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.
- In Pathway 1, students must complete 1 core course, 14 required PSY coded courses, 15 required Business courses, 1 elective from the School of Business and 1 elective from any faculty.
- In Pathway 2, students must complete 1 core course, 8 required PSY coded courses, a 4 course minor and 2 electives from the School of Communication or the School of Social Sciences, 15 required Business courses, 1 elective from the School of Business and 1 elective from any faculty.
- 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 the core course.
- 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 course
Core course (1):
COR109 Health and Mental Health in Australia
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
PSY101 Understanding Cultural Diversity
Advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Gender and Culture
PSY201 Strategy, Governance and Ethics
PSY202 Finance and Accounting for Managers
PSY203 Marketing in a Global Environment
PSY204 Evidenced Based Decision Making
PSY205 Marketing in a Global Environment
PSY300 Finance and Accounting for Managers
PSY301 Innovation Management and Professional Development
PSY302 Evidenced Based Decision Making
PSY303 Leading and Managing Organisations
PSY304 Strategy, Governance and Ethics
PSY305 Marketing in a Global Environment
School of Business courses
Introductory courses (6):
BUS101 Innovation Management and Professional Development
BUS102 Leading and Managing Organisations
BUS104 Evidenced Based Decision Making
BUS105 Finance and Accounting for Managers
BUS106 Strategy, Governance and Ethics
BUS108 Communication and Thought
Advanced courses (9):
BUS203 Think Health
BUS320 Introduction to Behavioural Health
COU276 Health Promotion Principles ^
HRM210 Health Promotion Assessment and Planning
HRM211 Communication and Thought
HRM220 Introductory Bioscience
HRM221 Concepts in Human Occupation
HRM312 Introduction to Psychology A
HRM321 Human Physiology
Elective course (1):
Select 1 elective course from the School of Business
Elective course (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
^ COU276 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) (Honours) 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
1 core course:
COR109 Human Anatomy
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2)
PSY100 Participation in Occupation
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
Advanced courses (2)
PSY200 Occupational Therapy Theory
PSY201 Introduction to Human Development
PLUS Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Science Research Methods
PSY203 Functional Anatomy
PSY204 Occupational Therapy Skills
PSY205 Evaluation of Occupational Performance
PSY300 Neurological Causes of Occupational Dysfunction
PSY301 Foundations of Practice: Identifying the Occupational Therapist Role in Practice
PSY302 Enabling Occupation: The Child and Adolescent
PSY303 Enabling Occupation: The Adult
PSY304 Psychosocial Aspects of Occupational Therapy
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 (6)
BUS101 Foundations of Practice: Identifying Occupational Therapist Skills in Practice
BUS102 Enabling Occupation: The Older Person
BUS104 Occupational Therapy Research & Evaluation
BUS105 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being, Becoming an OT I
BUS106 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II and III
BUS108 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
Advanced courses (9)
BUS203 Occupational Therapy Thesis
BUS320 Public Health Foundations
COU276 Planning and Environmental Law ^
HRM210 Environmental Health Risk Management
HRM211 Environmental and Resource Economics
HRM220 Biodiversity and Ecology
HRM221 Coastal and Marine Ecology
HRM312 Introduction to Climate Change Mitigation
HRM321 Communication and Thought
Elective course (1)
Select 1 elective course from the School of Business
Elective course
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
^ COU276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 384