Course Title : Advanced Diploma in Child & Adolescent Psychology (Adv.Dip.CAP)
For whom (target group) : Explore the fascinating world of child and adolescent psychology, with our most advanced course in Child & Adolescent Psychology to date! Learn how to transform your ambition and enthusiasm into a rewarding career for life, under the watch of your own personally-assigned online tutor! Study each key developmental period throughout childhood and adolescence, exploring concepts such as socialization, attachment theory, cognitive and moral development and more. Discover how children build language and communication skills, connect with the world around them and form their own unique identity and personalities for life. Enjoy the freedom to study online at a pace that suits your lifestyle, for the opportunity to earn an Advanced Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychology!
Flexible Entry Requirements: University Graduates in any discipline or Members of recognized Professional bodies, or School Teachers or Montessori / Assistant Teachers, or Professional / Academic Diploma or Advanced / Higher (National) Diploma holders AND Holders of a recognized Diploma in Child Psychology, Teacher Training, Education, Psychology or Counselling, and G.C.E. O/L or A/L’s and age not less than 21 years, and Fluency of the English language is essential.
Course Duration : 18 weeks (4.5 Months) – part time study
Contact Hours : 4 Hrs. per week
Total No. of Classes : 18 class-contact sessions
Total No. of Contact Hours : 72 Hrs. of Lectures and discussion time
Class Times : Tuesdays: 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Individual Fast-Track Class: Flexible (4 hours per week – on weekdays only)
The 12 Course Modules:
Unit 1. Child Psychology: An Overview
The course begins with a detailed overview of child psychology as both a profession and a more general concept. Students explore the objectives and challenges associated with child psychology, the developmental stages a child goes through and the role the child psychologist plays in nurturing a child’s strong and healthy development.
Unit 2. Overview of Attachment in Childhood (I)
A detailed exploration of attachment theory begins in module two, which presents a fascinating introduction to Bowlby’s Attachment Theory. Students learn how and why children form attachments with those around them, while discussing related topics such as maternal deprivation hypothesis and an overview of evolutional theory.
Unit 3. Overview of Attachment in Childhood (II)
Attachment theory is further explored in module three, which examines Spitz’ Studies of Children in Institutions and Harlow’s Studies of Monkeys. Students build a more detailed understanding of how and why babies and children form attachments throughout their development.
Unit 4. Effects of Separation and Loss on Attachment
Module four then turns attention to the potential issues and challenges associated with attachment breakdowns. Examples of which include separation and bereavement, along with how children in foster care may face greater challenges than those raised by their biological parents.
Unit 5. Factors that Influence Development
Course module five brings a series of factors known to affect a child’s development into discussion. A number of pressures that can impact both the cognitive and social development of children are examined, along with the extent to which such factors can be controlled or otherwise by parents and caregivers.
Unit 6. Social and Emotional Development
Students are then provided with a fascinating overview of social and emotional development in children. Learners study the process of socialization, factors that can positively and negatively influence a child’s social development and the potential consequences associated with slow or stunted emotional development in children.
Unit 7. Understanding the Personality Development of Children
In chapter seven, learners discover how and why children develop their own unique personalities as they progress towards adolescence and adulthood. Personality manifestation and character development are examined, along with the various factors and influences in a child’s life that can affect their developing personalities.
Unit 8. Stages of Language Development
A series of language and communication developmental theories are discussed in module eight, which studies the evolution of communication in children and examines lexical development theory. Students also study several common language and communication difficulties, along with their causes, effects and how they can be treated.
Unit 9. Understanding Moral Development
The development of a personal moral and ethical code is discussed in chapter nine, which details the various moral growth stages children go through (Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development). The value of a strong sense of moral reasoning is also discussed, along with several common challenges associated with moral and ethical development.
Unit 10. Problems in Infancy
Course module ten examines some of the most common developmental problems experienced during infancy. Students study issues such as night terrors, sleepwalking and nightmares in general, along with the role parents and qualified professionals play in the detection and treatment of such problems.
Unit 11. Problems in Childhood
The penultimate module brings childhood developmental issues into discussion, explaining why many children become unusually aggressive towards other people and creatures in general. Social information processing theory is examined, along with conduct disorder theory and more.
Unit 12. Problems in Adolescence
Bringing the course to a close, module 12 examines some of the most common issues encountered during adolescents. Examples of which include the causes and effects of common eating disorders, the risk of drug abuse in adolescence and how the input of parents and child psychologists can help.
Mode of Final Examination and Assessment
The award of the IMH Advanced Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychology will be contingent upon passing a 3-hour internally set unseen essay type final Examination paper to be answered on a closed book examination mode under invigilation at the Institute premises in Colombo-04.
Regular Group Course Fees : Rs. 79,000/- + Rs. 1,000/- for registration (Full course fee of Rs. 80,000/- to be paid in two installments of Rs. 40,000/- by cash, credit card or cheque)
Online / Distance Learning “Self-Study’ Course Fees : USD $190 or Rs. 60,000/- (for foreign students and other professionals and healthcare practitioners living or working out of the Western Province in Sri Lanka will be considered on an individual case-by-case basis).
Next Course Start Date : Group Class: To be announced soon (A maximum of 15 students will be enrolled for the group class)
Individual Class: On a mutually agreeable timetable schedule – date and time (to be decided jointly by the participant and the resource person).
Resource Person: Prof. Sir Romesh Jayasinghe, OLS, Ph.D.(Psy,), Dh.C.(Florida), FRSM(UK) FRSPH(UK), FACCPH(UK), FTBCCT(UK), Grad.Dip.Ed.(UK), Adv.Dip.(Child Psychology), Adv.Dip.(Psychology), Dip.(Children’s Mental Health), Dip.(Educational Psychology), Dip.(Special Education Needs), Dip.(Speech and Language Therapy), Dip.(Nutrition Science)- Educator / Trainer, Psychotherapist, Master Life Coach (USA), Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (ICBCH, USA), Certified Relationship Coach (CPR, USA), Certified Coach in Self-Esteem Elevation for Children (USA), Certified in Child & Adolescent Counselling (UK), Health Coach (UK), Certified Nutritionist (UK), Member of the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH), UK
Counselling Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Health and Wellness Coach
International Course Accreditation: