Free seminar on education and career options in Psychology
Date - Sunday May 22
Time - 10:00 am
Venue - Missouri University S&T, Sri Lanka Campus, No.314, R.A.De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3

Psychology Careers in Sri Lanka
A recent study conducted on Psychology education in Sri Lanka revealed that much opportunity is available for Psychology graduates in the fields of; clinical, corporate consultancy, Human resource development and management, cports, cocial services, family consultancy, educational counselling, Social research and other governmental and non-governmental service organizations. The same research revealed the plight of our Psychology education system by identifying the handful of degree qualified psychologists employed in these areas.

Clinical Psychology
Psychology education comes in two forms. The most commonly known form "Clinical Psychology" involves the perspective that the "patient" is "ill" and needs "treatment" from an authority on what constitutes "normal behaviour" and "normal thinking". The distressed individual is the focus of diagnosis and treatment. In such cases, a psychiatrist can prescribe medication to help the patient come back within the range of neurochemical normalcy, and a psychologist can offer various therapies to help the patient return to a range of behavioural and attitudinal normalcy. While this traditional paradigm is the most common, it has lost its impact and value in most developed educational and social systems.

Community Psychology
The other more modern approach to psychology is known as "Community Psychology" or applied psychology, and has gained wide respect and popularity in Europe and the US. It is an approach that recognizes the impact of Socio-cultural systems on the individual and the professional's call to be socially responsible in addressing that impact. It tries to take a preventive approach to issues and their psychological consequences, to improve the mental well-being of individuals and society by making a saner world in which empowered people can be happily adjusted and be productive. Community Psychologists includes counselling with an eye toward personal development, empowering the individual within an improved Socio-cultural context.

In Sri Lanka both forms of psychology education was traditionally restricted to a fortunate few who enjoyed the luxury of foreign and limited local University admission.

Missouri University of Science and Technology - Degree Psychology
After careful deliberation of the impact of these missed opportunities for Sri Lankan students, parents and working professionals, Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), USA, commenced the degree programmes over 5 years ago. A limited number of scholarships are offered in collaboration with Missouri S&T, as a gesture of commitment to human resource development in Sri Lanka. Students can obtain either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with an emphasis on areas such as Counselling psychology, Family psychology, Adolescent psychology, Child psychology, Industrial/Organisational psychology, Behavioural psychology, Experimental psychology and Clinical Psychology. These degrees are awarded by the Missouri S&T, USA, a top 5 ranked specialized university in Science and Technology in the US.

High demand for Psychology graduates
Missouri S&T Psychology degree has produced many graduates in the last few years. It's indeed heartening to see that all of the graduates are successful in their chosen areas. While some have opted for postgraduate level education (Master's and Doctoral level) studies in reputed local and overseas universities, the others have entered top level positions in NGOs, private sector firms, and other service organisations. The degree programme in Sri Lanka has achieved the same level or career success observed in the US, where 90% of the graduates have a job within 3 months. In the recently concluded Missouri S&T graduation 5 students achieved Missouri S&T - 4.0 GPA gold medal awards, which are given to the most outstanding students of the university.

Enrol after O/Levels and A/Levels
O/L qualified students now have the unique opportunity to complete their entire Bachelor's degree within just four years, while A/L qualified students are able to complete the degree in just three years. The flexibility of the programme allows students to enrol with pending results in their examinations. Full-time psychology students could take classes on a flexible schedule during the week. Missouri S&T psychology students benefit immensely from the American education system which is based on the all round education of a student, concentrating on high academic standards, continuous assessments, field work, industry exposure and internships.

Seats are limited - confirm your participation
Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) invites A/L and O/L students and their parents to attend this seminar to find out education and career options in Psychology and other related careers. The workshop is conducted by a visiting US University professor specialized in Clinical, Counselling and Health Psychology. Since seats are limited prior confirmation is essential. Please call Jani on 0777 517 517 to make your reservation.