Applied Psychology

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA in BEHAVIOUR PSYCHOLOGY: (Behavior Management) - (PDAP)

Synopsis

(With special focus on Using Behavior Observation, Analysis & Intervention Techniques)

This programme is suitable for Managers, Teachers, Parents, Nurses and other professionals such as Safety Officers who monitor, manage and change the behavior of people under their care.

The Professional Diploma in Behavior Psychology (PDAP) is dedicated to the education of parents, educators, nurses, children, managers, and other professionals such as Safety Professionals for the purpose of understanding, predicting and influencing behavior.

This unique programme is highly practical and affordable. It can prepare students to provide quality, science-based behavior management services to one and all. Students will also learn to operate effectively as service delivery administrators and managers. Modules include classroom and agency-based experiential learning on how to make behavior observation, analysis and intervention.

Attendance and Supervised Learning

The PDAP will be delivered wholly in Singapore as part of the NUS Extension Programme. The programme will be conducted mainly by Victor Tai, Senior Consultant Psychologist of Psyscan Consulting International and Adam Road Hospital.  He is assisted by qualified psychologist and other assistants from time to time.

Description of Modules in the Professional Diploma in Behavior Psychology

Students on the PDAP will take 4 (four) courses from Section A, Six courses from Section B and  1(one) course from Section C or D conducted at the NUS Extension over a 6-month period. Students also have the option to take courses from the list of MOM-approved Behavior Based Safety courses from Section E to replace course requirements from Section B on a one-for-one basis. Through this programme, participants will have completed a total of 206 hours of instruction (Inclusive of two 3-hr examinations) and practical training.

Section A will cover basic principles of applied behavior psychology, practical application of these basic principles, and ethical issues related to the delivery of applied behavior psychology services. Students are expected to take a 3-hr examination for this section.

For Section B, students will be given the necessary coursework in theoretical foundations, and applying basic research and applications for applied behavior psychology. The participant will actually learn to effectively teach new behavior and to reduce unwanted behavior in a variety of settings including homes, welfare institutions, care facilities, hospitals, factories and business organisations. Students are expected to take a 3 hr examination for Section B.

Students must take one course from Section C or D.. Upon completion of coursework from Section A & B, students are expected to receive verification of training. A supervised practicum is required. Students will be thoroughly briefed by our teams of mentors and supervisors. Practical training will be based on a supervised attachment to work with children or adults in home, educational or business settings. The participant will actually learn to effectively teach new behavior and to reduce unwanted behavior. Our mentored and supervised experience of 60 hours (spread over 3 months or 12 weeks) will be coached by one or more of our team of expert applied psychologists. One or more of our team of expert psychologists will supervise the programme design and implementation ensuring that behavioral and motivational changes are made, significantly improving the quality of life of clients. The practicum will be conducted at 3 designated agencies which will be assigned to the students by our mentors or supervisors.

COURSE MODULES

Professional Diploma in Behavioral Psychology (PDAP)
(10 Modules plus Practicum)

Section A: 4 Basic Foundations in Behavior Psychology
(Compulsory * with Section A 3 hr Exam)
a  Principles of Applied Behaviour Psychology (101)
b. Methods for Changing Behaviour (201)
c. Principles of Applied Behaviour Counselling Psychology (301)
d. Applied Behaviour Psychology in Clinical Settings (401)

Section B: 6 Practical Modules in Behavior Psychology
(Compulsory * with Section B 3 hr Exam)
e. Applied Behaviour Psychology for Managing People (501)
f. Applied Behaviour Psychology for Positive Human Relations (503)
g. Managing Conflicts with Applied Behaviour Psychology (504)
h. Power Negotiation with Applied Behaviour Psychology (505)
i. Stress Management with Applied Behaviour Psychology (506)
j. Applied Behaviour Psychology Assessment of Character or Personality (508)

NB:  Choose one elective from Section C or D

Section C: Agency Placement for Applied Behavior Counselling
(Elective)
Besides completing the coursework, students must take the advanced practicum work. In such a case, students will have to put in a total of 60 hours or 3 months or 2 weeks by choosing at least one area or agency for their practical work. Students must choose 1 out of the 5 modules from Section C: PDAP 611-615. Student who chooses to do this module will have to make special arrangements with our Course and Placement Agency Facilitators.

k.   Applied Behavior Counselling Projects (PDAP 611-615)

• PDAP 611 Applied Counselling Project for Teachers
• PDAP 612 Applied Counselling Project for Nurses
• PDAP 613 Applied Counselling Project for Parents
• PDAP 614 Applied Counselling Project for Managers 
• PDAP 615 Applied Counselling Project for Safety Professionals
• with submission of Individual Report

Section D: Agency Placement Project for Applied Behavioral Interventions
(Elective)
Besides completing the coursework, students must take the advanced practicum work. In such a case, students will have to put in a total of 60 hours or 3 months or 2 weeks by choosing at least one area or agency for their practical work. Students must choose 1 out of the 5 modules from Section D: PDAP 711-715. Student who chooses to do this module will have to make special arrangements with our Course and Placement Agency Facilitators.

l.  Applied Behavior Psychology Projects (711-715)

• PDAP 711 Applied Psychology Project for Teachers
• PDAP 712 Applied Psychology Project for Nurses
• PDAP 713 Applied Psychology Project for Parents
• PDAP 714 Applied Psychology Project for Managers 
• PDAP 715 Applied Psychology Project for Safety Professionals

* with submission of Individual Report

NB:  You can choose these BBS courses to replace any course in Section B on special request

Section E:  Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Approved Behavior Based Safety Courses (Electives - Can replace Section B courses - 1 for 1)

m. Behavioral-Based Safety 1 (PDAP 801) - Foundations (Observation & Intervention for a Safer Workplace) 21 Hours
* with 1-hr BBS Exam 1

n. Behavioral-Based Safety 2 (PDAP 802) - Implementation (How to implement BBS in your company) 28 Hours
* with 1-hr BBS Exam 2

o. Behavioral-Based Safety 3 (PDAP 803) - Incident Investigation (Conducting an investigation into root causes) 14 Hours
* with with 1-hr BBS Exam 3

Award of Professional Diploma in Behavior Psychology: (Behavior Management) - (PDAP)

Courses will be offered at weekly intervals starting in Feb 2009 and the programme can be completed by end of Jul 2009. Upon successful completion of the coursework and examination, participants will be required to complete a practicum assignment at a designated agency before being awarded a Professional Diploma in Behavior Psychology by NUS Extension.