SIM Psychology Questions

[xWatermelon]

Hi guys,

I'm currently serving NS right now and i will ORD on June 6 2014.
I have a Diploma in Info Communications from Temasek Poly with a GPA of 2.0.

Im currently interested in the Psychology Programme offered at SIMGE. It has nothing to do with my diploma but that was due to poor results attained in my O levels which made me choose a course in poly.

With Comparison of

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) From Uni At Buffalo From SIMGE Website(Not UNISIM)


AND


Bachelor of Science (Psychology) From Uni of Wollongong From SIMGE


1) For the Arts course , the course commencement is

*23 January 2014 to 22 January 2017 (13th Intake)*

Does this mean there is only 1 intake a year which starts in January?

Compare this with the Science Course:

*There are two intakes a year : Jul 2013 to Jun 2016

:Jan 2014 to Dec 2016.*

It means there are 2 intakes a year of which one is in July and one in Jan?

If i ORD in July , is there no way i can take the Arts Course?

2) With regards to the Admission Criteria, for the Arts Course

*Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents
GCE ‘O’ level with minimum 5 credit passes (6 or better) with suitable academic preparation for the intended major.

Applicants with GCE ‘A’ level or polytechnic diplomas may be considered for admission with advanced standing credit.*

I understand that i would be eligible for admission albeit without standing credit as its not a related Diploma.

Comparing the Science Course

*Standard Entry level - 3 years
GCE ‘A’ Level: 3 GCE ‘A’ / 3 H2 passes plus 1 H1 pass with a minimum aggregate of 10 points where A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1

Advanced Standings - 2 years
Temasek Polytechnic: Diploma in Psychology

Advanced Standings - 1 year
Singapore Polytechnic: Diploma in HRM in Psychology*

Does this mean a Diploma not related to Psychology is rejected straightaway?

3) Whats are the differences in the Science and Arts Psychology Course?

I know its really lengthy but thanks for helping me out.

Cheers! )

 

[Havok_ex]

Before embarking on this, have you ever thought about careers in psych? Tbh, the cost for UOW and UB is not cheap, if you have the money go ahead. But I think its very much a waste la. Its expensive, and the prospects are little to none. Psych grads dont get much jobs here in the first place. To actually practice as a counsellor or psychologist, you must further your study with a masters/phd. To gain entry to any of the local ivies to do post-grad, it will be near impossible with a degree from UOW/UB. Please realise this fact first before deciding to move on.

The B.A. in Psychology focuses more on the social aspects of the study of human behavior and psychological function, and the BSc degree focuses mostly on the biological and biochemical basis of behavior and mental function. However, these two do overlap and you will learn both in your degree either way. Career-wise, BSc are geared to the neuropsych and pharmaceutical side. Think more on research and medicine. BA grads are geared towards counselling/social work or interpersonal relationship management. However, at the undergrad level it doesnt really matter per se. What you learn is really very surface kind and you will learn both aspects anyways, hence, BA and BSc can go to each other's fields. You can also still take a BA and go into masters in clinical psych or take a BSc and take masters in counselling. Sorry for being so long-winded, but basically, it doesnt matter Bsc or BA, because career-wise is still the same, and post-grad opportunities also the same. Hence, will only make a significant difference when it comes to your masters, not degree.

Just to add, I would choose Unisim if I were you. Simply because its cheaper and probably better since its now government-backed(but still nowhere close to the big 3).
http://www.unisim.edu.sg/programmes/programme-details/Pages/BSc-Psychology.aspx
However, you need 2 years of working exp. But unisim considers NS as working experience so it should be fine if you serve full 2 years, not 1 year 10 months.

 

[Evielicious]

Good advice from Havok..

Also you might need to consider what area you wish to work at, in pursuing a Psychology degree. Havok mentioned also, that getting merely a psych degree doesn't mean you can be a practicing psychologist.

You must also consider the area of psych work you are looking at.

I was at your stage, considering between SIM & JCU (James Cook Uni). I chose JCU in the end, which is a direct Australian university based in Singapore (not managed by third party), and accredited.

It is research based. I believe most of the other psych courses offered, especially those at SIM are not research based, but more applied.

If you wish to be a counsellor.. it is really different from a psychologist. You should be taking a bachelor/masters in counselling instead. Its actually an easier path than being a full-fledged psychologist..

 

[Evielicious]

Adding on to that...

(Science) In Psych is more bio based.. learning to clinical sciences and bio-psychosocial psych topics, like how biological processes in the brain affect mental health

(Arts) in psych is more applied.. for example, like how to treat mental illness like depression, the therapies involved...

Often the two areas will overlap at some point during your studies. From what I know.. it appears that science is more valuable but if you are seeking a job that is not research or clinical based (ie: Org psych/ HR) it does not really matter