COURSE: BACHELOR OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCE (BA...

SACAP’s BAppSocSci degree is a comprehensive, three year, undergraduate qualification that develops a robust theoretical and methodological understanding of the discipline of psychology embedded within the social sciences. It has been specifically designed to build critical thinking and a depth of understanding of the individual within a social context and positions you well for admission into an Honours degree or postgraduate studies in psychology, the social sciences or related fields. What’s more, the BAppSocSci incorporates essential “work ready” counselling and communication skills.

Is this course for me?

If you say yes to any of the following points, then the BAppSocSci could just be the perfect fit for you.

Do you?

• Want an NQF accredited qualification that is nationally benchmarked and internationally comparable.


• Have an interest in psychology, mental health and people in a social context.


• Want a comprehensive undergraduate degree qualification in psychology that’s embedded in the social sciences.


• Want a qualification that will give you both comprehensive theoretical and methodological understandings plus integrated counselling and interpersonal communication skills that you can use when working with individuals, groups and communities.


• Want to gain practical fieldwork experience, as part of your studies, to boost your expertise and confidence.


• Want a qualification that will provide multiple academic pathways for an Honours degree or postgraduate studies in psychology, the social sciences or related fields.

What will I learn?

Throughout the BAppSocSci degree you’ll develop critical thinking skills and gain a depth of understanding into:

• Psychology, mental health and people in a social context, including personality and developmental paradigms for understanding individual and group behaviour.


• Psychological challenges and models for understanding behaviour and intervention.


• Diversity and cross-cultural dynamics in the South African context.


• Ethics in psychology.

You will also develop:

• Counselling and interpersonal communication skills, including referral and management strategies.


• Skills to design, implement, monitor and evaluate psycho-educational programmes with a focus on training individuals, families and communities to develop strong, collaborative and supportive partnerships within community context


• Practical fieldwork experience.


• Skills to conduct research according to ethical guidelines, writing reports and managing records.

What can I do with this qualification?

You will be able to work as a SACAP Counsellor¹. This means that, working together with interdisciplinary support teams, you can:

• Provide short term counselling support and guidance (excluding psychotherapy), in the key areas of crisis and trauma, conflict management and family work and relationships with the aim of promoting mental health and wellness.


• Identify (but not diagnose and treat) possible mental health problems and refer clients to the appropriate professionals.


• Apply competency-based counselling approaches - finding strengths and resilience to facilitate mental health and wellness.


• Practice effective interpersonal communication skills in a range of environments with diverse individuals and groups for the purpose of empowerment and promotion of mental health.


• Participate in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes with a focus on empowerment in community contexts.

1: SACAP have developed a recommended scope of practice for each of our qualifications according to SACAP’s Competency-Based Framework^©

What further study pathways are open to me?

Once you have successfully finished the BAppSocSci, you’ll be eligible for admission into an Honours degree or postgraduate studies in psychology, the social sciences or related fields both locally and internationally.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS · A National Senior Certificate, or equivalent, with a minimum of 45% in English coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (50 – 59%) or better in four designated subjects including Life Orientation, OR · A Senior Certificate with endorsement or equivalent, OR · An NQF 6 prior qualification (or above), OR · For mature students (24+) not meeting the above requirements, a portfolio of evidence to support admission on the basis of SACAP’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy

AT A GLANCE Availability On Campus (Johannesburg, Cape Town) and Online Duration 3 years full-time 5 years part-time Modules and Credits 28 modules (At Least 360 credits) NQF 7, CHE accredited Fieldwork 200 hours including supervision