Help others with their mental wellbeing.
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.
- The 2 Day Guarantee was introduced in 2016 and will be progressively rolled out across year levels. First year is included in 2016 onwards; second year from 2017 onwards; and third year from 2018 onwards
- ** 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 2 Day Guarantee was introduced in 2016 and will be progressively rolled out across year levels. First year is included in 2016 onwards; second year from 2017 onwards; and third year from 2018 onwards
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. The 2 Day Guarantee was introduced in 2016 and will be progressively rolled out across year levels. First year is included in 2016 onwards; second year from 2017 onwards; and third year from 2018 onwards. 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
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY102 Current Directions in Psychology
Advanced courses (14)
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 (6)
Select 6 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Honours
Coursework (4)
PSY400 Research Methods and Analysis 4
PSY401 Advanced Theoretical Issues in Psychology
PSY402 Professional Practice of Psychology
PSY403 Ethical and Professional Issues In Psychology
Dissertation (2) (48 units)
PSY404
PSY405
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
- Apply for 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
- The 2 Day Guarantee was introduced in 2016 and will be progressively rolled out across year levels. First year is included in 2016 onwards; second year from 2017 onwards; and third year from 2018 onwards
- Students following the 2 Day Guarantee option should refer to the program Blackboard site for enrolment details