Help others with their mental wellbeing.
The program takes an in depth look at our mental processes and helps you understand why people think, feel and behave as they do. The training is scientifically and ethically based to teach you types of behaviour, examine personality and to do formal personality assessments.
- 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.
The program takes an in depth look at our mental processes and helps you understand why people think, feel and behave as they do. The training is scientifically and ethically based to teach you types of behaviour, examine personality and to do formal personality assessments.
You cover theoretical understanding and do practical training in the treatments for abnormal behaviours and psychological disorders. The program gives you high level statistical and research skills and there’s an opportunity to do an advanced research project in your Honours year.
Our psychology staff are national teaching and learning award winners and you'll also get the opportunity to participate in paid research assistant work in your second or third year of study.
And, the really great news is that when you finish this degree you are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Now, that’s a healthy thought…
Please visit Study in Psychology for more information.
Career opportunities
You can work in many private and government agencies that help people mentally function better, including organisations that work with children, teenagers and adults of all ages. Your skills are in demand in countless areas of life, from health and community care to sporting organisations.
Membership
Graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Graduates are also eligible to apply for entry to psychology postgraduate training programs.
Accredited pathway to becoming a psychologist
Our honours program is an APAC accredited fourth-year course in psychology, giving you a highly recognised qualification and eligibility for registration as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) *.
Our Master of Psychology (Clinical) is an approved pathway to registration as a general psychologist with PsyBA. If you wish to undertake this program you will need to attain a minimum result of Class 2 (Division 1) honours.
* In order to practise as a psychologist in Australia you must legally be registered with PsyBA.
Program structure
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
COR109 Measuring Sustainability
PSY100 Communicating Sustainability
PSY101 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
PSY102 Special Field Studies Topic
Developing and Graduate courses (14) 168 units
PSY200 Special Research Project
PSY201 Sustainability Project
PSY202 Workplace Learning I
PSY203 Communication and Thought
PSY204 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY205 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY300 Current Directions in Psychology
PSY301 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY302 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY303 Physiological Psychology
PSY304 Introduction to Human Development
PSY305 Social Psychology
PSY306 Motivation and Emotion
PSY307 Advanced Methods in Psychology
Elective courses (6) 72 units
Select 6 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Honours
Coursework (4) 48 units
PSY400 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY401 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY402 Personality and Assessment
PSY403 Human Associative Learning
Dissertation (2) (48 units)
PSY404 Abnormal Psychology
PSY405 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Entry to the fourth year of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) requires a grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 in the developing and graduate level (200/300 coded) PSY courses
Program notes
- A minimum GPA of 5.5 in the developing and graduate level (200/300 coded) PSY courses must be achieved at the end of third year for a student to be automatically allowed to continue to the fourth year honours component. Students who do not meet this requirement will be exited from the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) with full credit for all studies successfully completed
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- 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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.