Ms. Sek Sisokhom, Head, Psychology
Tel: 855-12-841-332, Room: #309, 310, Campus I

Introduction
Given Cambodia's recent traumatic history of war, political tension, natural disasters, and rapid economic change, people require psychological assistance.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree provides solid educational training for individuals who want to alleviate many social and mental problems particularly those prevalent inCambodia.
Graduates can work as counsellors at mental health and community clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, non-government organizations, and some other government institutions. Some graduates continue their studies at the Faculty of Pedagogy to be teachers.(back to top)

Background
From 1980, the Department was a combined Psychology and Teacher-Training unit, called the Department of Pyschopedagogy. From 1993 onwards, the 4-year course was changed to focus only on psychology to coincide with international standards. The Department of Psychology has developed links with organizations that offer practicum and work placements to students and graduates, and provided guest lecturers to the department. These include:
- Transcultural Psychology Organization (TPO)
- World Vision Cambodia
- Center for Child Mental Health, Takhmao Hospital
- Friends
- Agir pour les Femmes en Situation (AFESIP)
- YWAM
- Social Services of Cambodia
- Cambodian Women's Crisis Center
- Preah Sihanouk Mental Health Clinic
- Phsar Doeum Thkov Rehabilitation Center
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) offers funds for graduate work in Siem Reap.
Two people from Monash University, Australia, help develop curriculum.(back to top)


Admission
High School Certificate and National University Entrance Examination on General Culture and Mathematics.(back to top)

Assessment
Students must take final exam worth 50% of the assessment grade. In year four, top students may write thesis and take a free elective course. The practicum gives students practical experience. (back to top)

Resources
The Department offers a free of charge Counseling Service, a small library, a computer donated by Maryknoll NGO for all students and staff of the University.(back to top)

Languages
French, English, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai. (back to top)

Course Description

GENERAL EDUCATION
English/French
As most textbooks and research books in Cambodia are written in English, foreign language acquisition is essential for professors and students alike who want to increase their skills and knowledge levels.

Introduction to Sociology
Students discover sociological perspectives on knowledge and apply their insight into social and personal issues they face in their everyday life. The subject includes theories on social issues and the behavior of man, and methods for solving community problems.

Khmer Culture and Society
The course examines the meaning and value of the Khmer culture, its elements, and its influences on other nations. Emphasis is on religion, Khmer culture in each period, and the flow of foreign culture in it. Enhances appreciation of the Khmer country and culture and reflects on the role of people in building their own country.

Cambodian History
Examines Khmer history and the evolution of the social structure of Cambodia through such topics as culture, civilization, economics, finance, agriculture, social security, education, arts, industry, architecture, and government policies.

General Philosophy
Students explore a philosophical outlook of political issues on the State, Nation, Country; laws in society; citizens' rights and obligations as outlined in the constitution, the global declaration of human rights; and the relationship between the disciplines of sociology and psychology.

General Mathematics
Students learn about physical quantities such as area, length, mass, temperature, the rate of change-speed and acceleration, algebraic relationships and operations; quadratic functions, domain and range, coordinate geometry, differentiation, permutations and combinations, areas and volumes, series, trigonometric functions, and solutions of equations. They also learn about vectors, trigonometric identities, matrices, curve sketching, transformation geometry, differentiation, coordinate geometry and integration.

General Biology
Students learn about the nervous system as the base of the anatomical, physiological and chemical organisation. They examine how nerve cells communicate with each other, the ionic basic of nerve signals, the functions and properties of chemical agents in the nervous system, and how neurons interact to produce behaviour.

Using Library Resources
Students learn how to use reference books, such as encyclopaedias, atlases and dictionaries, and how to find information using technologies such as the Internet, e-mail, CD-ROM, video and microfiche.

Introduction to Environmental Science
Examines basic concepts in environmental science and awakens students to global environmental issues, especially in Cambodia. Introduces students to the interdisciplinary nature of examining ecological resources and interaction with people, environmental pollution, renewable and non-renewable energy, and the impact of population on the environment.

PC Applications
Students gain knowledge in MS Word and Excel Programs. Students gain practical and theoretical knowledge in how to use and create texts, tables, pictures, Word Art, calculations, graphics and MS Access database program.

Statistics
It introduces students to practical applications in statistics, including statistical measures and descriptions, probability, distributions, sampling theory, estimation of parameters, tests of hypotheses, regression and correlation, analysis of variance, and nonparametric statistics.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Introduction to Psychology
Students gain an overview of the science and art of psychology, including basic theories and research across such topics as brain function and the nervous system, intelligence, creativity, development, language and psychological factors that interact with the ways people think, feel, act, perceive and reason.

Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
Students gain an understanding of basic methods used in quantitative and qualitative research in psychology. They think critically and analyse the validity and reliability of data.

Community Psychology I and II
Students are introduced to community mental health with specific reference to Cambodia. Students gain an understanding into how systems, such as family, religious, national and international communities, influence wellbeing.

Physio-Psychology
Students are introduced to the role of neurobiology in human behaviour, sensation and emotion. They reflect on the complexities of the human system and its relationship to socio-cultural environments across life spans.

History of Psychology
Students gain an understanding of the development and history of psychology in a global context. Students learn how psychology developed into a science, and to reflect on the development of psychology in Cambodia.

Anthropological Psychology I & II
Students learn to think more contextually about the field of psychology. Course content reflects on ways in which the social, cultural and environmental systems influence individual and community wellbeing.

Design and Analysis I & II
Students gain knowledge of measuring tools and devices, statistical methods and regression analysises used for data processing in psychology research as well as report writing.

Computing
Computer Science?

MAJOR COURSES
Cognitive Psychology I & II
YearII
Students learn a theoretical and working knowledge of human information processing, memory acquisition, retrieval and forgetting, and issues related to cognition, such as emotional and neurological interactions.

Theories of Personality I & II
Year II & Year III
Students gain a working knowledge of the development of personality, socio-cultural factors that influence development, and comparisons across major Euro-American theories (psychoanalytic-dynamic, behavioural, attachment etc).

Gender Psychology
Year II
Students become aware of how gender influences beliefs, perceptions, behaviours, sexual identity, the relationship between biological and psychological dimensions, human interactions, power and identity, communication, sexual behaviour and susceptibility to diseases, and political policies that impact on the equality of men and women.

Social Psychology I and II
Year II & Year III
Students develop skills in recognising how thoughts, feelings and behaviours of individuals and groups are influenced by social and cultural settings.

Abnormal Psychology I & II
Year III
Students learn to understand the complexities of social and mental disorders, including Euro-American, Japanese, Chinese and Cambodian concepts.

Cross-Cultural Psychology I & II
Students increase their understanding of the relationship between culture and human behaviour. Attention is given to how cultures have structures for order, and how disorder to cultural systems affects individual mental health and access to health care. Students learn research methods sensitive to culture and cultural differences.

Education Psychology I & II
Students gain an understanding of learning styles, learning theory, developmental tasks related to learning, and the interactions between learning environments and teaching modes.

Developmental Psychology I & II
Students learn about human development from the prenatal period through to old age. Theories on physical, emotional, cognitive, intellectual, creative and social development are explored.

Theories of Psychotherapy
The course examines Euro-American foundations and theories of psychotherapy, explores the concept of therapy as art and science and relevant concepts for the Cambodian context. Guest lectures canvass other areas such as Japanese approaches to psychotherapy.

Industrial Psychology
Students analyze work environments, difficulties for individuals and organizations, and forms of intervention by psychologists.

Family Therapy
The course introduces students to the development of family therapy in other countries, emphasising family systems and modes of communication and dynamics. Students are encouraged to reflect on Cambodian family dynamics in urban, rural and remote areas.

Cambodian Psychology
The course examines the nature of Cambodian culture (history, economics, food, customs, beliefs, language, rituals, child rearing practices, birth practices, death ceremonies etc). Concepts such as perception, cognition, emotions, beliefs, and ideas about personality are discussed in relation to culture.

Counselling Psychology I & II
Students develop a working knowledge of counselling theories. After completing this course, students will be able to explain in basic terms the major theories and practices of different types of counseling and to use elementary skills in listening and counseling.

Management Psychology
Students develop a working and theoretical knowledge of managing processes in the workplace. Key topics are group processes and structures, leadership styles, and ethical management procedures.

Buddhist Psychology
The course introduces students to Buddhist ideas, terms, stories and Buddhist notions of health and psychology. Students are asked to reflect on how various types of religions affect the theories and practices of psychology.

FREE ELECTIVE COURSES
Psychological Assessment
Students gain an overview of assessment methods that give information about normal and abnormal development (intellectual, emotional, behavioural, and creative).

Psychosocial Trauma
Students examine trauma theory and assessment measures, particularly in the Cambodian context.

Applied Psychology
Students learn about the differences between various psychology work practices, the stresses that psychologists face and ways to reduce stress in oneself. They develop a career path in psychology and map ways to continue learning in the field.(back to top)

Curriculum

YEAR ONE
Semester One		Semester Two
General Education	17 Credits	General Education	8 credits
English/ French I	2(6-0)	English/ French II	2(6-0)
Introduction to Sociology	2(2-0)	Using Library Resources	1(1-0)
Khmer Culture and Society	2(2-0)	Introduction to Environmental Science	2(2-0)
Cambodian History	3(3-0)	PC Applications	3(2-2)
General Philosophy	2(2-0)	Basic Requirements	12 credits
General Mathematics	3(3-0)	Introduction to Research Methodsin Psychology	3(3-0)
General Biology	3(3-0)	Community Psychology I	3(3-0)
Basic Requirements	3 Credits	Physio-Psychology	3(2-2)
Introduction to Psychology	3(3-0)	History of Psychology	3(3-0)
Total	20 Credits		20 Credits

YEAR TWO
Semester One		Semester Two
General Education	5 Credits	General Education	2 Credits
English/ French III	2(6-0)	English/French IV	2(6-0)
Statistics	3(3-0)
Basic Requirements	12 Credits	Basic Requirements	6 Credits
Anthropological Psychology I	3(3-0)	Anthropological Psychology II	3(3-0)
Design and Analysis I	3(3-0)	Design and Analysis II	3(2-2)
Community Psychology II	3(3-0)	Major Courses	12 Credits
Computing	3(2-2)	Theories of Personality I	3(3-0)
Major Courses	3 Credits	Gender Psychology	3(3-0)
Cognitive Psychology I	3(3-0)	Cognitive Psychology II	3(2-2)
		Social Psychology I	3(3-0)
Total	20 Credits		20 Credits

YEAR THREE
Semester One		Semester Two
General Education	2 Credits	General Education	2 Credits
English/ French V	2(6-0)	English/ French IV	2(6-0)
Major Courses	18 Credits	Major Courses	18 Credits
Abnormal Psychology I	3(3-0)	Abnormal Psychology II	3(2-2)
Cross-Cultural Psychology I	3(3-0)	Cross-Cultural Psychology II	3(2-2)
Education Psychology I	3(3-0)	Education Psychology II	3(2-2)
Developmental Psychology I	3(3-0)	Developmental Psychology II	3(3-0)
Theories of Personality II	3(3-0)	Theories of Psychotherapy	3(3-0)
Social Psychology II	3(2-2)	Industrial Psychology	3(2-2)
Total	20 Credits		20 Credits

YEAR FOUR
Semester One		Semester Two
Major Courses	12 Credits	Major Courses	6 credits
Family Therapy	3(3-0)	Counseling Psychology II	3(2-2)
Cambodian Psychology	3(3-0)	Buddhist Psychology	3(3-0)
Counseling Psychology I	3(2-2)	Minor Courses	9 credits
Management Psychology	3(3-0)	Child Abuse	3(3-0)
Free Elective Courses	9 Credits	Domestic Violence	3(3-0)
Psychological Assessment	3(3-0)	Drug, Alcohol and Sexual Abuse	3(3-0)
Psychosocial Trauma	3(3-0)	Practicum	4 credits
Applied Psychology	3(3-0)	or Thesis	15 credits
Total	21 Credits		19 Credits

(back to top)