Can I Do MA English and MA Psychology Simultaneously at IGNOU?

Yes you can do MA English and MA Psychology together at IGNOU as per the rules of dual-programme of the university. Both are post-graduate degree programmes in Open and Distance Learning and neither usually is in the areas of excluded professional-programme areas.

The important condition is that admission to two IGNOU ODL degree programmes has to be made in different admission cycles. Thus a candidate should apply to one program in the January cycle and to the second program in the July cycle or to the second program in the next cycle.

Can I Do MA English and MA Psychology Simultaneously at IGNOU

What is Dual Degree Policy of IGNOU?

Students are allowed by the University Grants Commission to undertake a maximum of two ODL or online academic programmes at the same time. Universities may develop their own procedures for implementing this policy.

As per the present rules of IGNOU one can:

  • Two undergraduate programmes combined
  • 2 combined postgraduate programmes
  • One UG and one PG course – subject to eligibility
  • One ODL Programme and one Online Course
  • ODL Programmes of IGNOU in two different admission sessions.
  • Two online programmes in separate admission cycles IGNOU also states that examination schedules will not be changed when the dates of the two programmes clash.

Can I do MA English and MAPC together ?

MA English and Master of Arts in Psychology are two different post graduate programmes. When are you able to sign up for both:

  • You qualify for each of the courses.
  • You are admitted in different admission cycles.
  • Each admission is confirmed individually.
  • You are able to complete assignments and exams for both.
  • No programme is restricted under IGNOU’s simultaneous-registration rules.

The IGNOU MA English is popularly known as MEG or the current applicable code as displayed on the admission portal. MAPC is the code for Master of Arts in Psychology course.

Both programmes are currently two years minimum, four years maximum in length.

Admission Procedure for both the courses

Follow This:

  1. Select the programme you want to launch first.
  2. Apply for the program either in January or July intake.
  3. Wait for confirmation of admission and save the enrolment number.
  4. Apply to the second program in another admission cycle.
  5. IGNOU ODL Official Portal Admission
  6. Make sure both admissions are displaying correctly.
  7. Use 1 academic record per programme.

For example you may take MA English admission in January and MAPC admission in July. You can also reorder.

You cannot submit both ODL admission forms in the same admission cycle as IGNOU specifically asks for separate cycle for two ODL degree programmes.

Both Courses eligible

Admission Process of MA English.

Generally, for IGNOU MA English, a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university is required.

Students who have not studied English literature may be able to do the course, but may have to work harder to understand literary history, criticism, poetry, drama and fiction.

M.A. Psychology Eligibility

IGNOU MAPC is for graduates and for those students who have interest in human behaviour, mental processes and applied areas of psychology.

A bachelor’s degree in Psychology is not always required for admission, but students without a Psychology background may need to spend more time understanding research methods, statistics and psychological theories.

Understand the Variation in Workload

MA English is largely theory-based. It involves a lot of reading , literary interpretation and descriptive answer writing.

Areas of research include: English literature

  • English literature in India
  • Criticism of the literature
  • Literature of the United States
  • Literature of the Commonwealth
  • English and Literature

MAPC combines theory and practical and applied elements. The extent to which learners may have: depending on the specialisation and course structure

  • Theory homework
  • Practicum
  • Field tests
  • Internship criteria
  • Dissertation/Project work
  • Viva voce MAPC, therefore, needs more co-ordination with the Learner Support Centre than a fully theory based programme.

Exam Dates May Clash

IGNOU conducts Term-End Examinations twice a year, June and December. If you are studying two programmes at the same time you may have papers for each course on the same day, or even in the same session.

IGNOU clearly mentions that it will not reschedule the exam due to a student pursuing two programmes.

When an impact occurs you may have to:

  • Presented one paper in present TEE.
  • Keep the other paper for next TEE.
  • Re-pay examination fee for the missed paper.
  • Complete both programmes within their maximum durations.

This is one of the main practical difficulties of doing two master’s degrees of IGNOU together.

Confirm Admission Separately

Once you have applied for each course check:

  • Status of admission;
  • Code of the program
  • Reg No.
  • Centre régional
  • Learning Support Centre (LSC)
  • Courses Enrolled
  • Admission time

You may be issued with a separate enrolment number or separate programme registration details. Keep safely all the admission confirmations and payment receipts.

Download and Save IGNOU ID Card

Download identity card of each confirmed registration where separate cards are created.

