Psychology
 
 1.  About the department of Psychology
Keeping in view the importance of psychology in modern society, Dr. BRAOU has established the Department of Psychology in 2008 – 09.U. G and P. G programs were also launched in  2008 – 09 and 2009-10 respectively. At U G level, psychology is offered as one of the three group subjects. Further, the University has introduced credit based choice system (CBCS) at UG level in 2017-18. Accordingly, the course structure and syllabi were revised through the constitution of Subject Expert Committees. These programs aim at providing students with an understanding of various methods, theories, and conceptual models, principles that serve as a framework for understanding human behaviour and to help them enhance cognitive, affective and behavioural abilities. With regard to self learning material (SLM), the Department of Psychology has prepared its own material, both in English and Telugu for U.G courses. However, for P G courses, the university used, initially, Tamilnadu Open University material.  Later, the department developed its own material in English for M. Sc. Psychology courses in 2013-14. 
Faculty Members: For the functioning of the department and to provide academic support to the implementation of academic programs, the university has also appointed faculty members on contractual basis. Following are the staff members of the department:
  1. Prof. D. Janardhana Reddy, M.A., Ph. D
  2. Dr.Narasimlu, M.A., M. Ed. M. Phil., Ph. D
  3. Mrs. D. Sriveni, M.A., M. Phil
2.  Programs Offered
 The Department is offering M. Sc. Psychology of two years duration and U G program of three years duration. With regard to medium of instruction, while P. G program is offered in English medium only, U. G program is offered in both English and Telugu medium. 
Objectives 
  • To provide students with  an understanding of various models, principles that serve as framework for understanding human behaviour
  • To help students understand and enhance cognitive, affective and behavioural abilities
  • To familiarize students with applications of psychology in modern society
  • To cultivate in students a spirit of research and to provideskills needed for conducting research studies, 
  • To prepare students for advanced courses in psychology, 
  • To provide an understanding of mental health problems
 3.  Course Structure of P. G & U. G Programs
P. G PROGRAM 
M. Sc. psychology program consists of 10 courses, five courses each in I and II year.
I year: 
In first year there are four theory courses and one practical course. The theory courses are: Principles of Psychology, Social Psychology, Psychopathology and Life Span Development. The practical course is titled as Statistics and Experimental Psychology.
II year:
In II year also there are four theory courses and one practical course. The titles of theory courses are: Personality, Counselling Psychology, Organizational Behaviour and Research Methodology. Practicum is titled as Psychometry and Psychological Testing.
Assignments:  In both I and II year, theory courses have the component of assignments. Students need to submit two assignments for each course. Theory courses carry70 marks each and assignments 30 marks i.e. each course carries 100 marks. Practical courses also carry 100 marks each. In total, 10 courses for 1000 marks.
Practicum: Psychology subject has the component of practical work. It involves conduction of experiments, administration of tests, analysis of data, record writing, viva voce etc. To cite a few as an example, the experiments are: Span of attention, concept formation,   Trial and error learning, habit interference, immediate memory etc. Similarly, some of the tests are: Intelligence tests, aptitude tests, personality tests, stress and anxiety tests, creativity, emotional intelligence, projective tests etc. Practical classes are conducted for six days in each year and attendance in classes is compulsory.
U.G PROGRAM
U G psychology program has credit based choice system (CBCS) and six semesters. Under this system, there are core courses, elective courses and skill enhancement courses. Core courses are compulsory and electives are optional. In the first four semesters only core course are offered and in the last two semesters i.e. third year, electives are offered. Each course has five credits of 20 marks each i.e. each course carries 100 marks. In sum U G psychology program has six core courses and four elective courses spread over six semesters i e. Three years and two Skill Enhancement Courses in IV semester. Titles of courses in the order of semesters, from semester 1 to 6, are given below.
