Areas of Psychology Specialisations in India: Types and Courses Offered

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Associate Senior Executive

Updated on Apr 1, 2025 16:27 IST

Several colleges in India offer various courses in Psychology. Within the degree and diploma courses, there are several specialisations that students can choose from. Let's find out what these psychology specialisations are.

Specialisations in Psychology Courses - With the increase of social and personal stresses post-pandemic, the demand for good psychologists is on the rise. Students from across the country are choosing to get a higher education in psychology. Numerous universities and colleges offer psychology courses at different levels of education, like undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, PhD, diplomas and certificate courses. The curriculum of Psychology courses (degree courses) allows students to pick from various specialisations. They can choose their specialisations based on interest, the field of psychology that they wish to work in, strong subjects, etc. From Clinical Psychologists to Counselling to Child Psychology, there are various specialisations that students can pick from. Let us learn some more about these specialisations in the article below.

Also Read: Top MSc Psychology Colleges in India: Admission Process, Eligibility & Fees

Psychology Courses - Overview

Before getting into the list of psychology specialisations, check out some key details about psychology courses in the table below.

Particulars	Details
Course Level	Graduation, Post-Graduation, Doctoral
Course Duration	Graduation: 3 Years Post Graduation: 2 Years Doctoral : 3 Years
Eligibility	Graduation: Should have passed class 12 from a recognised board and secured a minimum of 50% Post Graduation: Should have graduated from a recognised board and secured a minimum of 45%
Admission Process	Entrance Exams, Interviews
Entrance Exams	JUET, CUET, YCMOU, etc.
Top Institutes	Christ University, LSR, Amity University, Fergusson College, Indraprastha College for Women, Gargi College, JMI, IGNOU, Presidency College, TISS, etc.
Fees	INR 21,000 - INR 13 lakh
Average Annual Salary	INR 1.1 lakh - INR 8 lakh
Job Profiles	Clinical Psychologists, Consultants, Psychotherapists, Therapists, Practitioners, Counsellors, etc.
Top Recruiters	Amity University, T&A Solutions, Fortis Healthcare, Shiv Nadar University, Roots and Routes Counselling & Psychotherapy Centre, ACRO, Pearson, etc.

Eligibility Requirements for Various Psychology Courses

Aspiring psychology students must have the following educational qualifications to enrol on a psychology programme.

Course	Duration	Eligibility Criteria
BA in Psychology	3-Years	The candidate needs to have done their Class 12 from a recognised board in any stream and should have secured a minimum of 45% aggregate.
BSc in Psychology	3-Years	The candidate needs to have done their Class 12 from a recognised board in the Science stream and should have secured a minimum of 45% aggregate.
MA in Psychology	2-Years	The candidate needs to have done their Graduation from a recognised University in BA or BA Psychology or any similar subject and should have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate.
MSc Psychology	2-Years	The candidate should have done their BSc in Psychology or any similar subject in their graduation from a recognised University and should have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate.
PhD	2 to 4 Years	The candidate should have done their MA/MSc/MPhil in a specialised discipline from a recognised University and should have secured a minimum of 60% aggregate.
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology Counselling	1-Year	The candidate should have done their graduation in Psychology or a similar field from a recognised University and should have secured a minimum of 50%.

Specialisations in Psychology

Students are taught a bit of everything during the initial years of their undergraduate psychology programmes, where students can develop an interest in a specialized field. During the final year and postgraduate programmes, students get to choose their desired specialisations. They can dedicate this time of their education to gain more in-depth knowledge and become more proficient in these areas of specialisation. The types and areas of psychology specialisations are as follows.

Clinical Psychology

This is one of the specialisations where professionals assess and treat people through medical practices. Professionals can be therapists who deal with psychological crises such as grief, anxiety, depression and also treat individuals who suffer from chronic psychiatric disorders. Psychiatrists work in clinics, hospitals, rehab centres, health centres or private practices.

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive Psychology, is a specialisation where people study human mental processes from a scientific perspective. It is the study of the mind as an information processor. Psychologists study topics such as memory, perception, language, problem-solving skills and more. In cognitive psychology, neuroscientific techniques are used like brain scanning. People who aim to pursue a course in Cognitive Psychology generally have to study science and mathematics during their high school years.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology deals with the study of how individuals, groups and societies develop intellectually, socially and emotionally over a lifespan. The field can cover children or adolescents. Psychologists do their research work and generally apply their theories and help other psychologists in their practices. People act as consultants, advisors or be a part of social service agencies and can also go on to do their PhD and teach as professors and lecturers.

Counselling Psychology

This specialisation is one of the common practices where Psychologists focus on people with adjustment problems. Psychologists act as counsellors at various organisations, companies, including the Human Resources department, in Schools, Universities, health centres and can have private practices as well. Psychologists counsel people and guide them with their problems and troubles. They study the pattern of behaviour and how one can overcome problems in a simple and positive way.

Educational Psychology

Psychologists in this field attempt to develop techniques to enhance learning processes and start with schools, colleges, universities, institutes, academies, etc. Educational Psychologists help students develop new techniques to present their skills, open up, become from attentive and help them with issues which affect them in school and personal life. Psychologists use theories which study the patterns and behaviour of children from all ages, be it age 7 to age 16. By using various techniques and methods, Educational Psychologists help children with various learning processes.

Forensic Psychology

Here, Psychologists use their skills to deduce and analyse crime investigations and help the law in criminal investigations. Psychologists are practised in the field and are required to participate in prison counselling or rehabilitation programmes. Forensic Psychologists help lawyers and teams involved with criminal prosecutions. One of the most exciting and thrilling careers out there, which is as realistic as it can get.

Social Psychology

Social Psychologists study how behaviours, beliefs, and feelings are affected by others. Psychologists deal with behaviour patterns such as attitude formation and change, aggression, prejudice and interpersonal attraction. Psychologists work in social service centres, their methods are used in organisations, companies, where generally such emotions are brought out.

Note - Students who wish to pursue a higher education in psychology must understand that to become a Psychiatrist, students must become medical doctors. Psychiatrists can legally prescribe medicine for mental disorders while psychologists, therapists, counsellors, etc. cannot.

Colleges Offering Psychology Courses in India

Studnets interested in pursuing psychology courses can refer to the table below to know about colleges offering Psychology courses in India.

Lady Shri Ram (LSR) College	IGNOU
St. Paul’s College	Amity University
NIMS University	SGT University
Jain University	Delhi University
University of Mumbai	>> Check More Colleges

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About the Author

Aayushi Madavi

Associate Senior Executive

Aayushi is a BAJMC graduate and an ardent consumer of content with a keen passion for film, TV and books. She specialises in Mass Communication and Humanities related exams, entrances and courses.