Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) - 2010
- Available at Albany
- Available at Manawatu
- Available Extramurally
- Note: Not all papers are available at all campuses
- Switch to 2009 information for this programme
Psychology covers a very broad range of topics, but at its simplest level it is the scientific study of the ways people act and interact. Psychology helps people make sense of the human impact on the world in which they live. The goal of psychology is to understand, describe, and predict behaviour.
Introduction
Psychology explores the thoughts, feelings, and actions of individuals and groups in a social, and cultural context. You can study the brain and behaviour, memory, personality, social behaviour and more. Psychology is a growing and ever-changing subject that helps people understand more about themselves and others - that is what makes it so fascinating.
The two 100-level Psychology papers introduce you to the basic concepts in Psychology: one from the Social perspective and the other from the Scientific perspective. The other compulsory paper is the 200-level Introduction to Psychological Research paper, which has to be passed before commencing the 300-level papers. For the rest of the major you can select papers which are of interest to you.
Back to topCareer opportunities
Any setting where knowledge of human behaviour and interactions is useful may employ someone with knowledge of psychology, including:
- counselling
- human resources
- public health
- rehabilitation psychology
- scientific research
- special education
Student profile
Alison McKinlay
Psychology is an area I knew I was intrigued by since I was 15 years old from when I filled in a careers survey in my high-school transition class. My most likely career matches were roles within the communications industry or psychology field. At that point in my life, psychology was in the too hard basket, but I never stopped thinking about human behaviour and trying to make sense of my immediate social situations.
After a year of studying journalism at another University, I came to a cross road in my life. I decided to look into what my options were if I wanted to take up studying psychology. Massey was the most flexible university that had a good reputation. Because there are three campuses (Albany, Manawatu and Wellington). Three months later I was living in Wellington in a Massey student apartment studying psychology and I've never looked back!
I knew that I was hooked from that first year after having many philosophical conversations with my new found friends about psychology and human behaviour. I wanted to know more and decided I would like to contribute in furthering what we consider 'knowledge' with regards to psychology.
Eventually, my ultimate goal is to run my own firm where I can practice clinical psychology privately, but I know I have a long journey ahead of me to get there. Right now, I'm doing everything I can to become accepted into the Massey doctoral programme in clinical psychology. I see studying psychology as a stepping stone to my overall long term goal and I'm excited to see where my studies take me!
