PSYCH ONLINE TUTORS

There are a lot of rumors going around about the viability of the Honours degrees and the Masters processes. We don't believe in fuelling

rumours so here are two responses from professionals.

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What is the difference between an academic Honours degree in Psychology,  a B.Psych degree, a B.Psych Honours degree and a B.Psych equivalent? 

by Clement Petersen Psychometrist: Professional Board for Psychology of the HPCSA (06 February 2014)

 

Many students may assume that being in possession of an academic honours degree in Psychology qualifies them to automatically complete a practicum for six

months, write the national board exam and thereafter register either as a Registered Counsellor or Psychometrist, this unfortunately is not permitted. Registered Counsellors and Psychometrists are trained in a BPsych or BPsych equivalent qualification and it is important to note that a BPsych or its equivalent comprises

both academic and professional training. 

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A BPsych curriculum is an integrated one and cannot be achieved (as is often erroneously believed), by adding a six month practicum to an academic honours

degree. The academic honours degree is not sufficient, as it does not, and may according to the Health Professions Act (Act 56 of 1974), not include professional

training. There is a misconception that the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) accredits academic honours degrees. Academic Honours degree programmes in Psychology are not accredited by the HPCSA. 

 

Only Honours degrees with the academic and professional training and approved practicum incorporated into the programme have to be accredited. The following programmes are accredited by the HPCSA:

 

a)   BPsych degrees – An accredited BPsych degree is a 4 year degree programme. Students are selected at a first year level and continue with the academic and

       professional training as well as the practicum until the end of the 4 year programme.

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b)  BPsych Honours degrees – After completion of an undergraduate degree, a student would apply and go through a selection process for a BPsych Honours

     degree.  These degrees incorporate the approved 6 month face-to-face practicum and professional training. The duration of the degree programme is usually

     18 months.

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c)  B Psych equivalent degree programmes – These programmes are completed by students who are in possession of an academic honours programme and would

      like to register with the Board as either Psychometrist or Registered Counsellor. These programmes incorporate the professional training and practicum and     

      run concurrently during the 6 month practicum. Upon completion students exit with an equivalent to a BPsych degree.

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An accredited BPsych degree, BPsych Honours or BPsych equivalent should comply with the following requirements: 

 

1.  Students who are selected and enrolled for a professional training course should receive professional training from the university. 

 

2.  The internship site is not solely responsible for the professional training. 

 

3.  Students should not find their own internships. It is the responsibility of the university to place students within an internship. 

 

4.  Supervision is the responsibility of the university. Students need to attend weekly or bi-weekly supervision sessions at the university. 

 

5.  There should be regular contact with students for the duration of the 6 month practicum. 

 

Additional information on dual registrations with the HPCSA

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Persons wishing to register as a Registered Counsellor and Registered Psychometrist, have to complete accredited programmes for each category. Completing a BPsych degree or BPsych equivalent as a Registered Counsellor does not mean that one can automatically write the national board exam and register as a Psychometrist as well. For each category, specialised training needs to be completed. This means that if a student who has a BPsych degree qualification as a Registered Counsellor and would like to practice as a Psychometrist as well, the student would have to complete a BPsych equivalent programme in which the student will receive the professional training as a Psychometrist while completing an accredited practicum, followed by writing the national board exam and upon successfully passing the exam, the student may apply for registration as a Psychometrist with the HPCSA.

 

Official response by Prof Maria Papaikonomou Associate Professor Department of Psychology UNISA (06 February 2014) sent to Carinna Krantz, Vice Chair Psychometrics Coordinator of the RCP division of Psyssa:

 

The B Psych Equivalence program is being suspended from 2013. We are in the process of restructuring the program and we might be in a position to offer it again in 2016. There are certain UNISA management and HPCSA requirements that we need to attend to before the program can be offered again. The requirements for application in 2016 (provided that the program restructuring process is completed) will probably change. We will keep our website updated.  

 

I am really disappointed with the incorrect information the HPCSA is sending out to the students.  The Honours degree in Psychology has nothing to do with the HPCSA.

It is our BPsych Equivalence programme (internship) which the HPCSA asked us to restructure.  The Honours degree in Psychology and the internship are two separate entities.  Students must remember that there was a selection process and a limit on the number of students who could enrol for the internship programme. There was

no guarantee that a student would be accepted in the B Psych Equivalence internship programme automatically after the completion of their Honours degree in psychology. 

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Our Honours degree in Psychology is accredited and valid as it has always been. The same applies to our BA degrees. 

 

The options of doing a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, Research Psychology and Masters by dissertation still remain open after the honours degree in psychology.

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