influence of society upon the idea of self.

Entry Requirements
All students must per 16 years of age and above.

Study Hours
Approximately 40 hours per unit

Assessment Method
Final online multiple choice examination.

Please note that you can enrol on this course at anytime.

Award
Level 3 Diploma in Psychology

This course is Quality Assured by Ascentis
 
Additional Information
This is a dual certification course. You will receive a certificate from both the College and also the National Awarding body Ascentis. Fees for both are included in the course fee.

The course can be enrolled upon by students Internationally. There are no deadlines for enrolments.

What's Included
All study materials to enable the student to successfully complete the Diploma. Support is provided by the tutor department. Examination board certification upon completion. All examination fees.

Further Information

The Quality Assured Diploma is a Level 3 equivalent on the National Qualifications Framework. The Diploma is a 2 year course which is self study and is examined by online examination. The Diploma is awarded by Oxford College and Quality Assured by Ascentis who are a highly recognised National awarding body. Upon completion of the course you will receive dual certification awarded by Oxford College and Ascentis.

Your course is delivered online via the Oxford Learning On Campus website.

Please note that included in your course fee is your registration to the On Campus student community, and a licence to print your study materials. Please note that the licence is for one print only, so please ensure that you have enough paper and ink to print the full course materials if required.

You will require having one of the following packages to access your On Campus area:

Windows: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above
Macintosh: Mac OS X, Mac OS 9.2 - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above
In the student 'On Campus' you are also able to take part in the student chat room and forums as part of our online student community.

After enrolling online you will receive your username and password to access the On Campus area within 5 working days. You will also receive your personal Oxford Learning student number via email.