Are the degree courses accredited nationally? Yes, the BA and BPsych degrees are accredited by SAQA, CHE & DoE.
Do you present classes in other cities or provinces? Tutorial classes are largely presented at the ICP Germiston Campus but selected classes are also presented at the Pneumatix Somerset West Campus in the Western Cape. BPsych classes are only presented at the Germiston Campus.
Do you offer the courses in Afrikaans? The primary language of instruction and assessment for all courses presented at the ICP is English.
Where do I write my exams? As a rule, all students living within a 90 minute radius from the ICP will write in the ICP Hall at the Germiston Campus.
Students who live more than a 90 minute drive from the ICP’s Germiston Campus will write their exams at approved examination venues throughout South Africa and in other countries.
I want to do a BA degree but don’t meet the admission requirements. What do I do? Students who do not meet the admission requirements can enrol for the Basic Christian Counselling Course and should they complete this course with an average of at least 55%, they can gain entry into a BA degree programme at the ICP.
If you meet all the admission requirements but do not have a high enough grade or score for mathematics, you can consider doing the ICP’s Maths Bridging Course, while being conditionally accepted into one of the BA degree programmes.
Are the courses presented by correspondence? Do I have to attend any classes? None of the ICP’s courses are presented purely by means of correspondence. Rather, the BA degrees, Postgraduate Course in Christian Psychology and Basic Christian Counselling Course are presented through open-distance learning. The open-distance learning method of tuition incorporates a variety of learning tools, including tutorial classes, study letters and manuals, prescribed books, online discussions and activities and in some cases DVDs. For the courses mentioned above, the May tutorial period’s classes are compulsory.
The BPsych degree is presented through the contact education method of tuition, which means that students are to attend compulsory classes. BPsych students also work through prescribed reading lists, complete online work and engage in a significant amount of practical work.
Please consult the ICP Prospectus for more information regarding the method of tuition for each course.
I am working and/or have children. Is it possible for me to cope with Degree studies? The degrees presented at the ICP are time-intensive which means that you will have to have enough time in addition to the time you allocate for work and/or child-care to work through your study material, complete assignments and prepare for, and write examinations. That said, it is doable, especially since the ICP offers the option of completing the BA degree in five years, instead of 3, and completing the BPsych (4th-year) in 3 years, instead of 1. Thus, all working students and students with families are advised to spread their workload over the maximum amount of time allowed.
The Basic Christian Counselling Course is less time-intensive and so very busy prospective students may consider completing this course instead of, for example, the BA degree.
Please consult the ICP Prospectus for more information regarding the duration and difficulty of each course.
Do you offer bursaries or student loans? The ICP does not currently offer any bursaries or student loans.
What is the difference between the degrees presented at the ICP and other accredited universities? All of the courses presented by the ICP are academic in nature. The BA and BPsych degrees are comparable to other universities’ degrees in terms of the academic standard and theoretical work. The difference between the ICP’s courses and a secular university’s courses is that theories may also be evaluated from a Christian perspective, and that some Christian theories are introduced.
Which course is the right course for me? The best way to find the course which suits you is to ask yourself what you want to do with the course.
If you are interested in church related counselling (on a lay level) and would like to register for our BA degree but do not meet the admission requirements, the Basic Christian Counselling Course (1 year) is a good option.
If you want to practice professionally, you must complete the BA Degree (Psychology) and then the BPsych Degree. You will then complete an internship (6-months full-time or 1-year part-time) and then write the Board examination set by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Once you’ve passed the Board exam, you will be able to register and operate as a registered counsellor.
There are also other courses to choose from, depending on your needs, prior education and goals. The ICP offers an academic planning service that helps prospective students to select suitable courses.
What is the difference between an Honours and a BPsych degree? The Honours degree is largely academic and thus theoretical in nature, whereas the BPsych degree is both academic and practical. Successful completion of a BPsych degree, the required internship and the HPCSA Board Exam will enable students to practice independently as registered counsellors.
Upon completion of both the Honours and BPsych degrees students may apply for a Psychology Master’s degree at various South African universities.
How do I become a registered counsellor? What can a registered counsellor do? To become a registered counsellor, you have to complete the BPsych degree, an internship and you have to pass the HPCSA Board Exam for registered counsellors. Once you’ve passed the board exam, you may register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and practice independently.
Registered Counsellors are qualified to do more formalized, structured and short-term interventions. For more information regarding the scope of practice for registered counsellors, visit the HPCSA’s website.
What do I do to become a psychologist? In order to become a psychologist, you have to complete a course work Masters degree in Psychology. To apply for a Masters degree, you need an Honours (Psychology) or a BPsych degree. Currently, the ICP does not offer a Masters degree.
I am already a practising professional but I’m interested in practising from a Christian perspective. The ICP offers a Postgraduate Course in Christian Psychology which is a one year course that focuses on the integration of psychology and biblical faith. The aim of this course is to equip Christian mental health professionals and counsellors, to provide mental health services and counselling from a biblically based systemic perspective. Please consult the ICP Prospectus for more information about this course, as well as for details regarding admission requirements.
What opportunities are there with a general BA degree obtained from the ICP? A general BA degree may lead to careers in media, journalism, advertising, politics, business and education. Students who major in Industrial Psychology have excellent opportunities in the world of work, especially in the field of Human Resources (HR).
Will it be possible for me to study and/or work overseas after completing the BA and/or BPsych degrees? We have had students in the past who completed the BA and/or BPsych degrees who were able to continue their studies in other countries, and who were employed in other countries on the basis of their qualification(s).