SIM Global Education

CRIME is her passion - studying crime, that is. As a little girl, Lin Jiapei, 21, had listened with fascination to the stories her policeman uncle told about his job.

So when she grew up, she decided to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the SIM Global Education (SIM GE).

The three-year degree is awarded by the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York.

The second-year student said: "I saw this degree as a step towards a Master's in Forensic Science or Criminology."

Jiapei said she chose SIM GE because of the liberal arts system upon which the psychology degree is based.

She said: "SIM's programme is modelled on the US education system so there is a diversified range of courses.

"Apart from psychology courses, we're allowed to take electives as well.

"I took a course in nutrition, which has nothing to do with psychology, but was really interesting."

Jiapei also felt a US degree would give her a competitive edge in the international job market, which is especially important to her because of the limited number of forensic jobs in Singapore.

She said the programme is the next best option for those who cannot afford to study abroad. Another attractive aspect of the programme is the web-based format of some of the courses. Students here get to "attend" lectures at the Buffalo campus via a video clip.

Students here then have the option of discussing the lecture topics with students and lecturers in the US using an online discussion board.

Jiapei said: "I love participating using the discussion board because the American students ask different questions and have different responses from us.

"We get to see first-hand how the same psychology theory is applied in different cultures."

While the programme allows students to study for a year at the Buffalo campus, Jiapei is undecided whether to do so.

She explained: "I am definitely interested, but I think I might save my money to go abroad for a Master's programme in Criminology instead."