introduction to psychology.

john 08

hi all. i was wondering if any of ye would know of any places doing "introduction to psychology courses" ?? im currently reconsidering going back to school to study psych and im looking to do some introduction course on it 1st. any info will help. thanks in advance.

The Black Oil

Don't know of any offhand, though I'd imagine there are some night classes, etc. The usual advice around here is to do something that's accredited.

In the meantime, this might give you a taster and won't cost you anything.
http://academicearth.org/courses/introduction-to-psychology

Odysseus

The Independant college has a few Popular psychology, Forensic Psychology as well as the usual Counselling and Psychology and Addiction Studies introductions. There are 12 weeks long, but sadly you have missed the boat for this year. All the night courses would have started a few weeks ago. I do the addiction studies one myself and Paul Kelly does the forensci one, generally from what I know for that level the introduction courses are quite good.

I had to attend some open evening last month for students interested in those courses and the lectures where all very good. DBS do similar 12 week courses and this are good too, however, i think that the Independant College is a bit cheaper in relation to course fees.

Really what you are looking at know is trying to find what you want for next Sept. as the next round of courses won't start until then. Best opf luck with it.

Edit: Just to add take your time and try to pick the best course for you that you can. I named two colleges above but lots a colleges offer those 12 week introduction courses. I think they play an important role for people; some do them out of interest, for some they are the first step in a career. I started my education in this area with a 12 week introduction course.

It showed me I was capable of understanding the material, as I left school after failing my inter cert. I have been working in an area doing the job I like for over a decade now. I don't know your reasons why you want to do an introduction course, but I'm just posting this in case someone in a similar position to the one I was in at the time is reading this and would like to do an introduction course. That 12 week course led me to do my degree then my masters and various other courses over the years.

People who met me now that I haven't seen since my teens are generally very surprised when I tell them what I work as, generally nobody would have expected me to enter college never mind complete it. OP you may be in a very different situation, but this may help someone else. Anyway best of luck with whatever course you decide on and I hope it is the start of continuing education in the area.

john 08

thank you for the replies.

i have 2 reasons for wanting to get into psych. to benefit myself (i suffer from anxiety) and to hopefully go on to help others. i understand i could take courses in counselling and psychotherapy ..... etc, but after researching the different fields that i could get into, psych has interested me more ! so im just looking at a starting off point ( an introduction course), to get more info on it.

JuliusCaesar

There's a big difference between Psychology and Psychotherapy.

I would always recommend that people study Psychology before taking up Psychotherapy as I feel it gives a much greater depth and breadth of understanding.

Odysseus

I would concur with JC on this, even for those looking to train as psychotherapists I would suggest looking at a psychology degree, but for different reasons. It opens up a wider career path for people as well as a wider access to post-grad study.

OP as suggested you can look at the various 12 week introduction courses or for example DBS do a one year dip in psychology, IIRC you take four modules two each semester so whilst it's a tad more indept that a 12 week course it is more a big leap either.

Another point to look at is about fees I know The Independant College do this and I think DBS do too. That is if you do a starter course with them and decide to do a degree level course there, the fees from the previous course are taken off the total price of the degree level course. As I said you are in a good position in that courses won't be starting until next Sept, which gives you plently of time to research which course will suit you best.

john 08

i was looking at W.I.T. they re starting a intro course to psychology in september, which goes on for 11 weeks ! i was hoping to do a course before september and if i liked it, start a 3 year course for a degree in september in W.I.T. id love to just start doing that course and not have to wait another year to do it but that would be a bit foolish.

Odysseus

john 08 wrote: »

i was looking at W.I.T. they re starting a intro course to psychology in september, which goes on for 11 weeks ! i was hoping to do a course before september and if i liked it, start a 3 year course for a degree in september in W.I.T. id love to just start doing that course and not have to wait another year to do it but that would be a bit foolish.

It's a pity you had not made your decision a few weeks ago, but sadly you will have to wait until Sept. However, you could look at doing the intro course in Sept, and a related 12 week course in Feb if you have the cash.

Additionally you can also look at engaging with the discipline now by doing your own reading. There was about a year gap between me doing my intro level course and starting my degree, when the time came for my interview for the course the head of the unit was surprised at the amount I had read.

So whilst it may seem that you have missed the boat and your left awaiting the next one, you can use that time to your advantage. Just have a look at the modules involved in the various courses and do some reading around it; especially the first year subjects. I'm sure people here can recommed some good books.

JuliusCaesar

Any large book called Introduction to Psychology will do - it'll cover things like Memory, Cognition, Perception, Motivation, Emotion, Personality, Child development etc.

Whatever the up-to-date version of Hilgard & Atkinson will be good. It's expensive (as books go, not as textbooks go!) but well worth the investment. In fact this kind of book by itself will let you know if you want to go ahead with an Intro to Psych course and so could save you several hundred if it doesn't seem interesting to you.