This is your very first step in making the dream come true of becoming a Registered Psychologist.
The program takes an in depth look at our mental processes and helps you understand why people think, feel and behave as they do. The training is scientifically and ethically based to teach you types of behaviour, examine personality and to do formal personality assessments.
- 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 successful full-time progression and electives chosen. Applies to the first three years full-time study in the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Programs only and presumes no break in study or credit transfer.
- ** Subject to successful full-time progression and electives chosen. Applies to the first three years full-time study in the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Programs only and presumes no break in study or credit transfer.
The program takes an in depth look at our mental processes and helps you understand why people think, feel and behave as they do. The training is scientifically and ethically based to teach you types of behaviour, examine personality and to do formal personality assessments.
You cover theoretical understanding and do practical training in the treatments for abnormal behaviours and psychological disorders. The program gives you high level statistical and research skills and there’s an opportunity to do an advanced research project in your Honours year.
Our psychology staff are national teaching and learning award winners and you'll also get the opportunity to participate in paid research assistant work in your second or third year of study.
And, the really great news is that when you finish this degree you are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Now, that’s a healthy thought…
Balancing university studies with the rest of your life can be a challenge. USC gives you the option to condense all classes for this program into two days a week, when studying at Sippy Downs. Some conditions apply.
Please visit Study in Psychology for more information.
Career opportunities
You can work in many private and government agencies that help people mentally function better, including organisations that work with children, teenagers and adults of all ages. Your skills are in demand in countless areas of life, from health and community care to sporting organisations.
Membership
Graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Graduates are also eligible to apply for entry to psychology postgraduate training programs.
Accredited pathway to becoming a psychologist
Our honours program is an APAC accredited fourth-year course in psychology, giving you a highly recognised qualification and eligibility for registration as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) *.
Our Master of Psychology (Clinical) is an approved pathway to registration as a general psychologist with PsyBA. If you wish to undertake this program you will need to attain a minimum result of Class 2 (Division 1) honours.
* In order to practise as a psychologist in Australia you must legally be registered with PsyBA.
Program structure
Introductory courses (4)
COR109 Cell Biology
PSY100 Chemistry
PSY101 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
PSY102 Physical Chemistry
Advanced courses (14)
PSY200 Biochemistry
PSY201 Organic Chemistry
PSY202 Inorganic Chemistry
PSY203 Environmental Chemistry
PSY204 Analytical Sciences
PSY205 Engaging Diverse Learners
PSY300 Secondary Professional Experience 2 : Managing the Diverse Learning Environment
PSY301 Teaching Science: Curriculum A
PSY302 The World of Geography Education: Curriculum A
PSY303 Teaching Senior Secondary Science 1
PSY304 Teaching Senior Secondary Geography
PSY305 Organic Chemistry
PSY306 Inorganic Chemistry
PSY307 Environmental Chemistry
Elective courses (6)
Select 6 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Honours
Coursework (4)
PSY400 Analytical Sciences
PSY401 Responding to Diversity and Inclusion
PSY402 Secondary Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
PSY403 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
Dissertation (2) (48 units)
PSY404 Secondary Professional Learning 3: Diversity and Inclusion
PSY405 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
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
Requirements for the first 3 Years of the Program:
- Complete 18 required courses
- Complete 6 electives
- Complete no more than 10 introductory (100 coded) courses
- Register your selected major and/or minor
Requirements for the 4th Year of the Program:
Entry to the fourth year of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is based on a student’s grade point average (GPA) in the advanced level (200/300 coded) PSY courses.
- Complete 4 required advanced level (400 coded) courses (48units)
- Complete the Thesis component (48 units)
Program notes
- A minimum GPA of 5.5 in the advanced level (200/300 coded) PSY courses must be achieved at the end of third year for a student to be automatically allowed to continue to the fourth year honours component. Students who do not meet this requirement will be exited from the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) with full credit for all studies successfully completed
- 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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa