PY2CP-Careers in Psychology

Module Provider: Psychology
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites: PY1PR Psychological Research
Non-modular pre-requisites: For Single Hons Psychology students only
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Placement opportunity: Mini placement
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Amanda Branson

Email: A.Branson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Careers in Psychology

Aims:
This module will enable students to critically evaluate and consider the wide range of career options that result from a degree in psychology. Students will gain career-related experience by completing a substantial work placement in a related area; further develop existing and new skill competencies related to a career in psychology to enhance their employability, and gain knowledge of how to deploy key techniques to effectively communicate their employability skills.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

1. Develop new and further develop existing skills and competencies related to a career in psychology to enhance students’ employability (for example, programming skills and psychometric testing in an occupational context).


2. Describe and critically reflect upon the knowledge and skills acquired during the work placement, incorporating critical evaluation of themselves, colleagues and the host organisation with reference to course-content, theory and research.

Additional outcomes:

Students will further develop their skills in: 1. Developing a battery of appropriate psychometric tests for selection and assessment of candidates for a specific job, or writing short experimental programs to test research questions related to theory. 3. Designing graduate level CVs.

In addition, students may develop some, or a combination of the following:

• Identify career management skills including job search and effective applications


• An appreciation of internal and external factors that impact on the running of an organisation, department or team


• Career-relevant technical skills and competencies


• Self-awareness, and an ability to articulate skills and achievements


• Ability to balance competing demands

Outline content:

The module comprises interactive lectures/workshops and drop in sessions. (a) Career development sessions, including effective career planning through self-awareness and goal planning. (b) Skills for psychologist workshops in areas such as designing psychometric tests or writing experimental scripts to test theory. (c) A work placement of 80-100 hours in a field related to students' career choice. Students at branch campuses must complete at least 100 hours on placement.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Career development (a) Interactive lectures and practical sessions will provide students with hands-on experience of skills such as deploying and critically evaluating different types of psychometric tests used within selection and assessment, or developing and writing a short experiment in PsychoPy (programming software).(b) Individual 'drop-in' time will support students in finding and making best use of their placement, and provide one-to-one advice on their assignments. Placement The module also contains a substantial work placement, which students will identify and carry out for themselves, with support. The module therefore strongly encourages self-directed learning in relation to work based skills.

Contact hours at branch campuses may vary

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	6
Practicals classes and workshops	13	6
Placement	50	50
Guided independent study:	35	40
Total hours by term	104	96	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	30
Portfolio	70

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The module is assessed through coursework (100%). 

Placement portfolio (70%)

Including: a placement diary and reflective report, to record the number of hours spent on placement, describe the tasks carried out and reflect on the development of skills related to career plans; an hour’s log; and a training log.

Skills for Psychologists (30%)

An assessment demonstrating the development of a specific skill, chosen by the student from a list of options. These might include the design of a battery of psychometric tests, or an annotated script in a programming language used by psychologists. 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be provided with feedback during the interactive sessions and practical workshops. This feedback will help students prepare for their coursework. 

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Written report, submitted in August. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 8 April 2019