Policies and Standards for Undergraduate Programs in Psychology

November 18, 2010

CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 038-10

 

In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994," and by virtue of the Commission en banc Resolution No. 289-2010 dated November 12, 2010 and for the purpose of making relevant the general principles and guidelines for the establishment and operation of undergraduate psychology programs in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country, this set of Policies and Standards (PS) is hereby adopted and promulgated by this Commission.

ARTICLE I

Introduction

SECTION 1. Rationale and Background. — Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychology as a discipline and professional practice contributes to national development through basic and applied research and interventions aimed at solving problems and promoting optimal development and functioning at the individual, family, group, organizations/institutions, community, and national levels. The undergraduate programs in psychology prepare students for jobs that may involve training, testing, and research, and provide preparation for graduate studies in psychology as well as further studies in many other professions such as medicine, law, and business management.

ARTICLE II

Authority to Operate

SECTION 2. Authority. — All Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) intending to offer Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Psychology programs must first secure proper authority from the Commission on Higher Education in accordance with existing rules and regulations. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Colleges and Universities (LCUs) should likewise strictly adhere to the provisions in this set of policies and standards. DEcTCa

ARTICLE III

Program Specifications

SECTION 3. Program Description. —

1. Degree Names. The degree names under this program shall be called:

a. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (AB Psychology)

b. Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BS Psychology)

2. Objectives

a. AB Psychology — This program aims to provide undergraduate students with a solid basic foundation on the major areas of psychology which may also be used as preparation for further studies and training in particular specializations of psychology or other professions such as education, law, and business management.

b. BS Psychology — The objectives are the same as in AB Psychology. The BS Psychology also provides preparation for further studies in medicine.

SECTION 4. Specific Professions/Careers/Occupations or Trades that Graduates of this Program May Go into. — With further specialized training, graduates of this program may pursue career paths in major sectors of society such as the helping professions (psychotherapy, medicine), education (teaching, research), business and governmental organizations (human resource selection, training and development), and civil society (community development).

ARTICLE IV

Competency Standards

SECTION 5. Graduates of AB/BS Psychology are Expected to be Able to: SDcITH

1. Demonstrate theoretical knowledge in psychology; specifically,

(a) demonstrate an understanding of theories, principles, concepts, and skills in psychology,

(b) develop and sustain arguments about established principles in psychology,

(c) critically evaluate the established principles in psychology,

(d) comprehend and evaluate new information related to psychology (e.g., theory, concepts, data) that may be presented in various forms and from various sources.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of the methods of psychological inquiry; specifically,

(e) understand and explain the main methods of inquiry in psychology,

(f) critically evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to problem solving in the field, and

(g) apply this knowledge to make judgments and create approaches to solving problems in an applied or an employment context.

3. Apply psychological theories and methods; specifically,

(h) correctly apply the theories, principles, concepts and skills in psychology in an employment context,

(i) undertake research using the knowledge and skills in psychology, and communicate the results of such research to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

4. Demonstrate understanding of the ethical dimensions of the use of psychological theories and methods.

5. Undertake further training for developing existing skills and acquiring higher level competencies either through formal graduate education or in an employment context. cHDaEI

As such, graduates of AB/BS Psychology are capable of handling basic job requirements in the field of teaching, research, human resource management, basic psychometrics, training and development, among others, and in further developing relevant knowledge in skills.

SECTION 6. Allied Programs. — There are no allied programs to the AB/BS Psychology programs.

ARTICLE V

Curriculum

SECTION 7. Curriculum Description. — The AB Psychology program shall require a minimum of 125 units, which consist of the following:

• Basic Courses

• Required Courses

• Elective Courses

• Thesis

• NSTP

The BS Psychology program shall have an additional 20 units of natural science electives. These natural science electives may be in different unit contributions provided they total to 20 units.

The subjects under the General Education (GE) Courses are as per CHED requirements and shall automatically be considered as revised once a new CMO on General Education is issued by CHED, without the need for additional action on the part of the concerned Technical Panel. The Office of Programs and Standards (OPS) will issue an amendment to this CMO at such time to show the revised curriculum.

SECTION 8. Curriculum Outline. —

a. AB/BS Psychology

					Equivalent
				No. of	Units Per	Total
				Subjects	Subject	Units
General Education (GE) Courses	As per CHED requirements
Basic Course			2		8
	General Psychology		3
	Psychological Statistics		5
Required Courses		8		28
	Developmental Psychology		3
	Personality			3
	Experimental Psychology		5
	Social Psychology		3
	Psychological Assessment		5
	Abnormal Psychology		3
	Research in Psychology I		3
	Research in Psychology II		3
Elective Courses
	Psychology Elective Series (I-V)	5		15
		Clinical Psychology		3
		Cognitive Psychology		3
		Current Issues in Psychology (may be taken a		3
			maximum of three times provided that the sub-
			areas of psychology tackled are different)
		Educational Psychology		3
		Filipino Psychology		3
		Group Dynamics		3
		Industrial Psychology		3
		Physiological/Bio-Psychology		3
		Practicum in Psychology		3
		Psychology of Learning		3
Natural Science Electives (for BS Only)
Subjects may be in different unit contributions provided
they total to 20 units			20
Physical Education (P.E.)	4	2	8
National Service Training Program (NSTP)	2	3	6
Summary of Units
	General Education Courses	*		*
	Basic Courses	1		5
	Required Courses	8		28
	Elective Courses
		Psychology Elective Series	5		15
		Natural Science Electives (for BS Only)			20
	P.E.			4		8
	NSTP			2		6
	*As per CHED requirement
	Total No. of Units
						65 +
						CHED
			AB Psychology			GE
						85+
						CHED
			BS Psychology			GE

SECTION 9. Curriculum Guidelines. —

a. The sequencing of courses is at the discretion of the institution provided that General Psychology and Psychological Statistics are taken before all of the other courses.

b. Personality is a prerequisite of Psychological Assessment and Abnormal Psychology.

c. Experimental Psychology is a prerequisite of Social Psychology, Research in Psychology I, and Research in Psychology II. TSHcIa

d. The following courses may be taken under the Psychology Elective Series:

• Clinical Psychology

• Cognitive Psychology

• Current Issues in Psychology

• Educational Psychology

• Filipino Psychology

• Group Dynamics

• Industrial Psychology

• Physiological/Bio-Psychology

• Practicum in Psychology

• Psychology of Learning

e. Current Issues in Psychology may be taken a maximum of three times provided that the sub-areas of psychology tackled are different.

f. Projective Techniques is a graduate level course. It should not be offered in the undergraduate level.

g. The Bachelor of Science (BS) Psychology Program has an additional 20 units of natural science electives. These natural science electives may be in different unit contributions provided they total to 20 units.

SECTION 10. Sample Program of Study. —

First Year
First Semester		Second Semester
Courses	Units	Courses	Units
GE Courses		GE Courses
Second Year
First Semester		Second Semester
Courses	Units	Courses	Units
GE Courses		GE Courses
General Psychology	3	Developmental Psychology	3
Psychological Statistics	5	Personality	3
		*Natural Science Elective	5
Third Year
First Semester		Second Semester
Courses	Units	Courses	Units
GE Courses		GE Courses
Experimental Psychology	5	Social Psychology	3
Abnormal Psychology	3	Psychological Assessment	5
Psychology Elective I	3	Psychology Elective III	3
Psychology Elective II	3	*Natural Science Electives II	5
Fourth Year
First Semester		Second Semester
Courses	Units	Courses	Units
Research in Psychology I	3	Psychology Elective V	3
*Natural Science Electives III	5	*Natural Science Electives IV	5
Psychology Elective IV	3	Research in Psychology II	3

Note: The institution is free to enhance and to follow different patterns and modalities based on the needs of its clientele.

*For BS Psychology only

SECTION 11. Practicum Requirements. — Practicum is an elective course which should be taken after Psychological Assessment and preferably in the summer of third year.

ARTICLE VI

Course Specifications

SECTION 12. The course specifications for AB/BS Psychology program are contained in Annex A of this Order.

ARTICLE VII

Other Requirements

SECTION 13. Program Administration. — The minimum qualification of the head of the unit that implements the degree program is as follows:

The director/chair/head of the program shall be a holder of at least a master's degree in psychology. 

SECTION 14. Faculty Requirements. —

1. Qualifications. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the major courses should be taught by faculty with at least a master's degree (M.A. or M.S.) in psychology. The M.A. Guidance and Counseling and M.A. Education major in Guidance and Counseling are not considered equivalents of an M.A. or M.S. in Psychology. However, as long as the basic requirement of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the major courses are taught by faculty with a master's degree in psychology is met, faculty with master's degrees in guidance and counseling may teach counseling-related courses in the AB and BS Psychology Programs.

The faculty should regularly update themselves in the various areas of psychology and should work towards the Ph.D. degree.

2. Percentage of Full-time faculty. Schools are encouraged to have at least three (3) full-time faculty members with at least a master's degree in psychology. ISDCHA

3. Teaching Load. The teaching load of full-time faculty shall comply with CHED standards.

SECTION 15. Library Requirements. —

1. Librarians. Every college/institution/department offering AB/BS Psychology program shall have an adequately equipped library that will provide all the basic textbooks, as well as reference materials for research and other scholarly purposes, as well as resources for current trends. The following are the minimum staff requirements:

a. A college/institution/department library should have a full-time librarian who is a holder of Master in Library and Information Science degree with a valid PRC license.

b. There should be one full-time librarian for the first 500 students enrolled, and for an enrollment of 1,000 students two (2) full-time librarians shall be required.

c. Library assistant/s must be a holder/s of Bachelor of Library and Information Science degree.

2. Library holdings

a. At least three (3) of the textbooks/reference books in each course must have been published in the last five years.

b. There should be continuing subscriptions, in hard copy form, to the Philippine Journal of Psychology and to at least three (3) refereed journals listed in Annex B.

c. Subscription to Philippine and international e-journals is strongly advised.

SECTION 16. Laboratories and Other Facilities. —

1. There should be a psychological research laboratory with various equipment which may be relevant for conducting psychological (especially experimental) research. For each institution, the type of equipment will depend on the research thrusts and interests of the psychology faculty.

2. There should be an up-to-date collection of psychological test materials (i.e., intelligence, aptitude and personality tests). A list of recommended psychological test materials is listed in Annex C. Each category of test should be represented in the collection. THESAD

3. There should be at least three (3) computers in the Department of Psychology with Internet access for the use of faculty and students.

SECTION 17. Admission. — Admission into the AB/BS Psychology program requires a high school diploma from a government-recognized institution and passing the particular college/university's admission requirements.

ARTICLE VIII

Transitory Provisions

SECTION 18. All HEIs, including SUCs and LUCs, with existing authority for the AB/BS Psychology degree programs are hereby given a period of three (3) years from the effectivity thereof to fully comply with all the requirements in this CMO.

ARTICLE IX

Sanction

SECTION 19. For violation of this Order, the Commission may impose such administrative sanction as it may deem appropriate pursuant to the pertinent provisions of RA 7722 in relation to Sections 68-69 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1982, Section 63 of Article XII and Sections 142-143 of Article XXVI of the Manual of Regulations for Private Higher Education of 2008, and other related laws.

ARTICLE X

Separability and Repealing Clause

SECTION 20. Any provision of this Order, which may thereafter be held invalid, shall not affect the remaining provisions.

All CHED issuances or part thereof inconsistent with the provision in this CMO shall be deemed modified or repealed.

ARTICLE X n

Effectivity Clause

SECTION 21. This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Quezon City, Philippines, November 18, 2010.

For the Commission:

(SGD.) PATRICIA B. LICUANAN, Ph.D.ChairpersonCommission on Higher Education

Attachments available upon request. 

n Note from the Publisher: Copied verbatim from the official copy. Duplication of Article X.