Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only. 

Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.

Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.

Overview 

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 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.

 Social Science helps transform the lives of individuals, families and communities by understanding, explaining, predicting and changing human behaviour. The core skills and knowledge of the discipline of Social Science are taught alongside Psychology in this degree to provide the broadest understanding of individuals in their social and environmental context.

Students with an excellent academic record may apply to transfer to the four-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree, or apply for entry to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) at the end of Year 3. 

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 as specified in the table below, comprising:

1.  36 credit points of core Social Science subjects; and

2.  78 credit points of core Psychology subjects; and

3.  At least one of either:

a.  an additional 22 credit points of Psychology subjects for honours eligibility; or

b.  a minor from the recommended list; and

 4.  Remaining elective credit points from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts or the General Schedule.

No more than 60 credit points will be at 100-level.

Psychology Extension for Honours eligibility

If you intend to apply for the honours year (a requirement for registration as a professional psychologist) you must complete the 100 level core, the 200 level core and the following 200 level subject, and take 300 level subjects as specified below.

Students who complete the extended requirements in psychology are eligible to apply for the one year honours program to confer the Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours. 

Minors

The following minors are recommended for inclusion in this course. 

• Criminology
• Indigenous Studies
• Introduction to Public Health
• Social Marketing
• Social Policy
• Sociology

Other minors from the General Schedule of Minors are also available.

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

The three year Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and the additional honours year are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council as a four year sequence for the purposes of provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. An additional two years of supervised practice is necessary to apply for general registration. 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 or an approved Masters degree.  

Other Information

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