BA Psychology Syllabus and Subjects
The BA Psychology syllabus is divided into six semesters and spans three years offering a combination of core courses, elective offerings, and practical topics. The BA Psychology subjects cover important topics such as concepts and approaches related to psychology, research methodologies, statistical methods, social psychology, etc.
The core BA Psychology subjects delve into foundational concepts like Research Methods, Cognitive Processes, Behavioral Development, Social Dynamics, etc. The elective subjects in the BA Psychology syllabus are discipline-specific advanced optional courses such as Health Psychology, Stress Management, Clinical Psychology, Emotional Intelligence, etc that students must choose from.
The BA Psychology course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour, mental processes, and the practical applications of psychological principles across various domains.
Table of Contents
Semester Wise BA Psychology Syllabus
The BA Psychology syllabus is generally the same across all colleges in India. However, there may be slight variations concerning certain subjects, elective offerings, and practical topics.
The semester-wise BA Psychology syllabus is provided in the sections below:
BA Psychology 1st Year Syllabus
BA Psychology 1st year syllabus fundamentals of the history and major fields of psychology, research methods, and statistics. The BA Psychology 1st year syllabus is given below:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Introduction to Psychology | Psychopathology |
| Research Methodology | Statistics |
| English Communication or MIL/ Environmental Science | English Communication or MIL/ Environmental Science |
Practical Topics for 1st Year BA Psychology
The BA Psychology practical topics for 1st and 2nd semester include:
- Practical on Memory and Intelligence
- Practical on Group Cohesiveness by Sociometric Method and Influence of Group on Individual Behaviour
BA Psychology 2nd Year Syllabus
The 2nd year BA Psychology syllabus focuses on the nature of developmental psychology, in-depth examination of social psychology, etc. The BA Psychology subjects in 2nd Year syllabus are given below:
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Social Psychology | Applied Social Psychology |
| Developmental Psychology | Educational Psychology |
| Counselling Psychology | Managing Human Resources |
Practical Topics for Second Year BA Psychology Syllabus
Listed below are the BA Psychology practical topics for 3rd and 4th semester:
- Practical on Anxiety and Stress
- Practical on Personality and Computation of Central Tendency, Variability Measures, Rank Difference Correlation
BA Psychology 3rd Year Syllabus
BA Psychology 3rd year syllabus focuses on discipline-specific electives that deal with advanced concepts related to the fields of psychology in detail. The BA Psychology 3rd year syllabus is given below:
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Organizational Behaviour/ Psychology at Work | Clinical Psychology/ Understanding Psychological Behaviour |
| Health Psychology/ Stress Management | Youth Gender and Identity/Social Issues |
| Positive Psychology/ Effective Decision Making | Emotional Intelligence/ Personality |
Practical Topics for Third Year BA Psychology Syllabus
Outlined below are the BA Psychology practical topics for 5th and 6th semester:
- Practical on Attachment Style
- Practical on Intrinsic Extrinsic Motivation
Also, Read: BA Syllabus and Subjects
BA Psychology Subjects - Core & Electives
The subjects in the BA Psychology curriculum delve into foundational concepts, research methodologies, applied areas, specialized topics, and practical skill enhancement courses. Explore the detailed BA Psychology Year-wise subjects and their topics below.
BA Psychology First Year Subjects
The first year BA Psychology subjects cover foundational concepts like perception, learning, motivation, memory, etc. Listed below are the BA Psychology subjects and the topics covered under them.
| Subjects | Topics Covered | Subject Type |
| Introduction to Psychology | Definitions, Scopes and Goal of Psychology, Methods of Psychology, Subfields of Psychology, Psychology in Modern India, Perception, Learning and Motivation, Memory and Forgetting. | Core |
| Research Methodology | Definition, Goal, Psychological Research, Sampling, Non-Experimental Methods. | Core |
| Psychopathology | Nature and Definitions, Abnormal Psychology, Topographical Aspects of Mind, Dynamic Aspects of Mind. | Core |
| Statistics | Meaning and Definitions of Statistics, Uses of Statistics in Psychology, Central Tendency, Variability, Correlation. | Core |
| English Communication or MIL | English Communication, Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing Skills, and Verbal Communication. | Core (Ability Enhancement) |
| Environmental Science | Ecosystem, Biodiversity, Pollution, Climate Change, Conservation, and Sustainability. |
BA Psychology Second Year Subjects
The second year BA Psychology subjects explore the dynamics of social interactions, human development, and counselling techniques. The BA Psychology second year subjects and topics covered are detailed in the table below.
