In South Africa the field of industrial psychology is governed by the HPCSA which regulates and prescribes the minimum standards of the educational qualifications require for postgraduate studies and professional registration. Students that attain a degree in either BCom Industrial Psychology, BCom Management Sciences (Human Resource management) or BA (Human Resources) are eligible for postgraduate studies in Human Resource Management or Industrial Psychology. The subjects I have taught are primarily undergraduate which form the foundation of the more specialised postgraduate modules required for professional registration.
Within this context I believe my role as an academic is to provide my students with a learning environment in which they can develop an understanding of the field of industrial psychology but more importantly to develop a professional identity as an emerging industrial psychologist or HR practitioner. This requires the provision of content that is reflective of the environment in which they will work and exposes them to possible scenarios and challenges they face. Industrial psychology is an applied science and through my teaching I try to provide students with opportunities to discuss, question and grapple with some of the complexities of the world of work and the South African society at large.