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 The Psychology of Learning
COR110 Using Data for Learning
COR111 Secondary Professional Learning: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Communication and Thought
PSY101 Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession
Advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
PSY201 Heritage: Australian and Global Contexts
PSY202 Talking History: Memory and the Past
PSY203 Nationalism and Identity in the 20th Century: Themes and Tensions
PSY204 Teaching Senior Secondary Arts
PSY205 Teaching Senior Secondary History
PSY300 Individual Learner Needs
PSY301 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
PSY302 Teaching Junior Secondary Arts
PSY303 Teaching Junior Secondary History
PSY304 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
PSY305 Diversity and Inclusion
School of Business courses
Introductory courses (9):
BUS101 Professional Experience: Individual Learner Needs
BUS102 The Psychology of Learning
BUS103 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
BUS104 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
BUS105 Using Data for Learning
BUS106 Secondary Professional Learning: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
BUS108 Communication and Thought
BUS211 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
BUS320 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Advanced courses (7):
HRM210 Introduction to Psychology A
HRM211 Introduction to Psychology B
HRM220 Research Methods in Psychology A
HRM221 Research Methods in Psychology B
HRM312 Physiological Psychology
HRM321 Introduction to Human Development
SCS276 Social Psychology ^
^ 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 Motivation and Emotion
COR110 Advanced Methods in Psychology
COR111 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2)
PSY100 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY101 Personality and Assessment
Advanced courses (2)
PSY200 Human Associative Learning
PSY201 Abnormal Psychology
PLUS Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Applied Research Methods
PSY203 Introduction to Economics
PSY204 Business Law and Ethics
PSY205 Management and Organisational Behaviour
PSY300 Introduction to Marketing
PSY301 Accounting for Business
PSY302 Introduction to Informatics
PSY303 Strategic Management
PSY304 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
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 Managing Human Resources
BUS102 Staffing and Remuneration
BUS103 Managing Workplace Relations
BUS104 Employment and Industrial Law
BUS105 Training and Development
BUS106 Managing Organisational Change
BUS108 Group Work
BUS211 Communication and Thought
BUS320 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Advanced courses (7)
HRM210 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
HRM211 Introduction to Psychology A
HRM220 Introduction to Psychology B
HRM221 Research Methods in Psychology A
HRM312 Research Methods in Psychology B
HRM321 Physiological Psychology
SCS276 Introduction to Human Development ^
^ SCS276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 384