Gain skills and knowledge to work as a human resources professional or complete further study to become a registered psychologist.
Combine studies in psychology with courses in human resource management, workplace relations, leadership and team dynamics, and management strategy. Develop knowledge of theories, methods and research findings in psychology, and learn how to apply this knowledge to human resource activities such as recruitment, selection, motivation, training and development, and management of organisational change.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Combine studies in psychology with courses in human resource management, workplace relations, leadership and team dynamics, and management strategy. Develop knowledge of theories, methods and research findings in psychology, and learn how to apply this knowledge to human resource activities such as recruitment, selection, motivation, training and development, and management of organisational change.
Career opportunities
Human resources, management, recruitment, staff development and training, industrial relations, employment relations, psychology (with further study).
Membership
Australian Human Resources Institute; Australian Institute of Management; Australian Institute of Training and Development.
Accreditation
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) has accredited Pathway 1 of the Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Business (Psychology and Human Resource Management) as a three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology. Following successful completion of an accredited honours year plus either further accredited postgraduate study or supervision following the guidelines of the Psychologists Registration Board in their state or territory, graduates may be eligible for registration as a psychologist in that state or territory.
Honours
USC offers an accredited honours year—the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours)—to enable direct entry upon completion of Pathway 1. Note that a minimum grade point average in the Pathway 1 psychology courses is required for honours entry.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete either Pathway 1 or Pathway 2.
- In Pathway 1, students must complete 1 core course, 14 required PSY coded courses, 15 required Business courses, 1 elective from the School of Business and 1 elective from any faculty.
- In Pathway 2, students must complete 1 core course, 8 required PSY coded courses, a 4 course minor and 2 electives from the School of Communication or the School of Social Sciences, 15 required Business courses, 1 elective from the School of Business and 1 elective from any faculty.
- Complete a maximum of 5 introductory level courses from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences.
- Complete no more than 192 units of introductory level courses in total, including the core course.
- Register any selected Majors and Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 Study Plan.
Pathway 1
This pathway may lead to direct entry into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program, subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core course
Core course (1):
COR109 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Futures 101: Futures Methods and Techniques
PSY101 Strategic Foresight Leadership
Advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Sustainable Futures
PSY201 Applied Futures Studies: Methods, Values and Strategy
PSY202 Applied Futures Studies: Methods, Values and Strategy
PSY203 Communication and Thought
PSY204 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY205 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY300 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY301 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY302 Physiological Psychology
PSY303 Introduction to Human Development
PSY304 Social Psychology
PSY305 Motivation and Emotion
School of Business courses
Introductory courses (6):
BUS101 Advanced Methods in Psychology
BUS102 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
BUS104 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
BUS105 Personality and Assessment
BUS106 Human Associative Learning
BUS108 Abnormal Psychology
Advanced courses (9):
BUS203 Business Analytics
BUS320 Introduction to Economics
COU276 Management and Organisational Behaviour ^
HRM210 Introduction to Marketing
HRM211 Accounting for Business
HRM220 Introduction to Informatics
HRM221 Business Law and Ethics
HRM312 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
HRM321 Group Processes and Practice
Elective course (1):
Select 1 elective course from the School of Business
Elective course (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
^ COU276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 388
Pathway 2
This pathway will not lead to direct entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program.
Indirect entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program would require completion of 6 further Psychology courses, and would be subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core courses
1 core course:
COR109 Managing Human Resources
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2)
PSY100 Staffing and Remuneration
PSY101 Managing Workplace Relations
Advanced courses (2)
PSY200 Employment and Industrial Law
PSY201 Training and Development
PLUS Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Managing Organisational Change
PSY203 Communication and Thought
PSY204 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY205 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY300 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY301 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY302 Physiological Psychology
PSY303 Introduction to Human Development
PSY304 Social Psychology
Minor
Select a minor (4 courses) from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Elective courses
Select 2 elective courses from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
School of Business
Required courses (6)
BUS101 Motivation and Emotion
BUS102 Advanced Methods in Psychology
BUS104 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
BUS105 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
BUS106 Personality and Assessment
BUS108 Human Associative Learning
Advanced courses (9)
BUS203 Business Analytics
BUS320 Introduction to Economics
COU276 Management and Organisational Behaviour ^
HRM210 Introduction to Marketing
HRM211 Accounting for Business
HRM220 Introduction to Informatics
HRM221 Business Law and Ethics
HRM312 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
HRM321 Group Processes and Practice
Elective course (1)
Select 1 elective course from the School of Business
Elective course
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
^ COU276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 384