Psychology Subjects List: Year-wise Syllabus, Semesters, Specializations & Books

Jasmine Dang AroraDeputy Manager-Content
Psychology subjects are all about understanding human behaviour in a deeper sense that is backed by scientific principles and findings. It encourages scientific temperament in students when it comes to analysing different types of human behaviour. The cognitive skills, social and cultural impact on the human brain and various other concepts are associated with this discipline. Functions of the central nervous system, the role of neurons in communication, and many other aspects are also covered in psychology courses. It also focuses on how the thinking and nervous system develop when a person enters adulthood from childhood.
- Important Facts for Psychology Subjects
- List of Subjects in Psychology
- Detailed Subjects for Psychology
- Specialisations offered in Psychology
- Books and Authors Related to Psychology Subjects
- Entrance Exams for Psychology
- Distance Programme in Psychology Subjects
- Top Colleges for Psychology in India
- FAQs Regarding Psychology Subjects
Important Facts for Psychology Subjects
The following section brings the various aspects of the Psychology course and syllabus.
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BSc in Psychology is a six-semester course: Psychology provides insights into different types of human personalities and behaviour.
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Branches of Psychology: There are seven branches of Psychology, viz. Media, Educational, Community, Criminal, Industrial, Animal, and Clinical Psychology.
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Scope in India: Upon completing a BSc in Psychology, students can take up job roles in health, medical, wellness, and other industries. Therefore, it has a great scope in India.
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Psychology Subjects in NIIT: The psychology subjects offered by NIIT revolves around:
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Sensation and perception concepts
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Human memory processes
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Sensory memory
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Autobiographical memory
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Procedural memory
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Emotional expressions in life
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Significance of human expression and biological aspects of responses that are emotional in nature.
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Psychology Subjects in IIT: Some of the Psychology courses offered by IITs are given below:
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Cognitive psychology
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Applied positive psychology
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Emotion and cognition
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Community psychology
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History and systems of psychology
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Psychological interventions
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General Examination Pattern: The performance of students is determined on the basis of a written exam and practical exam scores. Projects, mid-term exams, and semester exams are also held to evaluate their progress.
List of Subjects in Psychology
Typical Core Subjects for Psychology
Subject Name |
Syllabus |
---|---|
Introduction to Psychology |
Introduction about emotions, stress factors, well-being, different consciousness states, perception and attention, creativity and intelligence, etc., are covered in this subject. |
Behaviour and Environment |
Emphasis on concepts related to learning, cognition, memory, endocrine system, methods and characteristics of physiological psychology, etc., are covered in this subject. |
Psychological Approaches to Environment |
Steps and nature of psychological research, hypothesis, variables and problems, the normal curve, qualitative and quantitative analysis, interview methods, etc., are covered in this subject. |
Community Psychology and Social Psychology |
Understanding of the students regarding social and emotional development, concerns related to human development, issues and problems associated with human development, development of cognitive thinking, the impact of society and culture on human development, etc., are developed in this subject. |
Psychological Scaling, Scaling Methods, and Assessment Parameters |
Concepts associated with demography, behaviour and environment, ecology and its impact on human development. Scaling methods, psychological tests, assessment parameters, human assessment: its nature and scope, environmental wisdom, etc., are covered under this subject. |
The elective subjects offered by psychology courses are given below:
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Statistics
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Political Science
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Sociology
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Social Work
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Public Affairs
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Criminal Justice
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Health Sciences
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English Composition
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Biology
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Anthropology
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Communications
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History
Detailed Subjects for Psychology
A general description of the psychology syllabus is given in the below table:
Core/Elective Subject |
Subject Title |
Syllabus |
---|---|---|
Core Paper 1 |
Introductory Psychology |
Introduction to psychology, along with definitions, concepts, and key perspectives, are discussed in detail in this subject.
Case studies, correlational methods, experiments, and other psychology methods are also explained in Introductory Psychology.
Functions and structure of neurons, communication between and inside neurons, functions of the central nervous system and its structure, and related topics are covered in this subject.
Consciousness, its nature, and extended states are discussed in detail here.
|
Core Paper 2 |
Basic Environmental Processes |
Basics of human development along with factors and principles that govern it are discussed in this subject.
How life forms from embryonic, foetal, and other stages, along with social and emotional development of kids, are discussed in this subject.
Cognitive development, motor and physical developments, and related concepts are also covered here.
Development of self and personality, the role of gender, gender differences, etc., are also covered in detail in this subject. |
Core Paper 3 |
Basic Psychological Processes |
Concepts surrounding perception and sensation, along with sensory adaptation and thresholds, are explained here.
Memory and its types, classical conditioning and its principles and nature, along with reasons for amnesia and other issues connected with forgetting, are explained in this subject.
Topics related to language, communication, language acquisition, language development and its stages, error in speech, etc., are covered in this subject.
Concepts and types of reasoning and thinking, deductive and inductive thinking, making and influencing decisions, and associated topics are also explained here. |
Core Paper 4 |
Processes of Human Development |
Heredity, environment, intelligence, and ways of calculating intelligence are covered in this subject.
Theories surrounding emotions, arousal, drive, etc., are explained here.
Personality traits, biological and sociocultural impact on personality, social cognitive theory, Freud’s theory, etc., are covered here.
Social information and its processing, social cognition meaning, meaning and errors related to attribution, personal growth, happiness, and other concepts are explained in this subject. |
Core Paper 6 |
Psychological Statistics |
Fundamentals of statistics, its scope and meaning, types of data and its graphical representation, measurement levels, etc., are discussed in this subject.
An overview of statistical measures, including central tendency, variability, and related concepts, are discussed here.
Probability, correlation, kurtosis, skewness, and related concepts are covered in this subject.
Hypothesis testing is also taught in this subject. |
Core Paper 6 |
Social Psychology |
Scope, goal, methods, and nature of Social Psychology, social cognition, and its related concepts are taught in this subject.
An understanding of stereotypes, attitudes, and prejudice is developed with a focus on concepts related to them.
Introduction to group and leadership and their structures and functions is also given in this subject.
An understanding of social behaviour with reference to aggression, pro-social behaviour, personality traits, etc., is explained in this subject. |
Core Paper 7 |
Environmental Psychology |
Concepts related to ecology, man and environment, earth as a living space, impact of environmental factors on human behaviour, etc., are discussed in this subject.
An understanding of ecology, environmental issues like global warming, depletion of energy, etc., along with the importance of sustainable development and related concepts, are explained here.
An explanation regarding psychological approaches to the environment, Field theory approach, and related theories is given in this subject.
Environmental awareness, the impact of the environment on society and psychology, and associated concepts are also included in this subject. |
Core Paper 8 |
Psychopathology |
Basics of pathology, abnormal behaviour concepts and reasons, the impact of social, cultural, and cognitive perspectives, etc., are taught in this subject.
An understanding of mood disorder, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depressive disorder, personality disorders, schizophrenia, treatments, etc., are also covered in this subject. |
Core Paper 9 |
Educational Psychology |
Concepts related to educational psychology, classroom management, motivation, aptitude, creativity, etc., are discussed in this subject. |
Core Paper 10 |
Psychological Assessment |
Scope and nature of human assessment, scaling methods, psychological scaling, psychological tests, classroom assessment, ability assessment, and related concepts are discussed in detail in this subject. |
Core Paper 11 |
Organisational Behaviour |
The historical context of organisational behaviour with reference to studies of Fayol, Taylor, Weber, and perspectives of human relations, social and technical approaches, etc., are discussed in this subject.
Organisation systems, decision-making systems in organisations, leadership and its types, etc., are covered in this subject.
Theories related to power, work, and politics are also explained in detail here.
A brief study of human resource development and evaluation is also presented here. |
Core Paper 12 |
Health Psychology |
Introduction to health psychology, nature of stress, causes of stress, stress management, etc., are covered in this subject.
An understanding of illness and health and its correlation with psychological factors is developed.
Concepts related to diet management, exercise, yoga, symptom perception, etc., are taught in this subject.
Health issues of kids, women, and elderly people and their effects on Psychology are also discussed here. |
Core Paper 13 |
Counselling Psychology |
Counselling basics, theories and methods of counselling, counselling programs, applications, and related concepts are discussed in detail here. |
Core Paper 14 |
Positive Psychology |
Historical roots of Positive Psychology, positive emotions, concepts related to flow and happiness, ways, and precursors to positive psychology are covered in this subject. |
Elective Paper 1 |
Psychological Research and Measurement |
Nature of scientific methods, psychological research, psychological data, different types of scaling, scaling methods, construction of tests, and related concepts are discussed in this subject. |
Elective Paper 2 |
Psychological and Social Issues |
Understanding of social systems, health and well-being, poverty and deprivation, antisocial behaviour, the role of behaviour in health issues, etc., is developed. |
Elective Paper 3 |
Psychology of Disability |
Concepts related to disability, its types, diagnostic and assessment methods, theories and models associated with disability, access issues, disability support, and several other concepts are discussed in detail here. |
Elective Paper 4 |
Dissertation/Research Project |
Students will be expected to do a project that includes research on psychological studies with the supervision and assistance of teachers. |
Elective Paper 5 |
Psychology of Crime |
Introduction to crime, criminal behaviour and theories surrounding it, controlling and preventing crimes, special victims, and other important topics related to crime are covered in this subject. |
Specialisations offered in Psychology
Psychology subject specialisations are given in the below table:
Specialisation |
Details |
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Clinical Psychology |
It involves studies related to treating mental issues like anxiety, stress, depression, grief, etc., through professional medical techniques. |
Cognitive Psychology |
Concepts like memory loss, language, problem-solving, cognitive skills, etc., are covered under this area of specialisation. |
Development Psychology |
It includes studies related to the development of the human brain and emotions during their lifespan. |
Counselling Psychology |
It covers issues that individuals face while adjusting to a new place, organisation, college, etc., and the counselling methods that can help them overcome their problems. |
Educational Psychology |
It focuses on enhancing learning practises starting with schools, colleges, and other academic institutions where individuals get an opportunity to demonstrate their skills. |
Forensic Psychology |
By grasping the concepts related to this specialisation, psychologists can help lawyers and police track the mindset of criminals and gather forensic evidence. |
Social Psychology |
This area of specialisation focuses on human feelings and how it gets affected due to others. |
Books and Authors Related to Psychology Subjects
Here are some books that candidates who are interested in taking up psychology courses should refer to:
Subject |
Name of Book |
Author/Publication |
Details |
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Human Intelligence |
Encyclopaedia of Human Intelligence |
MacMillan |
All the aspects related to human IQ are discussed in this book. |
Social Psychology |
Handbook of Social Psychology |
Random House |
Socialization issues, the role of sex, power, and leadership in making decisions are covered by this book. |
Clinical Psychology |
Handbook of Stress: Theoretical and Clinical Aspects |
Free Press |
Research, questionnaires and tests related to the treatment of stress and other psychological issues are explained in this book. |
Human Assessment |
Advances in Personality Assessment |
Hillsdale, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates (NJ) |
New techniques and advancements related to personality assessment are discussed in this book. |
Human Behaviour |
Review of behaviour therapy: Theory and Practise (Irregular) |
Guilford Press |
Different aspects of human behaviour and personality are explained in this book. |
Psychology |
The Psychoanalytic Study of The Child |
New Haven, CT: Yale University |
Analytical study regarding the psychology and development of emotions in a child are discussed in this book. |
General Psychology |
Encyclopaedia of Psychology |
Wiley |
Concepts related to general psychology are explained in this book. |
Human Emotions |
The Happiness Hypothesis |
Jonathan Haidt |
Impact of morality, religions, consciousness, etc., on human psychology, is dissected using scientific studies in this book. |
Psychology |
The Little Book of Psychology |
Emily Ralls and Caroline Riggs |
Key theories and overview of psychology are explained in this book. |
Social Psychology |
The Lucifer Effect: How Good People Turn Evil |
Philip Zimbardo |
The fine line between good and bad is explained beautifully in this book. |
Entrance Exams for Psychology
The entrance exams that one needs to appear in for securing admission in UG Psychology courses are given below:
The entrance tests that one can appear in for securing admission in PG Psychology courses are mentioned below:
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Pondicherry University Entrance Test
Distance Programme in Psychology Subjects
A distance Program in Psychology is usually a three-year programme that focuses on both core and elective subjects that are included in the regular curriculum. Therefore, the syllabus of distance education is identical to that of the regular offline course.
Top Colleges for Psychology in India
Some of the top colleges for psychology in India are given below:
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FAQs Regarding Psychology Subjects
Q: What is the scope of Psychology?
Q: What are the subjects covered in psychology?
- Introduction to Psychology
- Behaviour and Environment
- Psychological Approaches to Environment
- Community Psychology and Social Psychology
- Psychological Scaling, Scaling Methods, and Assessment Parameters
Q: Which is better, BA Psychology or BSc Psychology?
Q: Does psychology require clearing NEET?
Q: Which type of Psychology is the best?
Q: Is there any entrance exam for psychology?
- DUET - Delhi University Entrance Test
- CUCET - Central University Common Entrance Test
- JMI Entrance Exam
- MU-CET - Manipal University Online Entrance Test
- BHU Postgraduate Entrance Test
Q: Is JEE required for taking up Psychology courses?
Q: Is Psychology hard to study?
Q: Do you need to know Math to study Psychology?
