Introduction
The Department of Psychology at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) was established on 12 December 2023 in response to the growing demand for quality psychology education across Pakistan. This initiative reflects AIOU’s commitment to expanding its academic offers to meet evolving educational and societal needs. By launching psychology programs through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), the department aims to enhance access to higher education in psychology for the masses. The Department of Psychology is now fully functional and is set to launch its new programs in Spring 2026 semester. The Department of Psychology is committed to promoting accessible, inclusive and research-driven education in the field of Psychology through Open and Distance Learning. This department is envisioned to function not only as a center of academic excellence in the field of psychology but also as a dedicated servicing department committed to providing psychological well-being of both students and faculty members. The department actively promotes psychological awareness, reduces stigma, and emphasizes the critical importance of emotional and mental well-being as foundational to personal, academic and professional success.
Programme:
- BS Psychology 4 Years
- Associate Degree in Psychology 2 Years
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Objectives
The department has outlined the following objectives to guide its academic activities.
- Offer comprehensive psychology programs providing strong theoretical & practical foundations.
- Design specialized courses to address emerging trends and advancements in the field of psychology.
- Promote psychological research within the department & encourage the dissemination of findings through publications and presentations at national & international conferences.
- Implement initiatives to raise awareness & reduce stigma associated with mental health issues.
Academic Facilities
To support effective learning & research, the department provides a range of modern academic facilities, including:
- Latest Books & scholarly Journals along with internet facility.
- Audio-Visual Aids(AVA) resources from Institute of Educational Technology (IET).
Future Plans
The department is dedicated to broadening its academic & research horizons by launching diverse programs & initiatives aimed at enhancing educational quality, fostering scholarly exchange & supporting the psychological well-being of the community.
- The department intends to offer the following programs:
- Bs (2.5 year)
- Bs (associate degree based, 2 year)
- Professional certifications and courses.
- Ms & phd in psychology.
- Organizing seminars & conferences to promote knowledge sharing & awareness raising.
- Establishing a psychological well-being centre on campus, providing support services for both faculty & students.
- Launching a research journal to showcase scholarly work & advancements in the field of psychology.
Community engagement:
Department of psychology is deeply committed to fostering strong community engagement by actively collaborating with local organizations, institutions & stakeholders to promote mental health awareness & support.
- Facilitate internships & fieldwork opportunities for students through collaboration with hospitals, clinics, and mental health institutions.
- Develop & broadcast radio & television programs dedicated to raising public awareness about mental health issues, reducing stigma & educating the community on psychological well-being and available support services.
- Invite experts & practitioners in our seminars & conferences to discuss common psychological challenges & coping strategies, ensuring content is accessible and engaging for diverse audiences.
programmes
Contact Details
Department of Psychology
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY BLOCK NO: 11 ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, H-8, ISLAMABAD
dop@aiou.edu.pk
051-9576890
