Pyschology Degee with OU

[laney7]

I would really like to start a Pyschology degree with the OU to become an occupational pyschologist. I already have a degee, achieved many many moons ago. I have a 3 year old, work part time (need to keep working part time) and an understanding DH am I mad?

No you're not mad. I too have a 3 year old, work part time but do not have an understanding DH! I've just started the post-grad Psychology conversion diploma with OU & seem to be coping (although won't know that officially until I get 1st assignment results!) If you've already studied you'll probably find it easier this time round to focus & manage your time (cos you won't have as much of it now you are with child!) I faffed around alot with my under-grad degree in my carefree 20s. I also have a massive amount of stress in my life at the moment which I won't go into here. If I can cope with it anyone can! Also with OU you can take your time

Thank you Mila. I hope DH will still be understanding when I start all this

i am studying with ou, went in at level three to top up previous study, my first course was dd307 which is social psychology.

managed it with new baby, am dram play and many other things am dong dd 308 now.

managable as long as you are organised

I am studying a full time degree, via distance learning, I have 2day workshops once a month during term time. 2 kids with activities most nights and a part-time job 2 or 3 5/6 hr shifts a week.

I fit in studying while kids at activities I sit in the cafe with my lap top.

Can get a bit much when assignments are due, but if I spread my studying out more it would be easier, but I am a bit of a last minute girl. Very understanding MIL who looks after the kids when I travel to the workshops and have assignment due next day.

I think the understanding DH will be a big help to you. Good thing with OU is you can decide how much to take on, I had no choice it was degree in three years with 3 modules on the go at anytime, no option.

You don't need to do a degree with the OU, you can do the post grad conversion in psychology which is only 240 points max (you can get exemptions for previous psych studying). I think a degree is 360 points.

For that you do intro to psychology, social, cognitive and child development.

I did it, finishing when DS1 was 15 months and am now doing an MSc in Psychology with the OU. It is difficult with chilren but you can do it so long as you don't mind working in the evenings. If DH is happy to take you DC at the weekend for a couple of hours, all the better.

Thanks for the advice everyone. My previous degree was a BA, so I'm not sure how much credit from previous study I can claim. I think it's a max of 75 points for Psychology. I'm wondering if starting at level 2 would be a mistake, because I've not had any experience of 'science' at degree level

It's not like proper science

I'm on my last OU psych course (DD307) and have loved it.

In addition to the 4 courses Neicie lists, you also have to do SD226, which is Biological Psychology (but only 30 points).

If you ave already studied at degree level, going in at level 2 is fine. No worries at all.

I think I started on a Level 3 course (cognitive psych) and I coped OK. You will have learnt how to study and how to write essays as I did when I did my original BA which is really what makes it so hard for somebody who has never studied at that level before.

As TheFallenMadonna says, it isn't really science. There are experiments on the summer school for cognitive but it is all explained. Really, don't worry about it as the study materials are generally excellent.

You don't have to do the biological psych. for the post grad diploma but you do have to do a new course which I didn't have to do which is the Exploring Psychology Project but it is only 15 points and seems to consist of a weeks residential school and then a project to write up.

to the Post Grad conversion

This would only take you 4 years instead of 6 for a full degree so it is worth considering. It gets you the BPS Graduate Basis of Registration which is what you need to go and study the Occupational Psych MSc and do the training.

Thanks again. Just need to get on with it now

Can I just jump on this thread and ask a question? Those who have undertaken OU courses, how do you access relevant materials? Do you join a local University library?

Laney7 - have you made steps to enrol on this course? It sounds very interesting. Would you be starting with the Exploring Psychology module and then converting or doing a full degree?

Thanks.

The course includes textbooks and other resource material, and there is an online library, with access to various databases and online journals.

Message withdrawn

Thanks TFMadonna for the info and quick response!

I have a degree and am considering a career change (currently SAHM) and psychology would be my absolute preference. I'm just trying to unpick the routes in. OU is probably the best option.

Hia laney, I have started the psychology under grad degree course with OU in Feb, 08. I have a 7yr old, I work full-time and I am a single parent. Sometimes I feel really tired to study but I have to push myself for the sake of dd, I want her to be proud of me when she sees my graduation pictures and when I am my own boss. Besides I owe it to myself and I think its worth it. If i can do it, honestly anybody can do it. Be strong laney and go for it.

If you are considering a career change in Psychology, and wish to be a practicing Psychologist, be aware that you will need to do further post-graduate study in order to qualify as a chartered Psychologist. E.g. a further 3 years to become a Clinical or an Educational Psychologist (on top of your degree). Both of which are super competitive fields. The Occupational MSc is only one year, but again entry is very competitive. Psychology can be a very stimulating subject to study in itself, but as a career route it can be a long slog! - there are thousands of psych grads out there, all clammering for elusive places on post-grad courses. Don't mean to rain on anyone's parade but it is a common misconception that having a Psych degree on its own will open up a whole world of psychology jobs, it won't unfortunately. Right, I'll shut up now!

Good luck - it is a great subject!

Please don't shut up, Halster. That's exactly what I need to know before I start parting with cash and studying! Mind if I pick your brains further?

Go ahead walnutshell, although I warn you, my brain has been in hibernation for some time ....

thanks

OK, at this early stage of exploration, I am leaning towards Counselling Psychology. What exactly does chartered status mean in this case? Is it possible to gain this part time...?

That's good advice halster, I am glad I have started the long journey in psychology studies. Actually am proud I am studying it because putting my mind to it and starting was a bit difficult for me for I kept putting it off. You are right in all angles......it is a good subject, it fits in any kind of life perspective. Thanx!

(I'd try and search the BPS site for answers but for some reason I can't get on now although could earlier.)

(My own brain is desperate to be awoken from hibernation hence this query!)

Ah, I will hold my hands up and say that Counselling Psych is not my field! A Chartered Psychologist (in whatever field) is basically a Psychologist that has been given a stamp of approval by the British Psychological Society (BPS)- i.e. they are well qualified, trained and professional (anyone can say they are a psychologist - it is not illegal). To get chartered status you must have a BPS approved undergrad degree and show evidence of further academic study in your field and considerable professional experience as well. Some post-graduate quals, like the clinical one, give you automatic chartered status. The Occupational MSc gives you the academic component and then you must go away and get the professional experience component yourself. I do not actually know if there is a specific Counselling Psych qual that will give you automatic chartered status or not. Check the BPS website.

You may also want to explore becoming a Counsellor through other routes - there are many qualifications out there that will allow you to practice as a qualified Counsellor (rather than a Counselling Psychologist) that do not require a psychology degree. These routes may well be less tortuous, although I am no expert. The vast majority of Counsellors out there are not Counselling Psychologists.

It is all rather confusing isn't it?! Anyway, hope that sheds some light for you .. .

Thanks hal.

Yes, it is rather confusing but that doesn't necessarily deter me. The most difficult bit is finding something suitable, interesting and with the prospect of work - quite difficult without a crystal ball.

I will look into counselling more generally too, thank you.

For anybody who has a degree and want to study to be a psychologist you can do a post grad conversion instead of a whole degree. It is the quickest way to the Graduate Basis of Registration (GBR) that you need to get on a training MSc/PHd course.

I did my GBR with the OU but this link shows all the institutions that do it. If you have one local to you you might find you can do it quicker than the 4 years (max) it takes with the OU.

Walnutshell - If you are interested in counselling, Relate actually have training courses that lead to an MSc in counselling. Depends if you want to do relationship counselling though.

Funnily enough, I was just looking at the Relate site. I'll have to think that through. What I am sure I would enjoy doing is actually studying Psychology and the most relevant route appears to be the OU conversion course. But I am anxious about the prospects beyond this qualification. I realise nobody can be sure of the future, but I want to make the best use of time and money as well as enjoy the course for itself.

Thanks for all your help.