- Study behaviour, behavioural change and mental processes
- Elective courses allow you to link psychology studies with other disciplines
- Accredited with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
Award abbreviation: BSocSc(Psych)
QTAC code: 011261
OP / Rank for 2013 entry: OP-17 / Rank-64
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Fee type 2013: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
USC program code: AR374
CRICOS code: 063008D. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Combine psychology and social science to work in careers where an understanding of psychology and human behaviour is an advantage, or choose to complete further study to become a registered psychologist.
In this program you obtain a broad understanding of core topics in psychology. Courses introduce you to the professional practice of psychology, and include areas such as cognitive, social, perceptual, physiological, intercultural, Indigenous, and abnormal psychologies. Studies also cover human development, motivation and emotion, personality and assessment, and human associative learning. Electives enable you to link to other areas such as counselling, human services, health promotion, and sports psychology. A fourth year honours program is available (subject to GPA).
Career opportunities
Health and education services, community work, training and development, human resource management, exercise science, research.
Accreditation
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council has accredited the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) 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.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice
Program Leader
Professor Mary Katsikitis
Tel: +61 7 5456 5034
Email: mkatsiki@usc.edu.au
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses, 16 required courses and 6 electives.
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 Study Plan.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109
COR110
COR111
Introductory courses
2 required courses:
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
Advanced courses
14 required courses:
PSY200 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY202 Physiological Psychology
PSY203 Introduction to Human Development
PSY204 Social Psychology
PSY205 Motivation and Emotion
PSY300 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY301 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY302 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY303 Personality and Assessment
PSY304 Human Associative Learning
PSY305 Psychological Disorders
PSY306 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
PSY307 Adult Development and Ageing
Elective courses
Select 6 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288
Study Plan
The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Year 1
- Two (2) core courses:
One core course should be studied in your first semester and one in your second semester - Two (2) required introductory level courses
- Four (4) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 Marketing Management | |||
| COR110 Communication and Thought | |||
| COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship |
Required courses (2)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSY100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability | |||
| PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B |
| 12 | Pre: The online course offering is not available to students enrolled in an accredited Psychology program or dual degree program due to external accreditation. |
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 2
- Six (6) required advanced level courses
- Two (2) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Required courses (6)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSY200 Research Methods in Psychology A |
| 12 | Pre: PSY100 and PSY101 |
| PSY201 Research Methods in Psychology B |
| 12 | Pre: PSY100 and PSY101 |
| PSY202 Physiological Psychology |
| 12 | Pre: PSY100 and PSY101 |
| PSY203 Introduction to Human Development |
| 12 | Pre: (PSY100 and PSY101 and enrolled in AB314, AB315, AB302, AR364, AR374, AR375, AR405, SA306, SA307, SB304, SC308 or Psychology major) or (PSY100 and PSY101 and enrolled in SC440) or (PSY100 and OCC100 and enrolled in program SC440). |
| PSY204 Social Psychology |
| 12 | Pre: PSY100 and PSY101 |
| PSY205 Motivation and Emotion |
| 12 | Pre: PSY100 and PSY101 |
Elective courses (2)
Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 3
- Eight (8) required advanced level courses
Required courses (8)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSY300 Advanced Methods in Psychology |
| 12 | Pre: (PSY200 and PSY201) or PSY207 |
| PSY301 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology |
| 12 | Pre: (PSY200 and PSY201) or PSY207 |
| PSY302 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies |
| 12 | Pre: (PSY200 and PSY201) or PSY207 |
| PSY303 Personality and Assessment |
| 12 | Pre: (PSY200 and PSY201) or PSY207 |
| PSY304 Human Associative Learning |
| 12 | Pre: (PSY200 and PSY201) or PSY207 or (PSY200 and SCI110 and enrolled in AE304 or SE303) |
| PSY305 Psychological Disorders |
| 12 | Pre: (PSY200 and PSY201) or PSY207 |
| PSY306 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing |
| 12 | Pre: PSY207 or (PSY200 and PSY201) or (PSY200 and SCI110 and enrolled in Program AE304 or SE303) |
| PSY307 Adult Development and Ageing |
| 12 | Pre: (PSY200 and PSY201) or PSY207 |
TOTAL UNITS 288