Q: Is Biology compulsory for BSc Psychology?
Q: Can PCB students do a BSc in Psychology?
Popular Psychology Colleges in India
Popular Private Psychology Colleges in India
Psychology Applications open. Apply Now
Psychology Applications open. Apply Now
Most Popular Courses
Popular Courses
- Master of Personnel Management and Industrial Relations (MPMIR)Banaras Hindu University
- M.A. in PsychologyBanaras Hindu University
- B.A. (Hons.) in Applied Psychology (International)Amity University, Noida
- B.A. (Hons.) in Applied PsychologyAmity University, Noida
- Integrated B.A. + M.A. in Clinical PsychologyAmity University, Noida
- M.A. in Clinical PsychologyAmity University, Noida
- M.A. in Organisational PsychologyAmity University, Noida
- B.A. (Hons.) in PsychologyJamia Millia Islamia
- B.A. (Hons.) in PsychologyLady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi
- B.A. (Hons.) in PsychologyDr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi, Kashmere Gate
Popular Psychology UG Courses in India
UG Courses
- B.A.
941 Colleges
- B.Sc.
231 Colleges
- B.A. (Hons)
25 Colleges
- UG Diploma
9 Colleges
- B.Voc
3 Colleges
Popular Psychology PG Courses in India
PG Courses
- M.A.
525 Colleges
- M.Sc.
153 Colleges
- PG Diploma
81 Colleges
- M.Phil
13 Colleges
- MBA/PGDM
10 Colleges
Popular Psychology Specializations in India
Popular Specializations
- Clinical Psychology
100 Colleges
- Applied Psychology
62 Colleges
- Personnel Management
26 Colleges
News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered 7 hours ago
Both the courses are almost equally good with respect to placement.
For the B.A. in Psychology program, the course focuses on applying psychological concepts, theories, and processes to various fields such as health, business, society, spirituality, and education.The programme aims to develop researc
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Answered 3 days ago
To take admission in BA (Hons) Psychology candidates can appear for JMI entrance exam. Like the syllabus of many other subjects, the syllabus of BA (Hons) Psychology also consists of four subjects: Language Skills, General Awareness, Reasoning and Social Awareness. Candidates can prepare for Jamia e
V
Answered 3 days ago
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Answered 6 days ago
Chandigarh University (CU) takes a multifaceted approach to prepare Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
(Hons.) students for successful placements. The curriculum prioritizes practical skills development,
integrating lab sessions in applied areas like Biopsychology and Rehabilitation Psychology. CU mainta
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Answered a week ago
Chandigarh University prioritizes the overall development and employability of Bachelor Of Arts- Psychology (Hons.) students through a comprehensive strategy. The program's diverse curriculuum, covering Biopsychology, Applied Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology and more, combines theoretical
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Answered a week ago
Courses | Eligibility |
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B.E. / B.Tech | Candidate must have completed 17 years of age as on the 31st December 2023. |
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Answered a week ago
Chandigarh University's collaboration with industry partners ensures meaningful and diverse placement opportunities for Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Hons.) students through a structured and mutually beneficial approach. Industry professionals actively contribute to curriculum design, aligning acad
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Answered a week ago
Chandigarh University's Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Hons.) programme opens doors to diverse employment opportunities, with various sectors actively recruiting graduates. In the healthcare industry, hospitals and mental health organizations seek candidates for roles like clinical psychologists and
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Answered a week ago
As a recent Master of Arts in Psychology graduate from Chandigarh University, I can affirm the university's dedication to securing promising career opportunities for its graduates. The placement statistics reflect a high rate of success in diverse fields both within and beyond psychology. Chandigarh
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Answered a week ago
Chandigarh University's Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Hons.) curriculum significantly contributes to the high placement success of its graduates by focusing on a well-rounded blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The programme covers diverse subjects like Biopsychology, Applied Socia
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Answered a week ago
Chandigarh University (CU) employs a multifaceted approach to support the placements of Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (Hons.) graduates, recognizing the competitive nature of the field. The curriculum is designed to provide a robust theoretical foundation and practical skills, with hands-on learning
R
Answered a week ago
Goldsmiths, University of London BSc (Hons.) Psychology tuition fees for international students is £20,840. Besides paying the tuition fees, the applicants are required to pay the additional costs. The living expenses will vary according to personal circumstances and choices. The rough estimate of w
Answered a week ago
Goldsmiths, University of London admissions requirements for BSc (Hons.) Psychology course are:
- Higher Secondary School Certificate at Class 12 from either CBSE / CISCE / ICSE and Metro state boards
- Diploma (2-4 years) from a Polytechnic / College of Technology / Professional institute
- IELTS score of 6
Answered a week ago
According to Times Higher Education subject rankings for Psychology degree in the UK for 2024, Goldsmiths, University of London has been ranked at #25 position in the UK. In short, it is one of the Top 25 universities in the UK to pursue Psychology. Other universities that are in the top list to pur
Answered 2 weeks ago
As the last year's placements offered and gained by the students at BIMHRD, or the Balaji Institute of Management Human Resource Development (BIMHRD) are high in MBA Market Management because there is much demand for marketing when compared with MBA in Personnel Management and Human Resources. So, c
N
Answered 2 weeks ago
IMS offers BSc programs in both psychology and animation, the BSc in psychology programme is anticipated to offer stronger placement prospects given its graduate-level nature, potentially facilitating job opportunities in reputable companies. The BSc animation programme is to provide undergraduate a
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Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes, sure you can.
