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.
- 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 Criminal Law and Procedure B
COR110 Introductory Calculus
COR111 Biodiversity and Ecology
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Chemistry
PSY101 Science Research Methods
Advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Torts A
PSY201 Contracts A
PSY202 Contracts B
PSY203 Torts B
PSY204 Property A
PSY205 Constitutional Law
PSY300 Property B
PSY301 Corporations Law
PSY302 Civil Procedure
PSY303 Equity & Trusts
PSY304 Professional Conduct
PSY305 Regulation
School of Business courses
Introductory courses (9):
BUS101 Administrative Law
BUS102 Evidence
BUS103 Corporate Finance
BUS104 Innovation and Management Decision Making
BUS105 International Trade and Finance
BUS106 Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
BUS108 Research Project
BUS211 Marketing Management
BUS320 Project Integration
Advanced courses (7):
HRM210 Communication and Thought
HRM211 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
HRM220 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
HRM221 Introduction to Psychology A
HRM312 Introduction to Psychology B
HRM321 Research Methods in Psychology A
SCS276 Research Methods in Psychology B ^
^ 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 Physiological Psychology
COR110 Introduction to Human Development
COR111 Social Psychology
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2)
PSY100 Motivation and Emotion
PSY101 Advanced Methods in Psychology
Advanced courses (2)
PSY200 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY201 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PLUS Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Personality and Assessment
PSY203 Human Associative Learning
PSY204 Abnormal Psychology
PSY205 Applied Research Methods
PSY300 Introduction to Economics
PSY301 Business Law and Ethics
PSY302 Management and Organisational Behaviour
PSY303 Introduction to Marketing
PSY304 Accounting for Business
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 Introduction to Informatics
BUS102 Strategic Management
BUS103 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
BUS104 Managing Human Resources
BUS105 Staffing and Remuneration
BUS106 Managing Workplace Relations
BUS108 Employment and Industrial Law
BUS211 Training and Development
BUS320 Managing Organisational Change
Advanced courses (7)
HRM210 Group Work
HRM211 Communication and Thought
HRM220 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
HRM221 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
HRM312 Introduction to Psychology A
HRM321 Introduction to Psychology B
SCS276 Research Methods in Psychology A ^
^ SCS276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 384