- 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 2012 entry: OP-15 / Rank-69
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 2012: 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 Talking History: Memory and the Past
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Introductory courses
2 required courses:
PSY100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology A
Advanced courses
14 required courses:
PSY200 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY201 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
PSY202 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
PSY203 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
PSY204 Counselling Theory and Practice
PSY205 Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Counselling
PSY300 Group Work
PSY301 Ethics and Professional Practice
PSY302 Developmental and Family Counselling
PSY303 Indigenous Australia and the State
PSY304 Understanding Cultural Diversity
PSY305 Counselling Placement 1
PSY306 Counselling Placement 2
PSY307 Health, Society and Culture
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 Secondary Assessment and Reporting | |||
| COR110 Secondary Professional Learning 3: Diversity and Inclusion | |||
| COR111 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching |
Required courses (2)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSY100 The Psychology of Learning | |||
| PSY101 Using Data for Learning |
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 Secondary Professional Learning 4: The Professional Empowered and Engaged | |||
| PSY201 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| PSY202 Creative Writing D: Paperback Hero | |||
| PSY203 Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults | |||
| PSY204 Creative Writing B: Novel Ideas | |||
| PSY205 Editing for the Communications Professional |
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 The Writer and the Law | |||
| PSY301 News Writing: Print and Broadcast | |||
| PSY302 Creative Writing for the Illustrated Book | |||
| PSY303 Creativity and Literature: Chaucer to Romantics | |||
| PSY304 Creativity and Literature: Victorians to Moderns | |||
| PSY305 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review | |||
| PSY306 Reality Bites: An Exploration of Non-Fiction | |||
| PSY307 Wonderworlds: An Exploration of English Literature |
TOTAL UNITS 288