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 Diploma In Psychology & Community Services (N77) 


WE ARE THE FIRST
JOIN THE TRENDSETTERS! 

CHANGE Mindsets

Join PCS

The School of Humanities is the first amongst the polytechnics to establish a Diploma in Psychology. We are well-recognized by more than 30 governmental and industry partners, both locally and overseas, with collaboration on student assignments, research projects and internships.

Giving you that something xtra

  • Strong emphasis on different aspects of psychology augmented wth applied skills in counselling and community services

  • Innovative, experiential and integrated projects

  • Work on HMS' flagship social project, Dialogue in the Dark, a new learning facility on NP campus
     
  • Advancement to degree and careers as psychologists, counsellors and social workers

  • Overseas study trips and internships to work with psychologists or community workers

CHANGE Mindsets


About the Diploma 

Do you want to make a difference in someone's life? Want to help a child going through trauma, counsel distressed youths, or secure support for the elderly and disabled? The Diploma in Psychology & Community Services (PCS) helps you become a change agent who identifies, prevents and resolves prevailing social problems.

PCS offers a strong emphasis on psychological theories and developments. You will be grounded in the fundamental and different aspects of psychology – lifespan psychology, social psychology, health psychology and biopsychology.

You will also build up your skills in other areas such as communication and applied counselling, social research and IT applications. Learn about personality and individual differences, crisis intervention, and working with individuals and the community. Enrichment modules will introduce you to new aspects of psychology and therapeutic methods.

Our rigorous and well-balanced curriculum includes experiential learning with field trips and hands-on practicum. In your final year, you can go on a five-month local or overseas internship. Our local partners include the Prison Service, MINDS, APSN, family services, diagnostic and therapy centres. Alternatively, you can embark on an innovative research project.

You will also get a practice-oriented experience right on campus. Dialogue in the Dark is a unique learning journey in complete darkness where visitors are led by visually-impaired guides. Students will help run the training facility, and research issues facing the visually impaired in Singapore.

Career Prospects

There is an increasing awareness and recognition of the potential contributions of psychology in Singapore. You can work in the areas of counselling, therapy, special education, and be employed by governmental bodies, community welfare groups, and commercial marketing organisations.

You can also further your training, or seek work in the industry. PCS graduates may assist psychologists, support social workers, or conduct social research.

What can PCS graduates do?

  • Be change agents in the society to identify, prevent and improve prevailing social problems.
  • Conduct research and work with social organizations.
  • Assist in undertaking assessment, intervention and counselling for learning and developmental issues in various population groups.
  • Work with law, police and rehabilitation services.
  • Support clients with issues such as personal well-being, relationships, work, health and crisis management for better quality of life.
  • Promote healthy behaviours and the prevention and treatment of illness.
  • Coordinate, promote and manage community-based programmes for various population groups.

Where can PCS graduates work?

  • Corporate Sector - consultancy, market research, professional associations
  • Uniformed services - prisons, police
  • Governmental bodies - e.g Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports; Community Development Council; Ministry of Home Affairs; Subordinate Courts, Family and Juvenile Justice Centre
  • Educational Institutions - Schools, Universities
  • Research and test development organisations
  • Not for Profit Organisations - community and social welfare

PCS student internships

Our PCS students are given invaluable opportunities to translate their learning into actual service to the community through internship attachments. Click here to read more about their experiences, as told firsthand by our on-the-job interns.

Further Studies

You can receive up to one semester’s exemption for relevant degree programmes at Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore.

You may enjoy exemptions for the following programmes:
    • The Australian National University, Australia - Bachelor of Psychology
    • University of Adelaide, Australia - Bachelor of Psychological Science
    • Bond University, Australia - Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology)
    • Murdoch University, Australia - Bachelor of Psychology

You may also gain direct entry into the following programmes:
    • Monash University, Australia in partnership with Social Service Training Institute (SSTI) - Bachelor of Social Work
    • Flinders University, Australia in partnership with Social Service Training Institute (SSTI) - Bachelor of Education (Special Education)

For more information please visit http://www.np.edu.sg/hms/further/Pages/further_pcs.aspx

 

Related Courses

Business & Social Enterprise (N79)
Child Psychology & Early Education (N86)

Contact Us  

School of Humanities
Blk 52, #04-01 
535 Clementi Road
Singapore 599489
Tel: 6460 8974
Fax: 6875 1469
Email: sch-hms@np.edu.sg

Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Toll free: 1800-4607333 (admission to full-time courses)
Tel: 6466 6555
Fax: 6468 3207
Email: JoinNP@np.edu.

Scholarships for PCS students

PCS students have been awarded the following scholarships:

  • Lien Ying Chow Scholarship
  • Sir Gareth Roberts Memorial Scholarship
  • Tan Sri Dr Tan Chin Tuan Scholarship
  • Ngee Ann Polytechnic Scholarship


    Rotary Club of Raffles City Scholarships available to PCS Students

    Rotary International is an established worldwide organisation of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service and encourages high ethical standards in all vocations.

    The Rotary Club of Raffles City is offering scholarships to final-year Diploma in Psychology & Community Services (PCS) students.  The Scholarships will be awarded to students with outstanding academic results and active co-curricular involvement (particularly in Community Service) each year. The value of each award is S$2000.

    Students awarded the scholarships will also get a chance to intern with an established international organisation like Rotary Club(s) or Rotary-related agencies 



    Entry Requirements

    To be eligible for consideration, candidates must have the following GCE ‘O’ Level examination (or equivalent) results and fulfil the aggregate computation requirements.

    Subject
    'O' Level Grade
    English Language*

    1-6

    Mathematics
    (Elementary / Additional)

    1-7

    Any three other subjects

    1-6

    The aggregate computation for selection is based on grades obtained for English, Mathematics, a Humanities subject (Grade 1-9) or Art / Music (Grade 1-9) or Principles of Accounts (Grade 1-9) or a relevant OSIE / Applied Subject (Grade 1-9) and two other subjects.

    *Candidates must attain the required grade for English as a first language.

    Successful candidates are required to undergo a medical examination. Psychiatric conditions may lead to non-acceptance into the course.

  • First Year ModulesSecond Year ModulesFinal Year Modules
    ^  Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) modules at Ngee Ann help students become more versatile and competitive by expanding their knowledge and skills beyond their core disciplines. Areas covered include communication, entrepreneurship, lifeskills, media and the arts, and science and technology.



     

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