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 2023 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.
- Complete 32 required courses in Pathway 1, or
- Complete 26 required courses, 1 School of Communication or School of Social Sciences Minor and 2 School of Communication or School of Social Sciences electives in Pathway 2.
- 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 core courses.
- 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 courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction
COR110 Advanced Discipline Readings
COR111 Advanced Research Methods
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Communication and Thought
PSY101 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY201 Introductory Bioscience
PSY202 Human Physiology
PSY203 Human Anatomy
PSY204 Concepts in Human Occupation
PSY205 Participation in Occupation
PSY300 Public Health Foundations
PSY301 Science Research Methods
PSY302 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY303 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY304 Occupational Therapy Theory
PSY305 Occupational Therapy Skills
School of Business courses
Introductory courses (9):
BUS101 Evaluation of Occupational Performance
BUS102 Causes of Occupational Dysfunction
BUS103 Foundations of Practice: Identifying the Occupational Therapist Role in Practice
BUS104 Enabling Occupation: The Child and Adolescent
BUS105 Enabling Occupation: The Adult
BUS106 Enabling Occupation: The Older Person
BUS108 Psychosocial Aspects of Occupational Therapy
BUS211 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being, Becoming an OT I
BUS320 Foundations of Practice: Identifying Occupational Therapist Skills in Practice
Advanced courses (7):
HRM210 Introduction to Human Development
HRM211 Functional Anatomy
HRM220 Therapeutic Reasoning
HRM221 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II and III
HRM312 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
HRM321 OT (Occupational Therapy) as a Complex Process
SCS276 Public Health Foundations ^
^ SCS276 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) 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
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
COR110 Occupational Therapy Research & Evaluation
COR111 Consolidation of Occupational Therapy Practice Competencies 2
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2)
PSY100 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
PSY101 OT (Occupational Therapy) as a Complex Process
Advanced courses (2)
PSY200
PSY201 Communication and Thought
PLUS Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
PSY203 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
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 (9)
BUS101 Motivation and Emotion
BUS102 Advanced Methods in Psychology
BUS103 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
BUS104 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
BUS105 Marketing Essentials
BUS106
BUS108 Information Systems in Organisations
BUS211 Strategic Management
BUS320 Business, Governance and Society
Advanced courses (7)
HRM210 Managing Human Resources
HRM211 Leadership for Organisations
HRM220 Managing Workplace Relations
HRM221
HRM312 Learning and Development
HRM321 Organisational Change and Agility
SCS276 ^
^ SCS276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 384