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.
- Complete 32 required courses in Pathway 1, or
- Complete 26 required courses, 1 School of Communication or School of Social Sciences Minor and 2 School of Communication or School of Social Sciences electives in Pathway 2.
- 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 core courses.
- 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 courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Human Physiology
COR111 Biodiversity and Ecology
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Secondary Professional Learning 1: Transitioning into the Profession
PSY101 Plant Diversity and Ecology
Advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Cell Biology
PSY201 Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
PSY202 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
PSY203 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
PSY204 Molecular Ecology
PSY205 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
PSY300 Microbiology
PSY301 Teaching Science: Curriculum B
PSY302 The World of Geography Education: Curriculum B
PSY303 Plant Growth and Reproduction
PSY304 Advanced Genetics
PSY305 Genetics
School of Business courses
Introductory courses (9):
BUS101 Dimensions of Learner Engagement
BUS102 Secondary Professional Experience 2 : Managing the Diverse Learning Environment
BUS103 Teaching Science: Curriculum A
BUS104 The World of Geography Education: Curriculum A
BUS105 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
BUS106 Responding to Diversity and Inclusion
BUS108 Secondary Professional Learning 3: Diversity and Inclusion
BUS211 The Psychology of Learning
BUS320 Secondary Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
Advanced courses (7):
HRM210 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
HRM211 Using Data for Learning
HRM220 Secondary Professional Learning 4: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
HRM221 Communication and Thought
HRM312 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
HRM321 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SCS276 Introduction to Psychology A ^
^ SCS276 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) 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
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Introduction to Psychology B
COR110 Research Methods in Psychology A
COR111 Research Methods in Psychology B
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2)
PSY100 Physiological Psychology
PSY101 Introduction to Human Development
Advanced courses (2)
PSY200 Social Psychology
PSY201 Motivation and Emotion
PLUS Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY203 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY204 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY205 Personality and Assessment
PSY300 Human Associative Learning
PSY301 Abnormal Psychology
PSY302 Applied Research Methods
PSY303 Introduction to Economics
PSY304 Business Law and Ethics
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 (9)
BUS101 Management and Organisational Behaviour
BUS102 Introduction to Marketing
BUS103 Accounting for Business
BUS104 Introduction to Informatics
BUS105 Strategic Management
BUS106 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
BUS108 Managing Human Resources
BUS211 Staffing and Remuneration
BUS320 Managing Workplace Relations
Advanced courses (7)
HRM210 Employment and Industrial Law
HRM211 Training and Development
HRM220 Managing Organisational Change
HRM221 Group Work
HRM312 Communication and Thought
HRM321 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
SCS276 Environment, Technology and Sustainability ^
^ SCS276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 384