Help others with their mental wellbeing
This program helps you understand why people think, feel and behave certain ways. You’ll do practical training to treat abnormal behaviours and psychological disorders, while developing a theoretical understanding of the content.
- 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.
This program helps you understand why people think, feel and behave certain ways. You’ll do practical training to treat abnormal behaviours and psychological disorders, while developing a theoretical understanding of the content.
In the final year of study, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about a specific area of interest when you undertake an advanced research project.
The training is scientifically and ethically based to teach you types of behaviour, examine personality and to do formal personality assessments.
In this program you will:
- Learn from award-winning psychology staff who work in the field
- Undertake an advanced research project
- Participate in paid work as a research assistant
- Gain high-level statistical and research skills
Career opportunities
- Private and government agencies that help people function better mentally
- Organisations that work with people experiencing mental health problems
- Health, community care and sporting organisations
Graduates are eligible to become members of:
- The Psychology Board of Australia
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) 48 units
COR109 Restorative Justice and Mediation
PSY100 Professional Placement
PSY101 Crime Research Methods
PSY102 International Justice and Human Rights
Developing and Graduate courses (14) 168 units
PSY200 Communication and Thought
PSY201 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY202 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY203 Current Directions in Psychology
PSY204 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY205 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY300 Physiological Psychology
PSY301 Introduction to Human Development
PSY302 Social Psychology
PSY303 Motivation and Emotion
PSY304 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY305 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY306 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY307 Personality and Assessment
Elective courses (6) 72 units
Select 6 elective courses from the undergraduate elective course options.
Honours
Coursework (4) 48 units
PSY400 Human Associative Learning
PSY401 Abnormal Psychology
PSY402 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
PSY403 Adult Development and Ageing
Dissertation (2) (48 units)
PSY404 Advanced Statistics in Psychology
PSY405 Advanced Theoretical Issues in Psychology
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
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Entry to the fourth year of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) requires a grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 in the developing and graduate level (200/300 coded) PSY courses
Program notes
- A minimum GPA of 5.5 in the developing and graduate 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) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- 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
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.