Psych yourself up for success

Pave the way to a career in psychology with an innovative programme from the Management Development Institute of Singapore

Joshua Wong
Aug 12, 2018

IF YOU want to understand the complexities of the human mind or what drives our behaviour, then psychology might be the course for you.

The new Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology (Top-up) programme from the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) will give diploma holders the skills they need to pursue a career in this fascinating and wide-ranging field.

Founded in 1956, MDIS is the oldest not-for-profit private education institution
in Singapore.

It won the Best Private Education Institution for Psychology award at JobsCentral Learning’s Training & Education Development Awards 2016, and a Gold Standard for Psychology at the same awards ceremony last year.

Mr Christopher Jabines, (head of school) MDIS School of Psychology, says: “Psychology students at MDIS are equipped with the necessary knowledge and understanding of core areas in psychology, resulting in the development of specialised skills that would enable them to flourish in their chosen careers.”

Innovative and experiential

The new degree is awarded by Coventry University, one of the top 13 universities in the United Kingdom, as ranked in the Guardian University Guide 2019.

Conducted at the MDIS campus at Stirling Road, the one-year (full-time) or 18-month (part-time) programme allows those who already hold an MDIS Higher Diploma to proceed to a degree.

Local polytechnic graduates with relevant diplomas can also apply for the programme.

Says Mr Jabines: “The programme teaches students how to investigate people’s thoughts, feelings and behaviours using methodologies appropriate for psychological research.

“It also covers fundamental principles from a variety of perspectives in a way that allows students to reflect on the relevance of these perspectives.”

Apart from classroom learning, students will also get the chance to learn experientially through visits to mental health institutions, children’s homes, nursing homes and other voluntary welfare organisations.

After completing the programme, graduates can consider a variety of career options.

Most will work as clinical or counselling psychologists in either a private practice or therapy setting, shares Mr Jabines. Others may choose to develop a career in the corporate world, in areas such as consultancy, human resource management, business development and academia.