Types of Psychology Courses

The field of Psychology specialises in exploring human behaviour and their mental processes. It uses experimental approaches to analyse the complex aspects of the human mind. It prepares potential students for graduate studies in different psychology fields while fostering a complete understanding of the basic concepts, theories and methodologies.

The Psychology courses in India cover diverse topics, including-

• Personality
• Social
• Clinical
• Industrial
• Developmental
• Educational
• Experimental Psychology

Students acquire training in these topics in terms of psychological testing, experimental techniques, counselling and research methods. Students taking these courses gradually progress from foundational concepts to advanced studies. This is where they must focus on several areas like-

• Observation
• Communication
• Active listening

Graduates of the Major can pursue advanced studies or careers in community health, HR, NGOs, and recruitment. The Minor prepares students for roles requiring an understanding of human behaviour, including human resources and social services.

Types of Psychology Courses

Psychology courses in India are offered at different education levels, including undergraduate Psychology courses, postgraduate Psychology courses, PhD in Psychology and diploma courses in Psychology. The other courses mainly include the study of various fields, including but not limited to the following-

Clinical Psychology

This speciality focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental diseases and emotional problems.

The course often incorporates coursework in psychology, business administration, healthcare management, and leadership, resulting in a comprehensive skill set for meeting the different requirements of patients and organisations in the mental health field.

Forensic Psychology

This course combines psychological knowledge with commercial acumen in the context of legal and criminal justice systems. It entails applying psychological concepts to legal and criminal justice contexts, where specialists analyse persons involved in legal procedures, perform assessments, provide expert witnesses, and provide psychological insights to aid in legal decision-making. The course covers forensic psychology, criminal behaviour analysis, legal and ethical problems.

Cognitive Psychology

This course examines the cognitive activities of the brain. It will provide insight into diverse cognitive theories, which will aid in the organisation, integration, and application of research data, as well as the conduct of experimental research and the application of concepts in a range of contexts.

Counselling Psychology

Integrating counselling psychology with an MBA degree provides a good basis for people seeking to combine therapeutic experience with commercial leadership abilities. It focuses on offering treatment and support to individuals, couples, families, and groups, assisting them in navigating life’s problems, improving their mental health, and improving their overall quality of life. The training generally covers counselling theories, evaluation, and intervention approaches.

Social Psychology

Social psychology is among the best online Psychology courses in India. It is the study of personalities and individual behaviour in a social setting. Majoring in this speciality teaches you how to investigate social issues that influence how individuals act and behave. As a social psychologist, you investigate and analyse group dynamics, social impact, stereotypes, prejudice, interpersonal conflict, and discrimination. Pursuing this degree opens up job prospects in school, government, industry, and social services sectors. The majority of professions in social psychology focus on research and assessment training.

Child Psychology

Child psychology studies the behavioural, cognitive, and emotional variables that influence children’s development from infancy to adolescence. Institutions may mix child psychology with developmental psychology because the latter encompasses development from infancy to old age.

This major qualifies you to work as a therapist, counsellor, researcher, or adviser. Child psychologists might work in schools, paediatric hospitals, outpatient clinics or private offices. Many of the employment in this industry need a master’s degree. To get a state licence, experts must hold a Psy.D. or Ph.D. degree.

Developmental Psychology

This course will go over the notion of development across the lifetime and help students grasp different developmental theories and their consequences. Physical, cognitive, and psychological development are examined from birth to childhood, adolescent, young, middle, and older adults.

Industrial and Organisational Psychology

Industrial and organisational psychology is among the best online Psychology courses in India. It is the study of how human behaviour affects organisations and industries. Pursuing this degree prepares you for a profession that requires you to analyse a work environment and devise a strategy for achieving work-life balance and peak performance.

Industrial and organisational psychologists do research, researching workplace settings and decision-making theories. Industrial organisational psychologists often provide consulting services to aid with workplace diversity, team building, and leadership development.

Educational Psychology

Combining educational psychology with an MBA degree prepares you to utilise psychological ideas to improve teaching, learning, and educational administration in a variety of situations. The course discusses learning theories, assessment and evaluation, and educational research methodologies.

Experimental Psychology

An experimental psychology major knows how to investigate, examine, and comprehend ethical quandaries among living creatures. Students pursuing an experimental psychology degree study human and animal behaviour across a variety of psychology areas. Experimental psychologists do study and gather data on psychological processes in order to assist others learn. Experimental psychology prepares you for a career in research in universities, government organisations, and research centres.

Basic Topics Included in a Psychology Course

When you are enrolling in Mental Health Courses in Gurgaon, India, the following topics related to psychology are likely to be included in the course syllabus.

• The History of Psychology
• Scientific Methods in Psychology
• Study of the Human Brain, Sensation and Perception
• Psychological Theories and Perspective
• Psychology Subfields like trauma psychology, international psychology, pediatric psychology etc.
• Social and cultural factors affecting mental well-being
• Assessing mental health conditions like depression and anxiety
• How to provide expert testimony
• How to organise, integrate and apply cognition research data

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Psychology

Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria to pursue Mental Health Courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

• UG Course Eligibility

To pursue a psychology course at the undergraduate level, candidates must appear in entrance examinations like CUCET, SAT, CUET UG, etc., and score valid marks. Students should pass the 10+2 board examination in any relevant stream from a recognised board like science, arts or commerce.

• PG Course Eligibility

When pursuing a course in psychology at the post-undergraduate level, like an MA, the eligibility criteria remain the same across most educational institutions. Students must have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related field from a recognised university. They should secure a minimum of 50 per cent in their bachelor’s degree. Candidate must qualify for entrance exams like CUET PG and NEET PG to get admission to their desired institute.

Psychology Course Duration

In India, the duration of a psychology course depends on the type and level of the program. Undergraduate psychology programs (BA/BSc) typically last 3 years, while postgraduate degrees (MA/MSc) take 2 years. Doctoral programs (PhD) generally require 3–5 years, depending on research completion. Specialised diploma and certificate courses vary from 6 months to 1 year, depending on the institution and curriculum.

Psychology Course Admission

Admission to Psychology courses in India varies by level. Undergraduate admissions require 10+2 qualification, often with merit-based or entrance exam selection. Postgraduate admissions consider bachelor’s degree performance and entrance exams like CUET-PG, DUET, or university-specific tests. PhD admissions involve entrance exams (UGC-NET, university tests) and interviews assessing research aptitude.

Your job objectives and hobbies determine the most appropriate psychology degree for you. Suppose you wish to specialise in a specific subfield of psychology, such as child psychology or forensic psychology. In that case, you should choose a major or focus that corresponds to your desired specialisation. If you’re unclear about your career path or wish to work in a broad sector such as health care, social work, or human resources, a general psychology degree is likely your best option.

You can look for professional guidance from the best psychologist in India at WellBeing Help. They provide clients with high-quality mental health and wellness services. You may schedule appointments for both in-person and online sessions.

About Author

The author is the best psychologist in India, offering holistic mental health treatment approaches. The expert has extensive knowledge of the field of psychology and aims to provide a deeper insight into the top psychology courses offered in India. Her work is inspiring to potential candidates willing to enter this industry.