| Subjects | Topics Covered | Subject Type |
| Social Psychology | Definitions, Nature, Goal and Scopes of Social Psychology, Socialization, Attitude, Public Opinion, | Core |
| Developmental Psychology | Definitions, Nature and Scope of Developmental Psychology, Life Span Development, Heredity and Environment, Domains of Human Development. | |
| Applied Social Psychology | Social Psychology and Social Issues, Anti Social Behaviour, Poverty, Deprivation. | |
| Educational Psychology | Definitions, Nature, Aims, Scopes and Uses, Education For Special Children, Education and Program Learning, and Class Room Management. | |
| Counselling Psychology | Theories of Counselling, Techniques, Therapeutic Relationships, Assessment and Diagnosis, Ethical Considerations. | Elective (Skill Enhancement) |
| Managing Human Resources | Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, Performance Appraisal, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Grievances. |
BA Psychology Third Year Subjects
The third year BA Psychology subjects offer choices for students from discipline-specific elective courses. Listed below are the BA Psychology subjects for the third year along with their topics covered.
| Subjects | Topics Covered | Subject Type |
| Organizational Behaviour | Nature and Definition, Historical Perspective, Contemporary Trends and Challenges, Work Related Attitude and Work Motivation, Leadership, Dynamics of Organizational Behaviour. | Electives (Discipline Specific) |
| Psychology at Work | Work Psychology, Minority Group at Work, Attitude at Work, Stress at Work. | |
| Health Psychology | Introduction to Health Psychology, Behaviour and Health, Health Enhancing Behaviour, Health and Well Being. | |
| Managing Stress | Nature of Stress, Symptoms of Stress, Sources of Stress, Stress and Health, Managing Stress. | |
| Positive Psychology | Introduction, Perspectives on Positive Psychology, Western and Eastern, Character Strength, Positive Emotional States and Processes, Positive Cognitive States and Processes, Application. | |
| Effective Decision Making | Introduction, Decision regarding Career, Decision Making in Interpersonal Context, Decision Making at Workplace, | |
| Clinical Psychology | Definitions and Problems of Clinical Psychology, Diagnosis, Psychotherapeutic Unit, Role of Clinical Psychology. | |
| Understanding Psychological Behaviour | Introduction to Psychology, Biological Bases of Behaviour, Cognitive Processes, Developmental Psychology, Personality Theories, Research Methods. | |
| Youth Gender and Identity | Gender Development, Gender Roles and Stereotypes, Sexuality, Issues. | |
| Social Issues | Poverty, Inequality, Discrimination, Racism, Mental Health Disparities, Social Justice. | |
| Emotional Intelligence | EQ Competencies, Self Awareness, Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Expression, Managing Emotion, Applications. | |
| Personality | Concept, Traits and Types of Personality, Determinants of Personality, Theories of Personality, Measurement of Personality |
BA Psychology Course Structure
The BA Psychology course structure is designed in a core and elective subject pattern. The BA Psychology syllabus is composed of six semesters. The course is designed to provide an overall understanding of the various concepts in psychology keeping in mind the industrial relevance. The BA Psychology course structure is mentioned below:
- VI Semesters
- Core Subjects
- Elective Subjects
- Practicals
- Thesis
Also, Check: BA Psychology vs B.Sc Psychology - Which One is Better?
BA Psychology Teaching Methodology and Techniques
BA Psychology syllabus is a dynamic course that demands a variety of teaching methodologies throughout the duration. Along with the lecture-based training, students are introduced to various techniques that help decipher various aspects of human behaviour. Some of the BA Psychology teaching methodology and techniques are listed below:
- Audio-Visual Learning
- Braille Instruction
- Experiential Learning
- Observational Learning
- Kinesthetic Learning
- Group Projects
- Talks From Guest Speakers
BA Psychology Projects
The BA Psychology projects enable students to gain pragmatic and real-time experience in their area of specialisation in the field of psychology. Recruiters from various agencies or professionals in the field often look at the student's critical assessment in their projects and hire them on that basis. Some of the common BA Psychology project topics are listed below:
- Effect of prejudice and discrimination on mental growth.
- Psychological biases in work culture due to sex and gender.
- Media violence broadcasting and its effect on children.
- Analysing the Stanford Prison Experiment.
- Relevance of Freudian concepts in the current scenario.
- Socio-cultural fashions and their effect on eating disorders.