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Answered 3 weeks ago
Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling offers various Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in the field of Psychology and Counselling. JSPC course admission is based on the entrance exam, namely JSAT, SAT, ACT, LSAT and Jindal - PMAT. Candidates can check out the table below to know about the
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, students of Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling can apply for various scholarships offered by OP Jindal Global University. Jindal Global University offers only Merit cum Means Scholarships every year. The university follows a comprehensive scholarship policy, which includes various para
Answered 3 weeks ago
Candidates can apply in various fields after graduating from Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling. Check out the table below to know in which sector students can get placed:
Sector | Opportunities |
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Education | Project Manager or Career Counsellor School Career/ Guidance Counsellor |
Counselling | Family and Relationship Expert Career in Counselling or Clinical Psychology |
Social Work Sector | NGOs: Programme Officer/ Welfare Officer Community Mental Health Care Settings |
Research | Research Assistant/Analyst/Coordinator Institutional and Field Work |
Healthcare | Community/ Youth Educators and Advocates Mental Health/Addiction/Rehab Technician or Counsellor |
Industry or Organisation | Behavioural Analyst and Human Resources Business Development and Management Consultant |
Answered 3 weeks ago
Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling psych laboratory provides a modern workspace for all faculty and students. The laboratory has space for student instruction-providing ample opportunity for students to gain first-hand training and understanding in experimental design and analysis. The lab
Answered 3 weeks ago
Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling campus is well-equipped with excellent facilities to fulfil the needs of students and staff. The facilities include separate boys and girls hostel, well-stocked library, multi-cuisine food court, Â 24*7 health centres with medical officers, on-campus laundr
Answered 3 weeks ago
Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling faculty members have rich research experience and publication record. JSPC has more than 40 faculty members. JSPC faculty members hold diverse experience in academics, industry and private practice. Tabulated below is the list of a few faculty members at J
Answered 3 weeks ago
Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling focuses on developing leaders in the fields of Psychology and Counselling. The institute has World class faculty with rich and diverse experience in research and publication, and also JSPC has International collaborations.Â
The domain-wise career opportunit
A
Answered 3 weeks ago
You can do courses related to criminal psychology .You can do LL.M and specialize in Human Rights law / constitution.
In addition to LL.M, you can explore about -
- PG Diploma in corporate lawÂ
- Diploma in criminologyÂ
- Diploma in forensic scienceÂ
- M.A History
- MSW
What I suggest you that I you want to be a phe
Answered 3 weeks ago
 Yes, the University of Amsterdam offers Bachelor of Science in Psychology. It is ranked #58 in World University Ranking - QS 2023. The Bachelor of Science in Psychology programme provides students with an understanding of the mind, brain, and behavior. The student must select a major or topic spec
Answered 3 weeks ago
The entry requirements for B.Sc in Psychology is mentioned below:
Students with an international Diploma are eligible to apply if their Diploma is similar to the Dutch pre-university Diploma and includes the following:
- Mathematics
- Â English
as part of your final examinations.Â
Along with Minimum test scor
Answered 3 weeks ago
 A non-refundable €100 application fee is needed for all students enrolling in an English-taught Bachelor's degree programme with an international diploma.Â
The application cost of €100 can only be paid by credit card. Following the completion of your application form, you will be required to pay the
Answered a month ago
BA (Hons) in Psychology is offered by Lady Shri Ram College by its Psychology department. Admission to the course is through CUET. Moreover, as per the DU UG Admission Bulleting 2023, the total seat intake for the course is 71. In addition, the fee for the course, including tuition fees and some oth
M
Answered a month ago
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