 Here are some of the basic branches of psychology.
|Field||What It Is All About|
|Biological Psychology||The study of brain function at the neuron and neurotransmitter level, and how it can influence thoughts, behaviour and emotions.|
|Clinical Psychology||Relates to assessing and treating serious mental disorders and psychiatric problems (e.g. depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia).|
|Counselling Psychology||Focuses on solving a diverse range of everyday problems and disorders with less severe symptoms, such as marital conflict, career advice and coping with negative events.|
|Cognitive Psychology||Deals with the study of mental processes such as learning, memory, problem-solving, decision-making and perception.|
|Educational Psychology||Deals with the psychology of teaching and seeks to understand and improve how people learn in educational settings.|
|Forensic Psychology||The application of psychology in the field of criminal investigation and law. Applications include performing psychological assessments for criminals, evaluating a witness’s credibility and criminal profiling.|
|Industrial and Organisational Psychology||Relates to improving productivity and efficiency in the workplace while maximising the physical and mental well-being of employees.|
|Social Psychology||Deals with how people's thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by others, whether real, imagined or implied.|
#2. Psychology Course Requirements
a) What are the subjects required to study psychology?
Here are the psychology subject requirements for SPM or equivalent:
As for A-Level, STPM or equivalent, there are no required subjects. However, the following subjects are recommended:
- A Science subject (e.g. Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
b) Diploma in Psychology requirements
These are the general entry requirements for a Diploma in Psychology:
- SPM (or equivalent): Minimum of 3Cs and pass in Mathematics and Science
c) Psychology Degree Requirements
To pursue a Degree in Psychology, you need to complete a pre-university programme and meet the entry requirements.
- A-Level: Minimum of 2Es
- STPM: Minimum of 2Cs
- Australian Matriculation: Minimum of ATAR 60
- Foundation in Arts or Foundation in Science: Minimum CGPA of 2.00
- Diploma: Minimum CGPA of 2.00
In addition, you will also need a minimum of 3Cs in SPM including Mathematics and Science, and a pass in English.
#3. Studying a Psychology Course in Malaysia
a) What subjects will you study in a psychology course?
As part of your psychology studies, you will learn the fundamental principles of psychology and apply them to solve problems related to the human mind and behaviour.
Here are some of the subjects you will learn:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Personality, Motivation & Emotions
- Counselling Psychology
Most universities and colleges will also require you to complete supervised fieldwork in the form of industrial training or an internship. This is where you’ll gain real-world experiences working in NGOs, human resource departments or other corporate organisations.
b) How long does it take to study psychology?
A Diploma in Psychology will usually take 2 – 2.5 years to complete. A Psychology Degree, on the other hand, takes longer with a duration of 3 years.
However, in order to become a psychologist, you will need to obtain at least a master’s in a specialised field of psychology, such as clinical psychology, neuropsychology or forensic psychology. This will take approximately 1 – 2 years of full-time study or up to 3 years of part-time study.
c) How much does it cost to study psychology in Malaysia?
The estimated cost to pursue a Degree in Psychology is between RM40,000 – RM120,000.
#4. How to Be a Psychologist in Malaysia
How long does it take to become a psychologist? The road to becoming a qualified psychologist is not as simple as you may think. Read on to discover the qualifications you’ll need to become a psychologist and how long it will take.
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