Bachelor of Psychology

Course Description

Psychologists help us to understand who we are and how we think, feel and act. They aim to help people function better, to prevent ill-health and other problems developing. Their clients include children, adults, couples, families and organisations.

The Bachelor of Psychology provides comprehensive training in the scientific study of human behaviour and experience, the physiological, sensory and cognitive processes that underlie it, and how the profession applies this knowledge to practical problems.

The fourth year of the Bachelor of Psychology is an approved Honours year. The Honours program contains a significant research thesis along with coursework, and is a necessary first step towards registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.

This course is for the highly motivated. Continuation in the degree will be dependent upon achieving a cumulative average of at least 70% in the Psychology subjects approved for the degree.
 

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements, English requirements and credit transfer information are available from the Course Finder.
 

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Psychology requires the successful completion of 192 credit points of subjects in accordance with the table below.

For students entering at the Bachelor of Psychology at 100-level, continuation in the course requires an average result of at least 70% at the end of 100-level, a cumulative average of at least 70% for 100 and 200-level subjects at the end of 200-level, and a cumulative average of at least 70% for 200 and 300-level subjects at the end of 300-level in the psychology subjects approved for the degree.

100 level to 300 level Course Program

400-Level Course Program

Students eligible to progress into 4th year will study in the Honours program. Places within the Honours program are limited; therefore entry will be on a competitive basis. For the purposes of assessing eligibility for entry to the Honours program, we use the weighted average mark (WAM) of the best 11 subjects from successfully completed 200 and 300 level Psychology subjects, including PSYC354 Design and Analysis and PSYC348 History and Metatheory in Psychology (or their equivalent).The Honours grade will be calculated in accordance with Method 1. For further information refer to General Course Rules Section 8.

Bachelor of Psychology students must have completed all 144 credit points outlined in 100-level to 300-level Course Program above, including all required Psychology subjects, before proceeding to 400 level.
 

Minors

Students may complete one or more of the designated minors but the completion of a minor is not a degree requirement. A minor cannot be completed in the same discipline as a major, for example an Accountancy Major with an Accountancy Minor. A single subject may not count towards a major and minor towards two minors: double counting is not permitted when completing a minor. Thus completing each minor may require an additional 24 credit points if a single core subject is not included in the minor. Where one (or more) subjects(s) is common to a major and a minor or to different minors, the relevant Associate Head of School will designate a replacement subject(s).
To satisfy the requirements of a minor study a student shall complete the listed subjects for the minor. 
 

MINOR STUDY AREAS

• Psychology

Non-psychology students can complete a minor study in Psychology. A minor in Psychology will consist of at least 30 credit points in subjects with the prefix 'PSYC' from the course structure of the Bachelor of Psychology degree, and must include PSYC121, PSYC122, PSYC123 and any two of PSYC231 or PSYC234 or PSYC236 or PSYC241 or PSYC251. Subjects in the minor may not be cross counted towards any other minor or major study.

Minor studies are also offered in:

• Indigenous Health Studies (See Bachelor of Health Science in Indigenous Health Studies for further information)

• Introduction to Public Health (See Bachelor of Public Health for further information)
 

Electives

A number of English Language and Linguistic (ELL) subjects are offered in both Autumn and Spring sessions for both English-Speaking Background students and Non-English Speaking Background students.
 

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

Completion of four years in Psychology is an important first step for registration as a psychologist in Australia. The Bachelor of Psychology meets this academic qualification requirement and allows for conditional registration as a psychologist in NSW.

An additional two years of supervised practice is necessary to apply for registration as a professional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. Accreditation with the Australian Psychological Society, the national professional association, requires six years of approved academic study.

Honours

The Honours program is made up of 48 credit points as outlined below:

Candidates intending to complete Honours as part-time students will generally do PSYC407, PSYC408 and PSYC409 in the first year, and PSYC410 in the second year.
 

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder