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 2024 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 Introduction to Human Development
COR110 Social Psychology
COR111 Motivation and Emotion
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY101 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
Advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY201 Personality and Assessment
PSY202 Human Associative Learning
PSY203 Abnormal Psychology
PSY204 Communication and Thought
PSY205 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
PSY300 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY301 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY302 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY303 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY304 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY305 Physiological Psychology
School of Business courses
Introductory courses (9):
BUS101 Introduction to Human Development
BUS102 Social Psychology
BUS103 Motivation and Emotion
BUS104 Advanced Methods in Psychology
BUS105 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
BUS106 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
BUS108 Personality and Assessment
BUS211 Human Associative Learning
BUS320 Abnormal Psychology
Advanced courses (7):
HRM210 Applied Research Methods
HRM211 Introduction to Economics
HRM220 Business Law and Ethics
HRM221 Management and Organisational Behaviour
HRM312 Introduction to Marketing
HRM321 Accounting for Business
SCS276 Introduction to Informatics ^
^ 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 Strategic Management
COR110 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
COR111 Managing Human Resources
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2)
PSY100 Staffing and Remuneration
PSY101 Managing Workplace Relations
Advanced courses (2)
PSY200 Employment and Industrial Law
PSY201 Training and Development
PLUS Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Managing Organisational Change
PSY203 Group Work
PSY204 Communication and Thought
PSY205 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
PSY300 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY301 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY302 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY303 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY304 Research Methods in Psychology B
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 Physiological Psychology
BUS102 Introduction to Human Development
BUS103 Social Psychology
BUS104 Motivation and Emotion
BUS105 Advanced Methods in Psychology
BUS106 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
BUS108 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
BUS211 Personality and Assessment
BUS320 Human Associative Learning
Advanced courses (7)
HRM210 Applied Research Methods
HRM211 Introduction to Economics
HRM220 Business Law and Ethics
HRM221 Management and Organisational Behaviour
HRM312 Introduction to Marketing
HRM321 Accounting for Business
SCS276 Introduction to Informatics ^
^ SCS276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 384