Core courses: Foundations of Psychology, Cognitive and Behavioural Processes, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Life Span Development and Psychological Assessment. Each course has four credits of 80 marks (theory) and one credit of 20 marks for practicum. 
Elective courses: Educational Psychology/ Organizational Psychology (V semester) and Health Psychology/Psychological Competencies (VI Semester). Each course has five credits of 100 marks. Students need to choose one elective in each semester.
Practicum:  All core courses except electives have the component of practicum with one credit (20 marks) per course.  Psychology subject has the component of practical work. It involves conduction of experiments, administration of tests, analysis of data, record writing, viva voce etc. To cite a few as an example, the experiments are: Distraction of attention, Concept formation,   Transfer of training, Habit interference, Short term memory etc. Similarly, some of the tests are: Intelligence tests, Aptitude tests, Personality tests, Depression tests, Aggression tests, Projective tests etc. Practical classes are conducted for four days in each semester and attendance in classes is compulsory.
Skill Enhancement Courses: 
Two courses: 1. Stress Management and 2. Entrepreneurship Psychology. Each course has two credits of 40 marks. These courses are open to all students.  Any student irrespective of their subjects of study, psychology or non-psychology students can choose these courses.
Eligibility
  1. U. G: (a) Pass in Eligibility Test (E.T) or (b) Pass in Intermediate or its equivalent course Minimum Age: 18 years
  2. P. G: Degree in any discipline from any recognized University
 Mode of Admission
U. G and P. G programs: Online admissions 
Duration of the Program :
U. G – Minimum 3 years – Maximum 9 years
P. G – Minimum 2 years – Maximum 6 years
4.  Student Support Services
Academic support is provided to students to develop knowledge and an understanding of the subject in multiple ways: 
  1.  Direct teaching: Contact Crum Counselling Classes are conducted for 16 days on Sundays.  Only theory courses are covered in these classes and practical classes are conducted separately.
  2. Audio Video Programs: Audio lessons and video lessons are developed, recorded and broadcast /telecast in All India Radio / Doordarshan (Yadagiri).Video lessons are also unloaded in YouTube channel.
  3. Self Learning Material (Print): University has developed its own study material for all courses of the subject and distributed to students of both P. G and U. G programs. U. G material is available in Telugu language also.
  4. Practical Classes in the laboratory: Practical classes are conducted to provide knowledge,  skills and hands-on experience in conducting experiments and administering tests.
5.  Career Opportunities:
There are multiple career path ways in psychology both in India and abroad. Psychologists work in different fields. Following are some of the opportunities.
Higher Studies:
Students with P G degree can do research for M. Phil and Ph.D. degrees in any university and some students will also get research fellowships. They can also do M.Phil. Clinical Psychology or Rehabilitation Psychology approved by Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), to practice as Clinical/Rehabilitation Psychologists. Another professional program is P G Diploma in Counselling.  
Counselling: 
Psychology degree holders can work as Counsellors/Psychologists in various institutions like Schools, Colleges, IITs, Mental Health Institutes, Hospitals, Prisons, Juvenile Homes, Rehabilitation Centres, Industries, Organizations, Sports, Army, and NGOs etc.
Teaching: 
Academic positions are also available in universities, colleges, schools, Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) etc. Psychology is also offered as one of the subjects in the colleges of Education (B. Ed), Nursing, Law etc. 
Student enrolment in PG and U. G programs since inception
Year
M.Sc.
I Year                     II Year
U. G
 I Year                II Year                     III Year
2008-09
 
 
 
 
 
2009-10
634
 
 
514
 
2010-11
724
413
 
380
336
2011-12
723
484
 
338
276
2012-13
731
568
 
311
258
2013-14
536
506
 
300
196
2014-15
530
414
 
333
227
2015-16
424
294
 
303
250
2016-17
496
401
( CBCS)
393
264
2017-18
552
370
487
334
271
2018-19
637
453
    545
253
320
2019-20
845
530
    614
328
188
2020-21
1128
679
    807
343
294
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
7960
5112
2453
4130
2880
The data in the above table show that there is much increase in the enrolment of students in M. Sc psychology program. The number of admissions in P. G program is almost doubled in 2020 – 21 as compared to 2009 -10.Similar trend can also be observed at U G level under CBCS system. Enrolment of students in U G Psychology program increased from 487 in 2017 – 18 to 807 in 2021 – 21. This shows the demand and popularity of psychology subject in student community and society in general. 
6.  Future Plans
Efforts are being made to launch academic and professional programs relating to psychology in the near future. Following are some of the programs in pipeline.
  1. M. Phil and Ph. D:  In view of the need for research in psychology to strengthen the discipline and the demand from student community, M. Phil and Ph. D programs will be started soon.
  2. P G Diploma in Counselling Psychology: The demand for Psychology Counsellors is increasing in modern society and there is dearth of trained professionals in India and abroad. Efforts are underway to launch Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology.
7.  Brief Profile of Faculty members 
Prof. D. Janardhana Reddy
He is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Dr. B R Ambedkar Open University,  Hyderabad. He joined the university in July 2012 after serving Sri Venkateswara University,Tipupati for about 30 years. He has obtained M.A and Ph. D in Psychology from S. V. University, Tirupati. He has vast teaching and research experience at university level.  As a professor, he held various academic and administrative positions like Head of the Department, Chairman, Board of Studies, Dean/Director of Student Affairs, Director of Population Education Resource Canter (UGC-UNFPA Project), Vice-Principal, Additional Chief Warden of Hostels etc. He also visited countries like USA, Thailand, Philippines and Nepal.  
He is actively involved in academic activities like teaching, conduction of  practical classes & practical examinations,  development of self learning materials & practical manuals, audio & video programs, tele-conferences, framing of syllabus and restructuring of UG courses as per CBCS pattern etc. He was an Editor of  eight (8) U G books namely, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Educational Psychology, Health Psychology, Psychological Competencies, Stress Management, Entrepreneurship Psychology etc. He was also an Associate Editor for five P. G courses namely Personality, Organizational Behaviour, Counselling Psychology, Statistics & Experimental Psychology (Practical Manual),  Psychometrics & Psychological Testing (Practical Manual), He edited six (6) U G Practical Manuals. He has also contributed units/lessons to many P. G and U.G distance education courses. He has also participated in many audio -video and    teleconference programs as a subject expert. 
Dr. Narsimulu
He possesses M. A, M. Phil.,Ph.D in Psychology and M.Ed. He has qualified for State Eligibility Test (SET) in Psychology and Education. He is working in the Department as an Assistant Professor (C), since 10 years. He is actively involved in academic activities and department related administrative matters like preparation practical schedules, conduction of  practical classes & practical examinations, also he is involved in the development of self learning materials, audio video programs, Tele-conferences and involved as an internal examiner for practical examinations of both UG&PG. 
He has coordinated the preparation of material for 5 courses in PG I&II Year namely Psychopathology, Statistics and Experimental Psychology, Personality, Research Methodology, Psychometry and Psychological Testing (Practical Manuel). He has also coordinated the preparation of 20 books in all semesters, both English and Telugu, under CBCS as Course Coordinator.  He also served as a language editor (17) books in Telugu medium in CBCS pattern all semesters and old pattern books.  He has also contributed 18 units as a writer for theory and practical courses and 12 units translated under CBCS pattern of UG and PG Programs.
Mrs. D. Sriveni
She possesses M. A in Psychology, M. Phil in Rehabilitation Psychology, PG Diploma in Child Psychology and PG Diploma in Yoga (Ph.D in Psychology). She is working in the Department as an Assistant Professor (C), since 10 years.  She is involved in development of self learning material and audio video programs, and practical classes of both UG&PG. She has coordinated the preparation of material for 4 courses in PG I&II Year namely Principles of Psychology, Life Span Development, Counselling Psychology and Organizational Behaviour. She has also contributed units as a writer for theory and practical courses namely Foundations of Psychology & Cognitive and Behavioural Processes, Social Psychology, Life Span Development, Abnormal Psychology, She has coordinated the preparation of material for courses namely Abnormal Psychology, Life Span development, Health Psychology, and Organizational Psychology and four courses of theory and practical manuals for Telugu Medium as a Course Coordinator, under CBCS pattern.
For Further Details
HEAD, Department of Psychology
Faculty of Social Science
Academic Branch
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Open University
G.Ram Reddy Marg, Jubilee Hills
HYDERABAD, Telangana, 500033
040-23680505