Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

Overview 

Social Sciences helps transform the lives of individuals, families and communities by understanding, explaining, predicting and changing human behaviour and environments. To do this Social science students engage in interdisciplinary study about human behaviour, including foundations in psychology. 

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

A three-year degree in Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) provides comprehensive training in the processes basic to human psychological functioning required for qualification as a professional psychologist. These include biological and social bases of behaviour, cognition, learning, perception, social and organisational behaviour, personality, abnormality and research and assessment tools.

Students with an excellent academic record may apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree, which is a four year sequence of study accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). 

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) will be able to:

1. Integrate knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the social sciences and social science practice.
2. Consolidate and synthesise theoretical and practical knowledge of the dynamics of social systems and practices in different settings and apply this to your chosen speciality.
3. Inquire into the dynamics of particular social problems and practices using established social science protocols consistent with your speciality.
4. Inquire into and address your ongoing learning needs.
5. Analyse unpredictable, complex problems, issues and situations; apply creative, logical and critical thinking skills; and form evidence-based judgements regarding possible solutions.
6. Articulate ideas using a wide range of techniques effective with different audiences, including experts and non-experts.
7. Work collaboratively with a range of people in different cultural, cross-cultural and regional contexts to best effect desired and desirable social change.
8. Recognise the importance of ethical practice, social responsibility, social justice and civic awareness when acting to resolve conflicts, address problems and respond to social and environmental challenges.
9. Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of core topics in the discipline of psychology, their applications, and ethical behaviour in research and professional contexts.
10. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of research methods, including an evaluation of the characteristics of the science of psychology/scientific method.
11. Demonstrate an ability to apply research methods to address psychological questions related to behaviour and mental processes. 

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects in accordance with the table below.

*Students may substitute INDS150 with INDS130 or an elective subject selected from the General Schedule in 2015.

Honours

The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as the fourth year of study required for provisional registration as a psychologist.

If you wish to be eligible to apply for the honours year you must have completed:

• All degree requirements for the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology);
• PSYC251 Psychology of Abnormality, PSYC348 History and Metatheory of Psychology, and PSYC354 Design and Analysis; and
• At least 76 credit points of Psychology subjects at 200- and 300- levels. 

Further information on the entry requirements is available from the Psychology website.

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

Completion of four years in Psychology is an important first step for registration as a psychologist in Australia. The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) is accredited as the first three years of study. To complete the four years students must complete an add-on Honours year such as the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or a Graduate Diploma in Psychology to meet the academic requirements 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. This can be through two years supervised practice in the community or a fifth year at university plus one year of supervised practice in the community.

Accreditation with the Australian Psychological Society, the national professional association, requires six years of approved academic study.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au