IMU psychology degree leads to a career in the US
A BELIEF that job opportunities in the psychology field are much broader and advanced in the United States led Alicia Wong to apply for postgraduate studies there after completing her psychology degree at the International Medical University (IMU). Also most researchers she wanted to work with then were based in the US.
Wong then accepted an offer from a state university and completed her Masters in Clinical Psychology and Counselling at Valdosta State University, Georgia. She now works for a psychiatric hospital in the forensic unit as a behavioural specialist/mental health counsellor.
“A behavioural specialist/ mental health counsellor does a range of things, depending on where they work,” said Wong. “I work in a psychiatric hospital at the forensic unit – this means that the people I work with have mental illnesses as well as criminal charges.”
Wong works with clients with challenging behaviours, conducts group therapy as well as individual therapy. She also does risk assessments, create behavioural guidelines for staff to interact with some clients, behavioural support plans that help clients increase or decrease target behaviours and train staff for these guidelines or plans.
Wong believes her psychology degree at IMU set the foundation for graduate school studies.
“A couple of classes were more significant than the rest,” Wong said. “Positive psychology expanded my perspective on looking not just at diagnosable illnesses but also maladaptive behaviours. Another class discussing the pitfalls of psychology as a field – the discomfort of looking at the flaws – motivated me to do things better.”
Wong’s advice to those who wish to study psychology is: “It’s a good idea to think about the general area of psychology with which you are fascinated. Psychology is broad and if you go in without an idea, it can get overwhelming. Also, if you hope to get further in the field, graduate school is a requirement.”
The three-year Bachelor of Science (Hons) Psychology at IMU has a curriculum that has been developed to meet high international standards.
Students have the option of completing the entire psychology degree in IMU or study part of the programme in IMU and then transfer to either the University of Newcastle, Australia, or the University of Strathclyde, UK, to complete their degree.
The three-year Bachelor of Science (Hons) Psychology has been internationally accepted for further specialisation at the graduate level. To become a qualified psychologist, students must first complete their undergraduate degree in psychology, followed by a master’s degree in one of the specialised areas of psychological practice.
Intakes for the psychology programme are in February and September and is open to both Arts and Science students.
Those who enjoy discovering the causes of human behaviour and have the desire to help others manage their problems can apply for a great start to an interesting and exciting career in psychology. Those who just completed their SPM without having pre-university qualification can consider enrolling in the oneyear IMU Foundation in Science programme. That is the preferred foundation and direct route for entry into any of the IMU’s local degree programmes.
IMU is Malaysia’s first and most established private medical and health sciences university with over 25 years of dedicated focus in healthcare education.
For details, visit www.imu.edu. my, e-mail start@imu.edu.my or call 03–2731 7272.