CPD The Roots of Mind: Exploring the Evolution of Psychological Thought

• New for 2027 - Level 7 postgraduate CPD module, 20 credits

• 12 week course, fully online, mix of live and asynchronous learning

• No psychology degree or previous experience needed

• Examine how historical, philosophical, and scientific developments shape contemporary psychology

• Explore psychological thought, the mind/body debate, and major theoretical paradigms

• Develop transferable skills in critical thinking, academic writing, and evidence-based reasoning

• Study as a standalone CPD or progress through the MSc Psychology (Conversion) pathway aligned with British Psychological Society (BPS) curriculum expectations

• Ideal for graduates and professionals balancing study with work and personal commitments

This module welcomes curious minds to explore the historical, conceptual, philosophical, and methodological foundations of psychology.

How have historical debates, philosophical traditions, scientific developments, and cultural perspectives shaped contemporary understandings of mind, brain, behaviour, and mental life?

The course has been designed for graduates and professionals from diverse disciplinary backgrounds who wish to deepen their understanding of psychology while developing advanced analytical, academic, and reflective skills.

Join online for an advanced learning opportunity that will support your personal and professional growth and boost your psychology knowledge.

This level 7 credit-bearing CPD module is delivered by experts in Liverpool John Moores University’s respected School of Psychology.

You will engage critically with major psychological paradigms and perspectives, including:

• conceptual and historical issues in psychology

• the mind/body debate

• philosophical foundations of psychological science

• research traditions and methodological development

• biopsychosocial approaches to behaviour and health

• ethical and professional issues in psychology

• contemporary debates within psychological theory

You will study through a fully online and predominantly asynchronous model that allows flexible engagement with learning materials while balancing professional, personal, or caring responsibilities. Scheduled synchronous office hours provide opportunities for direct interaction with academic staff and support a strong sense of academic community throughout the module.

Teaching is informed by current scholarship and contemporary psychological research within LJMU’s School of Psychology. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate evidence, engage with primary academic literature, and develop independent perspectives on major psychological questions and debates.

As the module is delivered directly by the university, you will benefit from the same institutional virtual learning environment and digital academic resources used across LJMU programmes, ensuring parity of academic standards and direct engagement with university staff.

Throughout the module, you will develop advanced transferable skills in:

• critical analysis

• academic writing

• evidence-based reasoning

• reflective practice

• research literacy

• digital scholarship

• independent study

• professional communication

Students who successfully complete the module will receive a Liverpool John Moores University Certificate of Professional Development worth 20 Level 7 credits.

The module may be studied independently as a standalone CPD qualification or combined with additional CPD modules within the MSc Psychology (Conversion) framework. Students who complete the required CPD modules may subsequently progress to the dissertation stage in order to complete the full MSc award.

The wider MSc Psychology (Conversion) framework has been designed around the curriculum expectations associated with future British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation.

Teaching and learning on this fully online CPD programme are delivered through a flexible predominantly asynchronous model, enabling you to engage with weekly learning materials, readings, and activities at times that fit around professional and personal commitments.

Scheduled synchronous office hours provide opportunities for direct interaction with academic staff, clarification of concepts, discussion of assessments, and academic guidance throughout the module.

You will learn through a combination of structured digital resources, guided independent study, critical discussion activities, reflective exercises, and engagement with historical and contemporary psychological literature.

The programme has been designed by academics with expertise in psychology, online education, and postgraduate curriculum development. Teaching is informed by current scholarship and contemporary debates within psychological science.

The curriculum progresses through key historical, conceptual, and methodological developments in psychology, supporting the development of critical understanding, analytical reasoning, reflective practice, and research literacy.

Teaching methods

Teaching is delivered through a combination of:

• structured online learning materials

• guided reading of primary and secondary academic literature

• short-form multimedia learning resources

• online discussion and collaborative learning activities

• reflective and analytical writing exercises

• independent scholarly research

• scheduled synchronous office hours

The programme uses the same institutional virtual learning environment and systems as wider LJMU provision, ensuring students are fully integrated within the LJMU academic environment.

Applied learning

Throughout the programme, you will apply conceptual and theoretical understanding to contemporary psychological, cultural, ethical, and professional questions.

You will develop practical postgraduate-level skills in:

• critical evaluation of evidence

• academic and professional communication

• reflective analysis

• synthesis of complex information

• scholarly research and literature analysis

• digital academic research tools

• evidence-based reasoning

The final integrative project enables students to synthesise historical, conceptual, and contemporary perspectives in response to a complex psychological issue or debate.

The Roots of Mind: Exploring the Evolution of Psychological Thought consists of one 20-credit Level 7 module studied across 12 weeks.

The curriculum has been designed to provide a rigorous introduction to the historical and conceptual foundations of psychology while supporting progression into wider postgraduate psychology study.

Students may study the module independently as a standalone Certificate of Professional Development or combine it with additional CPD modules within the MSc Psychology (Conversion) framework.

The module contributes toward a broader MSc Psychology (Conversion) pathway aligned with British Psychological Society (BPS) curriculum expectations.

Qualification requirements

• IELTS

  IELTS English Language at a minimum of 7.0 or equivalent, with no less than 6.5 in any single component.

Further information

• Extra Requirements
  • Minimum 2:2 degree, obtained in a University recognised at the World Higher Education Database (WHED)
  • Must achieve 60% or above pass mark in final year research project/dissertation, or demonstrate the acquisition of a suficient foundation in research skills appropriate to Psychology

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

We are looking for students with intellectual curiosity, motivation, and commitment to engage critically with psychological ideas, historical perspectives, and contemporary debates within psychology.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to engage with postgraduate-level study through independent learning, analytical reasoning, reflective thinking, and effective written communication.

As this is an intensive Level 7 CPD module, effective time management and active engagement with online learning activities will be important to your success.

Students should also be prepared to engage critically with academic literature, participate in online discussion and reflective learning activities, and develop advanced skills in evidence-based analysis and scholarly research.

Assessment is designed to develop critical understanding, reflective interpretation, academic argumentation, and engagement with psychological theory through authentic postgraduate-level tasks.

You will be assessed through a combination of:

• discussion questions and reflective discussion activities
• a reflective learning log
• a final integrative project

Discussion activities encourage critical engagement with weekly learning materials, theoretical perspectives, and contemporary psychological debates. The reflective log supports the development of self-awareness, reflective practice, and independent scholarly learning.

The final project enables students to critically evaluate psychological concepts, research evidence, and theoretical perspectives while developing well-supported academic arguments in response to complex psychological questions.

Formative feedback is provided throughout the module to support progressive development in analytical reasoning, academic writing, reflective learning, and evidence-based interpretation.