People of all walks of life are fascinated by human behaviour. Why are some people better under pressure and others struggle? What influences decision-making tendencies, and how do we live with feelings? Psychology courses provide scientific answers to these questions by exploring the complex workings of the human mind. With the increase in concern about mental health, human psychology courses have become very popular with learners who want to learn more about themselves and other people.
For instance, the number of applicants for postgraduate psychology courses in SDM Ujire, part of Mangalore University, has quadrupled since 2020, as reported in April 2025. School graduates often begin their journey with human psychology courses after 12th, while working professionals explore psychology courses online with a certificate for career advancement. The discipline includes a wide range of learning options, including in-depth short programmes on counselling psychology to broad training on online programme certifications in psychology.
What Are Psychology Courses?
Psychology courses provide a systematic study of the way the human being thinks, feels and functions using scientific approaches and research. Such courses empower students to learn how to observe, analyse, and comprehend the reasoning behind why people behave in a certain manner in various situations.
Students are taught to see patterns in behaviour, learn what the environment and genetics contribute to it, and be aware of how mental processes can influence everyday actions. The field covers several specialised areas that form the foundation of psychological understanding:
- Cognitive psychology: Analyses how people think, such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- Social psychology: Examines how people influence each other and behave in groups
- Abnormal psychology: Deals with mental disorders and their treatment
- Developmental psychology: Tracks human development and the changes that occur from birth up to old age
- Biological psychology: Investigates the way the brain works and how that working relates to behaviour.
Who Can Take Psychology Courses?
Psychology courses welcome learners from diverse educational backgrounds and professional experiences. The field values curiosity about human behaviour more than specific academic prerequisites, making it accessible to anyone interested in understanding psychological principles.
- Students after 12th: May undertake human psychology courses after 12th without any background in psychology. These introductory classes teach the students the fundamentals using interactive lectures, case studies, and practical exercises that allow them to slowly develop knowledge.
- Graduates from any stream: Such students can pursue psychology certificate courses irrespective of their previous major. Science, arts, and commerce graduates bring unique perspectives that enrich classroom discussions and group projects in psychology programs.
- Working professionals: May enrol in online psychology certificate courses to understand workers better, optimise communication in their offices, and better comprehend individual motivations and group dynamics in the present workplaces.
- Aspiring counsellors: May consider a certificate in mental health counselling programs that teach basic skills that will put them in positions of entry level to work as mental health assistants, community outreach workers, and crisis intervention specialists.
Types of Beginner Psychology Courses
Beginner psychology courses are structured to suit various learning needs, offering flexibility in content delivery and academic depth. The types of courses available are:
1. Free or Low-Cost Psychology Courses Online With Certificate
There are various reputable universities and learning platforms that offer psychology courses online with certificate options, which offer high-quality education. Such courses can involve video lectures and readings, peer conversations, and graded assessments similar to those in the physical classroom.
- Introduction to Psychology — Yale (Coursera): In-depth study of the fundamentals of human behaviour, memory and interacting with others, with weekly assignments
- Psychological First Aid — Johns Hopkins (Coursera): An online course on crisis response and how to give emotional support in emergency scenarios
- Positive Psychology — UNC (Coursera): Concerned with mental health and habits contributing to happiness and life satisfaction
- Intro to Psychology — Udacity: Examines the processes of memory, learning, emotion, and decision-making through interactive activities
2. Short Courses in Counselling Psychology
Short courses in counselling psychology focus on basic helping skills and communication techniques used in therapy settings.
- Alison: Diploma in Psychology: Free, self-paced course covering basics of counselling and mental health support
- Udemy: Introduction to Counselling: 4–8 hours of content teaching beginner-friendly counselling techniques and ethics
- FutureLearn: Introduction to CBT: Introduces cognitive behavioural therapy frameworks and practical applications
3. Psychology Certificate Courses and Online Programs
Formal certificate programmes provide structured learning with recognised credentials for career advancement.
- IAP College: Psychology Certificate Course: 6 6-week program covering thinking patterns and behaviour analysis with practical exercises
- Harvard Extension: Topics in Human Behaviour: 4 courses covering social psychology and human development, part of online psychology certificate programs
- ISST Certificate in Psychology: Covers mental health awareness, behaviour analysis, and basic counselling skills with certification
Human Psychology Courses After 12th
Class 12 graduates have several options to begin studying psychology at different levels and time commitments.
- BA/BSc Psychology: 3-year undergraduate program covering comprehensive psychology theory and research methods
- Diploma in Psychology: A 1–2 year program offered online and offline, focusing on practical applications and basic theory
- Certificate programs: 3–6 months courses via online platforms teaching fundamental concepts and basic skills
Students can start with psychology certificate courses to test their interest before committing to longer degree programmes. For those aiming to expand their academic and cultural exposure, several international institutions allow students to study psychology abroad, offering global perspectives and diverse classroom experiences.
Certificate in Mental Health Counselling
Mental health awareness has increased demand for basic counselling skills in community settings and workplaces.
- IAP College Certificate: Teaches basic skills for emotional support and recognising mental health concerns in community settings
- NIMHANS (India): Offers entry-level mental health courses for community workers and healthcare assistants
- Udemy short courses: Teach identification and communication of mental health concerns with practical scenarios and case studies
Scope of Psychology After 12th
The scope of psychology after the 12th includes multiple career paths that serve different populations and work settings, such as:
- Clinical psychology: Diagnosing mental disorders and providing therapy in hospitals and private practice settings
- Counselling psychology: Providing guidance and therapy for personal problems, relationships, and life decisions
- Educational psychology: Working in schools to support student learning, behaviour management, and academic achievement
- Industrial psychology: Applying psychology principles to workplace productivity, employee motivation, and organisational development
Early exposure through human psychology courses after the 12th and short courses in counselling psychology helps students explore these different areas.
Psychology Courses Scope: Career Options
Psychology certificate courses can lead to entry-level positions that use basic psychology knowledge and skills. This career diversity directly challenges myths about psychology as a career having a limited professional scope and application areas.
- School Counsellor: Supports students with academic and personal problems in educational settings
- HR Assistant: Uses behaviour knowledge in hiring processes, employee training, and workplace conflict resolution
- Rehabilitation Assistant: Works with mental health professionals to support patients in recovery programmes.
- Behaviour Therapist (entry level): Uses skills from short courses in counselling psychology to assist in therapy sessions
Conclusion
Psychology courses help learners understand how people behave and respond to different situations. Human psychology courses after 12th, short courses in counselling psychology, and psychology certificate courses are available in flexible online and offline formats. Learners can also join comprehensive online psychology certificate programmes for deeper knowledge. These educational options support career exploration and demonstrate the wide psychology courses available for different interests and goals.
