Kamaldeep
12 April, 2024
Table of Contents
People’s interest in the human mind and behaviour dates back to ancient times, but it wasn’t established till the late 19th century. Today, psychology has become a widely chosen academic discipline. As an educational programme, psychology offers a deep insight into human behaviour and answers why humans do what they do. Like the human brain, psychology is a broad field with many complexities. To become proficient in this science, one must have a comprehensive knowledge of the field. So, if you are a psychology enthusiast or an already working professional who intends to master this field, the Master’s in Psychology distance education programme is for you.
Learners in this discipline develop their research, critical thinking and communication skills. As mentioned earlier, the human brain is complex, and so is the science associated with it. Psychology includes various sub-fields, such as:
This also highlights that numerous career opportunities unfold for a highly skilled professional after a Master’s in Psychology distance education. Below we have explored and compiled everything and anything related to this distance education programme.
Let’s walk through it
The Master’s in Psychology is a comprehensive two-year postgraduate programme. It’s delivered in offline, online, and distance modes, allowing you to choose the learning style that suits you best. The programme covers a wide range of topics, including the study of human behaviour, mental well-being, psychomotor development, and cognitive aspects. This ensures that you receive a well-rounded education in the field of Psychology.
The programme is divided into four semesters, during which the study material is shared via post or email. In distance mode, no physical classes are held. However, few institutions have Personal Contact Programmes (PCP) held at the university regional centres. If you are keen on learning the intricacies of the human mind and behaviour, a master’s degree in Psychology is the right option for you.
Psychology is applied in multiple fields, including HR, sports, military, forensics, business, and other industries. This is primarily the reason why a huge number of students choose this field of study.
Here are a few differences between the types of degrees in Psychology:
| MA Psychology | M.Sc. Psychology |
| Master of Arts | Master of Science |
| This degree involves the study of liberal arts, concepts and theory of this field. | This degree includes the science behind the brain and its psychological processes and focuses on research. |
| The candidate must be from a science background. | The candidate should preferably be from a humanities background. |
| You can build a professional career in hospitals, schools or the industrial sector. | You can have an academic career with huge prospects in the research field. |
| The average fee ranges between INR 15,000 to 35,000 per annum. | The average fee ranges between INR 25,000 to 95,000 per annum. |
| Institution Name | Fee Structure |
| Chandigarh University | INR 13,850 (per semester) |
| IGNOU | INR 18,600 (full course) |
| Lovely Professional University | INR 30,000 (full course) |
| Osmania University | INR 20,000 (full course) |
| Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University | INR 30,300 (full course) |
| Tamil Nadu Open University | INR 25,400 (full course) |
To enrol in a Master’s in Psychology distance programme, you should be able to meet the eligibility criteria of that college. While every institution has different parameters, the general criteria followed by most of them are mentioned below:
Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university.
There is no minimum age limit for applying for this course.
For reserved category candidates, there is a 5% relaxation in minimum marks criteria.
You must note that the syllabus for the Master’s in Psychology distance education programme is different in every college. The core topics in this course are mental processes, conflict management, human reactions, feelings, etc. The typical curriculum of this programme is highlighted below:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Social Psychology | Cognitive Behaviour Therapy |
| Cognitive Psychology | Psychometrics Theory |
| Research Methods in Psychology | Basic Organisational Processes |
| Neuro Psychology | Emotions in Everyday Life |
| Paradigms of Psychology | Experimental Designs Theory |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Psychology of Social Behaviour Theory | Appreciating Diversity |
| Personality Theory | Positive Psychology |
| Applications of Psychology | Psychology of Advertising |
| Systems and Skills | Development of Theories of Mind |
Pursuing a Master’s in Psychology in distance mode has many benefits, such as:
The fee structure for distance Master’s programmes is lower than for regular Master’s courses. This is convenient for those who can not afford higher costs or for whom the regular fee does not fit their budget.
There is no boundation of attending regular classes and visiting the university campus daily. You can learn at your own pace from the study material provided by the institution. Some universities may provide recorded lecture videos and other interactive learning resources to watch and learn according to your schedule.
With distance programmes, learners can expand their professional experience simultaneously. Implementing the class lessons in real-life situations is a better way to learn.
For working professionals with a limited time frame to pursue their studies, a Master’s in Psychology distance programme is the best choice.
You can conduct a research study after completing this course and pursue a doctorate in this field.
The curriculum of the Master’s in Psychology distance programme is similar to that of its regular counterpart as per the UGC guidelines.
You get comprehensive learning material and academics in the comfort of your house.
Many organisations look for a master’s graduate and specific years of professional experience. Therefore, this degree lets you pass both parameters at the same time.
Adding the qualification of a Master’s degree to your profile helps you grow in psychology. It gives you an edge and impacts your career growth. Every day, new research and theories are coming up, making it even more important to expand your knowledge. Therefore, there are multiple career opportunities after a Master’s in Psychology. Some of them are:
| Job Opportunities | Average Salary |
| Mental Health Counselor | INR 3 LPA |
| Research Assistant | INR 3.8 LPA |
| School Psychologist | INR 4.2 LPA |
| Guidance Counsellor | INR 3.5 LPA |
| Family Counsellor | INR 2 LPA |
| Public Affairs Specialist | INR 6 LPA |
| Organisational Psychologist | INR 8.1 LPA |
| Psychiatric Nurse | INR 3.5 LPA |
Source: Ambition Box
While the health sector is the obvious answer to this question and this what comes to our mind when we hear psychology. However, psychology graduate can work in various other sector like:
Therefore, depending upon your personal choice, you can work in any of the above sectors and establish your career.
Psychology is an exciting subject to pursue if you are inquisitive about human behaviour. It doesn’t matter if you are from a science background or arts; a Master’s in Psychology distance education is for everyone interested and dedicated to going deep into this field. So, if you are planning to widen your horizon in the field of psychology, think no more and enrol in a Master’s in Psychology programme in distance mode for the best return on investment in education.
