• Program summary
• Program overview
• Accreditation
• Career opportunities
• Special features
• Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and articulation
• Program structure
• Program requirements and notes
• Enquiries

Program summary

QTAC code: 011261
OP/Rank for 2009 entry: OP-17 / Rank-66
Award abbreviation: BSocSc(Psych)
Degree type: undergraduate
Mode of study: on campus
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
Commence:  Semester 1 or Semester 2
Recommended prior study: English
USC program code: AR374
CRICOS code: 063008D

Program overview

The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) provides a broad understanding of core topics in psychology, including cognitive, developmental, abnormal and social psychology, and research methods.

The program can lead to a wide variety of careers where an understanding of psychology and human behaviour is an advantage, or you may choose to complete further study to meet the requirements for registration as a psychologist.

Elective courses allow you to link your psychology studies with other disciplines, such as counselling, human services, exercise science or human resource management.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a three-year undergraduate program in psychology.

To become a registered psychologist in your state/territory, you will need to complete the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology), plus either (1) an accredited honours year, or (2) a postgraduate diploma in psychology. You will then need to complete either (1) further accredited postgraduate study, or (2) supervision that follows the guidelines of the Psychologists Registration Board in your state/territory.

USC offers an accredited honours year—the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours)—to which you may gain direct entry upon completion of the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology). Please note that a minimum grade point average in psychology courses is required for honours entry.

Career opportunities

Opportunities may include:

• community work 
• exercise science 
• health and education services 
• human resources management 
• research and management in the public and private sectors 
• training and development

Special features

• combines studies in social science with professional training in psychology
• opportunities to undertake further study to become a registered psychologist

Program structure

Core courses

Select 2 courses from:
COR109 Occupational Therapy Research & Evaluation (Research Pathway)
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Introductory courses

2 required courses:
PSY100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology A

Advanced courses

14 required courses:
PSY200 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY202 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY203 Physiological Psychology
PSY201 Introduction to Human Development
PSY204 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY205 Social Psychology
PSY300 Motivation and Emotion
PSY301 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY302 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY303 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY304 Personality and Assessment
PSY305 Human Associative Learning
PSY306 Abnormal Psychology
PSY307 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing

Elective courses

Select 6 elective courses from any faculty (Arts and Social Sciences, Business or Science, Health and Education)

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.

Program requirements and notes

1. No more than 10 introductory level courses are to be completed, including core courses.
2. Refer to the Academic Rules.
3. Refer to explanation of terms.
4. Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
5. International students need to refer to the English language requirements.
6. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
7. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods, for example, essays, seminar presentations, practicum reports, in-class tests, and examinations.

Enquiries

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

Program Leader
Professor Mary Katsikitis
Tel: +61 7 5456 5034
Email: mkatsiki@usc.edu.au

* Subject to final approval

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