Psychology Cert

tenchi-fan

Does studying psychology help you to better understand and deal with your own personal issues, know your enemies or somehow better manage life's little hurdles?

The reason I ask, I'm 29 and I'm in a half-decent career at present -accountant, just qualified, don't love it but it pays the bills.

Anyway, I saw this part-time distance learning course. It looks interesting and wouldn't break the bank. However, without following it up with 2 years full-time study it would be pretty useless.

I'm just wondering is there anything I could take from doing this course, even if I don't embark on a career in psychology?

Odysseus

tenchi-fan wrote: »

Does studying psychology help you to better understand and deal with your own personal issues, know your enemies or somehow better manage life's little hurdles?

The reason I ask, I'm 29 and I'm in a half-decent career at present -accountant, just qualified, don't love it but it pays the bills.

Anyway, I saw this part-time distance learning course. It looks interesting and wouldn't break the bank. However, without following it up with 2 years full-time study it would be pretty useless.

I'm just wondering is there anLots of people do 12 week evening programmes in psych, counselling or psychotherapy. Some people get a lot personal development out of it, but really if you think you have issues to deal with seeing a therapist is the way to go, all a 12 dip will give us is a general basic introduction to that area. I teach a 12 week one in Addiction Studies and all people will get is an understanding of the theory behind it, it not a place for personal work.ything I could take from doing this course, even if I don't embark on a career in psychology?

Lots of people do 12 week evening programmes in psych, counselling or psychotherapy. Some people get a lot "personal development" out of it, but really if you think you have issues to deal with seeing a therapist is the way to go. All a 12 dip will give is a general basic introduction to that area. I teach a 12 week one in Addiction Studies and all people will get is an understanding of the theory behind it, it is not a place for personal work.

I'm not saying don't do it, but do it to learn about the topic, the place for personal work is with a therapist, does that help?

tenchi-fan

It does. Thanks for your reply! And I realise how silly the question was, it reminds me of the episode of friends where Phoebe (working as a masseur) said she lost her clients by teaching them how to massage themselves.

Although I really focussed too much in the first paragraph on personal issues. When I said "know your enemies" I really meant to know how people in general act and why people act in a certain way. I know a lot of people see psychology as a way to help people, but I'd like to use it to understand people. I'm also aware that some really high-end jobs exist in areas such as occupational psychology and consumer psychology. (I currently have accounting experience and a marketing masters)

I try to push forward my current career, but academically I have no interest in it, and no intention of doing tax exams or obtaining a practicing cert or investing any more of my time in it.

I know €2000 for a one-year part-time course sounds expensive, but a hobby that costs €40 a week isn't so bad & could open doors if I do decide on a career change. And as much as I hate exams at exam time I get a lot more satisfaction completing a course that finishes with exams compared to an evening course where you get a cert simply for turning up.

Hmm.. I think I've my mind made up on what I'm going to do! I'm thinking of doing a bit more reading into psychology first. The part-time course doesn't start until April so I have plenty of time to make a decision.

But if anyone else wants to share their thoughts I'd appreciate it.

Odysseus

Can I ask what course you where thinking of doing?

tenchi-fan

Odysseus wrote: »

Can I ask what course you where thinking of doing?

Yea, It's a London Metropolitan University distance learning course. That's because I'd like to study in England if I'm doing the follow-on course.

Graduate Conversion Programme in Psychology - Graduate Certificate - "The Certificate is a 60-credit introductory course for graduates with insufficient, inappropriate or no prior study of psychology at degree level. Satisfactory completion of the Certificate allows entry onto the one year full-time equivalent Conversion Diploma in Psychology for Graduates which confers graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and more importantly, the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS"

After doing the part-time cert, then full-time dip, supposedly I could go on for a 1yr full-time MSc. I have no idea how hard or easy it would be to get on to the master's course.

sambuka41

tenchi-fan wrote: »

I know a lot of people see psychology as a way to help people, but I'd like to use it to understand people.

But if anyone else wants to share their thoughts I'd appreciate it.

From my studies I have found that psychology is about understanding human behaviour whereas psychotherapies are more focused on helping people. Thats just my view on it!

If you are interested in the study of human behaviour then psychology is the way to go. But be prepared for WAY more questions than answers. And if your ultimate goal is to understand people you wont find it here, mainly because there is no definitive answer to the question of why people behave they way they do!! (in my opinion theres no generalized answer to that question):D

Its interesting stuff all the same!

Odysseus

tenchi-fan wrote: »

Yea, It's a London Metropolitan University distance learning course. That's because I'd like to study in England if I'm doing the follow-on course.

Graduate Conversion Programme in Psychology - Graduate Certificate - "The Certificate is a 60-credit introductory course for graduates with insufficient, inappropriate or no prior study of psychology at degree level. Satisfactory completion of the Certificate allows entry onto the one year full-time equivalent Conversion Diploma in Psychology for Graduates which confers graduate membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and more importantly, the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS"

After doing the part-time cert, then full-time dip, supposedly I could go on for a 1yr full-time MSc. I have no idea how hard or easy it would be to get on to the master's course.

Would you not consider one og the Open Universities courses here?

tenchi-fan

Odysseus wrote: »

Would you not consider one og the Open Universities courses here?

The Open University cert doesnt start until 01 Oct 2011 and the dip is being discontinued on 31 December 2013. Weird!

With regards to Irish courses. I couldn't find any conversion courses with as favourable terms as the London met university. The Irish courses are also more expensive.

Would it be fair to say the PSI are doing away with conversion courses (for degree holders from a non-psychology background)? A number of courses seem to be under review or discontinued. The remaining ones are 2 years full-time (might as well just to a bachelors degree!).

Odysseus

tenchi-fan wrote: »

The Open University cert doesnt start until 01 Oct 2011 and the dip is being discontinued on 31 December 2013. Weird!

With regards to Irish courses. I couldn't find any conversion courses with as favourable terms as the London met university. The Irish courses are also more expensive.

Would it be fair to say the PSI are doing away with conversion courses (for degree holders from a non-psychology background)? A number of courses seem to be under review or discontinued. The remaining ones are 2 years full-time (might as well just to a bachelors degree!).

There are a few others some private hence even more cash is involved. I'm a psychoanalyst so I am a member of other professional bodies rather than the PSI. However, the course you have picked does not come up here often, so would you giving us information on how you get on with etc? It will help others, and of course maybe post here regular, this froum is really a good resourse for students.

Some of the PSI people will be along soon and may be able to answer you questions better than me.