Also, Check: List of Psychology Project Topics For Students
BA Psychology Books
The BA Psychology books cover fundamental theories, methodologies, and practical applications. The BA Psychology reference books equip students with an extensive understanding of psychological concepts and their relevance in various concepts.
The year-wise BA Psychology books followed by colleges across India are detailed in the sections below.
BA Psychology Books First Year
Students are advised to refer to the BA Psychology 1st year books listed in the table below:
| Books | Author | Topics Covered |
| Psychology | R. Baron and G. Misra | Introduction to basic psychology, basic concepts, history, and approaches. |
| Psychology: South Asian Edition | S.K. Ciccarelli, G.E. Meyer, and G. Misra | Introduction to psychology with a focus on South Asian perspectives, perceptions, consciousness, and memory. |
| Psychological Testing | R. J. Gregory | History, principles, and applications of psychological testing, intelligence testing, and personaloty assessment. |
| Introduction to Statistics in Psychology | D. Howitt and D. Cramer | Statical methods, descriptive, and inferential statistics. |
| Statistics in Psychology and Education | H.E. Garrett | Correlation, regression, and hypothesis testing in psychology. |
BA Psychology Books Second Year
The BA Psychology 2nd year books are provided in the table below for students' reference:
| Books | Author | Topics Covered |
| Social Psychology and Human Nature | R. F. Baumeister and B.J. Bushman | Social psychology, social cognition, social influence, and interpersonal relationships. |
| Child Development | L.E. Berk | Development of children, cognitive, social, and emotional development from infancy through adolescence. |
| Life Span Development | J.W. Santrock | Prenatal development, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. |
| Educational Psychology | Divesta And Thompson | Learning theories, motivation, and classroom management. |
| Abnormal Psychology | R.R.P. Sinha and B.K. Mishra | Psychological disorders, classification, causes, symptoms, and treatments. |
BA Psychology Books Third Year
The BA Psychology 3rd year books used by most of the institutions in India are provided below:
| Books | Author | Topics Covered |
| Behaviour in Organization | Greenberg and Baron | Organizational behaviour, individual behaviour, group dynamics, and organizational culture. |
| Health Psychology | M.R. DiMatteo and L.R. Martin | Psychological factors influencing health, illness, and healthcare behaviour. |
| Identity: Youth and Crisis | E.H. Erikson | Identity formation, Erikson's psychosocial theory. |
| Positive Psychology | A. Carr | Study of positive aspects of human experience. |
| Fundamental Concepts in Clinical Psychology |
G.W. Shaffer and R.S. Lazarus | Clinical psychology, assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches. |
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FAQs
What are the subjects in BA psychology?
Common subjects include Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, Statistics, Biological Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, etc.
What is the syllabus of BA 1st year psychology?
Psychology syllabus BA 1st year typically includes Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods, Statistics, and General Education courses.
Does BA psychology have maths?
Yes, BA Psychology may include a statistics course, covering basic mathematical concepts used in psychological research.
How are assessment and evaluation methods incorporated in BA Psychology?
BA Psychology subjects 1st year to 3rd year are evaluated and assessed on the basis of exams, research projects, presentations, papers, participation, and practical experiences to evaluate understanding and application of psychological concepts.
What topics are covered in BA 3rd semester Psychology syllabus?
B.A. 3rd semester psychology syllabus includes topics related to mental disorders, social behavior, cognitive processes, etc.
What skills can I expect to develop during a BA Psychology program?
Skills developed in a BA Psychology degree include critical thinking, research skills, counseling skills, and effective communication.
Can I pursue further studies in Psychology after completing a BA?
Yes, students can pursue higher education courses like MA in Psychology, MBA, PhD or advanced certification courses in Industrial Psychology, etc.
Do BA Psychology programs cover topics related to mental health and well-being?
Yes, BA Psychology programs often cover topics related to counseling, therapy, and human behavior covering mental health and well-being.
Are there specialized courses within the BA Psychology program?
Yes, students can study elective subjects like abnormal psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, etc.
Are there capstone projects or senior seminars?
Yes, students need to attend seminars throughout the course and complete the final/capstone project in the last year of the course. Although the integration of seminars depends on the university/college.
Which is better: B Sc or BA psychology?
Choice depends on preference; BSc emphasises research and science, while BA has a broader liberal arts focus for a similar career path.
How are assessment and evaluation methods incorporated in BA Psychology?
Assessment includes exams, research projects, presentations, papers, participation, and practical experiences to evaluate understanding and application of psychological concepts.