Keep:

  • A hard copy
  • A digital copy on your mobile phone.
  • A copy in your mail box

The ID card is mandatory for Counselling, Practical Work, Assignment Submission and Term-End Examinations.

Read Both Program Guides Carefully

Assuming both courses are in the same academic system is not recommended.

From the MA English programme guide:

  • Course structure
  • Assignment specifications
  • System of examinations
  • Length of the programme
  • Re-registration

The MAPC guide also informs about the practical courses, internship, project work and specialisation.

Read both guides Prepare joint academic calendar.

Get Study Material and Manage Your Time

MA English folder separate. MAPC folder separate.

Here is a weekly plan that you can follow:

  • 3 days for reading and notes of MA English
  • MAPC theory and practical (3 days)
  • Review and assignment day

Use official IGNOU study material as your main academic source.

IGNOU Galaxy Student orientated updates Know. IGNOU Solved Assignments and IGNOU Handwritten Assignments are to understand the answer structure and presentation but it should be the genuine answers submitted.

Meet Deadlines for Assignments

For all programmes, the submission of assignments for each registered course is compulsory.

Check out:

  • Fix programme code
  • Course number
  • Entry session
  • Validity of assignment
  • Closing date for submission
  • Submission method permitted

Do not combine MA English and MAPC assignments in one file unless your Study Centre tells you to do so.

Keep a log of acknowledgements for each course.

Re-Registration/Examination Forms

Admission to first year does not include admission to second year

Separate complete re-registration for:

  • M.A. English second year
  • Second year MAPC.

You will need to fill up the TEE examination form separately and select the correct course codes.

Check tentative schedules for possible clashes before submitting the form.

MAPC Project, Internship and Practical Experience

Depending on the specialisation selected, MAPC may include project, internship and practical components.

Students should start these activities well ahead of time as they may need:

  • Approved supervisor
  • Approval of synopsis
  • Counselling in practice
  • Placement of interns
  • Records of cases
  • Submission of the project
  • Viva voce While IGNOU Projects may offer general guidance on organising the report, students are required to adhere strictly to the official MAPC project and internship guidelines.

Should you do both programs?

Both studies can be useful when your career goal is a combination of language and psychology.

Also of interest may be the combination of:

  • Writing educational material
  • Communication with respect to counselling
  • Publish
  • Writing on psychology
  • Inquiry
  • Research and teaching
  • Edit content on mental health
  • Communication training But it may not work if you have already a full time job, family responsibilities or little time for practical work.

What NOT to do

  • Both ODL Admissions appear simultaneously
  • Ignore possible TEE conflicts
  • Teaching MAPC as a course of pure theory
  • No separate due date for re-registering
  • Errors in course code on assignments
  • Postponing the MAPC project or internship
  • Assuming credits from one degree will automatically transfer to the other
  • Exclusively using ready-made notes

common questions

1. Is it possible to study MA English and MAPC simultaneously from IGNOU?

Yes, subject to eligibility and admission in different cycles.

2. Is it possible to take both admissions in July?

IGNOU ODL degree programmes in two admission cycles.

3.Can I do MA English in Jan & MAPC in July?

Yes, this satisfies the separate-cycle requirement.

4. Will the two degrees be recognised?

Yes as per admission and completion rules of IGNOU and UGC.

5. Will IGNOU change conflicting exams dates?

No. It is the student’s responsibility to resolve conflicts.

6. Is it possible to transfer marks or credits between the two programmes?

Common course credits are not doubled counted. In case of any alternative course needed by the IGNOU.

7. Is MAPC more difficult than MA English?

MAPC may include more practical, internship and project work.

8. Do I need a Bachelor’s in Psychology for MAPC?

Graduates may be eligible to apply under the existing programme but please refer to the latest admission prospectus.

9. Do I need to prepare separate assignments for both the programmes?

Sure thing. Each registered course has its own assignment requirement.

10. Is it possible to complete both degrees in 2 years?

Academically it could be possible but the separate admission cycles means they may not be done simultaneously.

Conclusion

IGNOU offers both MA English and MA Psychology at a time. The key requirement is to take admission to the two ODL postgraduate programmes in separate admission cycles and fulfil the eligibility criteria for each.

The combination is academically valuable but demanding Plan assignments, separate re-registration, MAPC practical work and possible examination clashes before taking the second admission.