Understand people and help improve their wellbeing
Explore the human mind and learn the skills to promote mental and emotional wellbeing with a dual degree in psychology and counselling. This program gives you in-depth knowledge on the science and applications of psychology, along with a strong foundation in counselling theory and skills.
- 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.
- Subject to final PACFA accreditation approval
- Subject to final PACFA accreditation approval
Explore the human mind and learn the skills to promote mental and emotional wellbeing with a dual degree in psychology and counselling. This program gives you in-depth knowledge on the science and applications of psychology, along with a strong foundation in counselling theory and skills.
- Study the core areas of psychological science, including human development, cognitive perception, personality, learning, and abnormal psychology
- Learn about the range of scientific methods, analyses and ethical standards used in psychological research
- Gain a thorough understanding of counselling theories and skills, and how to use them in diverse and multicultural workplaces and communities
- Develop skills in cognitive behaviour therapy, personal and relational empathy, positive psychology, family counselling and responding to crisis, trauma and loss
- Work in the community through two counselling placements, working with multidisciplinary teams across a range of human services agencies
Career opportunities
Disability support, community health, research, telephone counselling, working with individuals, families and groups, non-government organisations, government departments, in youth work, welfare work, child protection, corrections, aged services, community development, education, mental health, and administration of counselling services.
Graduates can also complete further study to become a registered psychologist, a registered counsellor, a clinical psychologist or pursue an academic career.
Accreditation
This program is designed to meet the national accreditation requirements for The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), The Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
Program structure
Psychology courses
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
COR109 Introduction to Engineering Design
PSY100 Thermodynamics
PSY101 Communication and Thought
PSY102 Introduction to Psychology A
Developing and Graduate courses (14) 168 units
PSY200 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY201 Current Directions in Psychology
PSY202 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY203 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY204 Physiological Psychology
PSY205 Introduction to Human Development
PSY300 Social Psychology
PSY301 Motivation and Emotion
PSY302 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY303 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY304 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY305 Personality and Assessment
PSY306 Human Associative Learning
PSY307 Abnormal Psychology
Counselling courses
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
COU101 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
COU176 Adult Development and Ageing
COU180 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice
SCS130 Group Processes and Practice
Developing and Graduate courses (10) 120 units
COU200 Introductory Counselling Skills
COU265 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
COU300 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications
COU301 Strengths Based Counselling: Collaborative Approaches
COU361 Counselling for Crisis, Trauma and Loss
COU362 Positive Psychology for Counselling
COU363 Counselling Development and Supervision 1
COU364 Counselling Development and Supervision 2
COU381 Counselling Placement 1
SWK278 Counselling Placement 2
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
Program notes
- 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.
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.