AB in Psychology in the Philippines

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Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (AB PSY) is a four-year degree program that helps students understand human behavior and different thinking processes through the use of basic scientific principles and psychological theories. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to assess and conduct empirical research regarding individual and group behavior by integrating subjects in personality, human development, and psychological testing.

Recommended Senior High School Strand

Students who want to pursue a degree in AB in Psychology are encouraged to take the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand under the Academic track. The curriculum focuses on human behavior, literature, education, politics, liberal arts, and society. The HUMSS strand will cover relevant topics that may be further discussed in their college lectures.

Subjects and Curriculum

General Psychology
Psychological Statistics
Developmental Psychology
Personality
Social Psychology
Psychological Assessment
Abnormal Psychology
Industrial Psychology and Counseling
Human Behavior in Organization

Admission Requirements

Qualifications

The student must be a high school graduate.

However, if they were not able to graduate high school, they may opt to take the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and pass the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) to qualify for college; the availability of courses for PEPT passers depend on the university.

The students must pass the College Admissions Test of the university.

Basic Requirements

Form 138 - High School Report Card (Original and Photocopy)
Recommendation letter from High school principal and guidance counselor
Most recent medical and dental health record
Copy of NSO Certified birth certificate
Certificate of Good moral character
Copy of honorable dismissal
Copy of high school diploma
(1) Latest 2”x2” ID Picture

Program Outcome

Graduates of BS in Psychology are expected to be able to:

Discuss and analyze Psychology’s major theories and concepts
Apply the methods of psychological research
Demonstrate application of psychological theories and methods in a professional and personal setting
Show capability for self-reflection and independent learning
Abide with ethics in the practicing Psychology
Create a harmonious interpersonal relationship in a diverse cultural setting with colleagues and clients
Conduct psychological assessments and evaluation

On-The-Job Training/Internship

During the fourth year of the program, students are required to attend an On the Job Training (OJT) in the human resource department and educational and research institutions.

Students are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an actual work setting. Usually, universities require them to submit a written report on their tasks, learning experiences, and hours rendered. Their work performance will also be evaluated by their immediate managers and will be submitted to their respective OJT coordinator. The number of hours required may differ in each university.

Board Exam

To become a Registered Psychometrician in the Philippines, a graduate of AB in Psychology needs to pass the Psychometrician Licensure Exam. The examination is conducted by the Board of Psychology under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).

Career Opportunities

Graduates of BS in Psychology may pursue a career path in human resource department and educational and research institutions. They may apply as a school counselor, vocational counselor, rehabilitation counselor, marriage, couple, and family counselor, substance abuse counselor, human resource associate, researcher, or a psychometrician.

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Reviews of AB in Psychology graduates:

L. E.

◈ Studied Bachelor of Science in Psychology (slightly different course)
◈ At St. Louis University
◈ Graduated 2006

About my college education: The curriculum is adequate & challenging in terms of theories & concepts. However, there may be a need to add practicum sites for the industrial and clinical settings, since the current practicum for students emphasize only on the educational and guidance & counseling settings.

Nonetheless, insight skills are highly needed to pass the course, since requirements for Psychology majors in the junior & senior years largely rely on reaction & reflection papers and on the student's ability to discern his/her client's situation during practicum. Self-discipline to study & do extra research is also greatly needed since quizzes are given almost everyday.

A good grasp of the English language is a necessity, as well, since the medium of teaching in the university is English.

My current job: At present, I'm a full time mother. But before I became a mom, I worked as a Psychologist in a non-government organization in the country, and as a Psychology Instructor in the same university.

Am I using what I learned in college: For my first job as a Psychologist, my theoretical background from SLU, was not so useful, since an actual experience in the clinical setting was needed for the job.
For my second job as a Psychology Instructor, my theoretical learning from the university was helpful. However, it was my clinical experience from my first job that was highly advantageous in the teaching field.

How long did it take to find a job: It only took me two months after graduation to land a job.

Do I recommend studying Psychology: I'd recommend BS Psychology in terms of employment since the graduate can be employed in many areas, since most, if not all fields are in need of a person with a background in Psychology.

Career fulfillment in this course depends on the matching of specialization that the graduate wants to focus on - i.e. A graduate who wants to be in the industrial field, but was employed as a guidance counselor would most likely be unsatisfied with his/her career.

Salaries of Psychology graduates in the country are varied, since it is dependent on the employer. Salaries in educational institutions are the highest, followed by the industrial setting. The lowest salary in my experience, comes from the clinical setting, except when the person holds a doctorate degree in Psychology and owns his/her private clinic.

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