Bachelor of Psychological Science

Course summary

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, and how they influence behaviour. Psychological research seeks to identify those mechanisms that explain behaviour in various contexts. Psychologists use research findings to help us understand who we are and how we think, feel, act and change. By understanding these aspects of human behaviour, psychologists are able to promote wellbeing and understand psychological problems affecting people. Psychologists' clients include children, adults, couples, families and organisations.

This degree

The Bachelor of Psychological Science is a three-year undergraduate degree. You can make a choice to deepen your studies in psychology with the objective of becoming a registered psychologist or you can take complementary studies from UOW's wide variety of disciplines to develop other career pathways where knowledge of psychology is advantageous.

Students with an excellent academic record and an extended major in psychology can apply for entry to the additional one-year Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) degree, a prerequisite to professional registration.

If you combine your studies with a second major, or minor options from Social Science, Arts, Commerce or Science, you can prepare for a wide variety of careers involving human resources, marketing, social research, work health and safety and many more.

What you will study

During this degree you will study the foundations of psychology and learn about research methods and statistics. You will also undertake a study in the following areas:

• personality
• biological psychology and learning
• cognitions and perception
• development and social psychology, and
• psychology of abnormality

Pathway to Teaching

You may also take a minor in Education Studies and complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (UAC: 753225).

This pathway degree offers priority entry to the Master of Teaching (Primary) and a reduced study load while undertaking your master’s degree. You’ll graduate with an undergraduate and postgraduate degree, as well as the qualification and skills to teach children aged 5-12 years.

If you want to be a School Counsellor you need to be a trained teacher as well as a registered psychologist. The pathway degree in Bachelor of Psychological Science will not qualify you for Psychology honours and professional registration but will enable you to reach that goal quickly in the future with some additional study.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of core topics in the discipline of psychology, their applications, and ethical behaviour in research and professional contexts.
2. Demonstrate basic knowledge of research methods, including an evaluation of the characteristics of the science of psychology/scientific method.
3. Demonstrate an ability to apply research methods to address psychological questions related to behaviour and mental processes.
4. Write standard research reports and orally present information in various formats.
5. Exhibit a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.
6. Apply critical thinking skills and knowledge of the scientific method to evaluate claims regarding psychological phenomena.
7. Use the information in an ethical manner and apply knowledge of ethical and legislative requirements to determine appropriate ethical conduct in a range of contexts.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Psychological Science requires the successful completion of 144 credit points as specified in the table below, comprising:

1. 78 credit points of core Psychology subjects;

2. At least one of either:

• an additional 24 credit points of Psychology subjects for honours eligibility; or
• major from the approved list; or
• minor from the recommended list; or
• students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education) are required to complete the Foundations in Teaching minor;

3. Remaining elective credit points from the General Schedule;

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

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education) are required to maintain a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65 in each year of enrolment to qualify for admission to the Master of Teaching (Primary).

Year 1

Plus 24 credit points of subjects that contribute to either a second major, a minor, and/or elective credit.

Year 2

Plus 18 credit points of subjects that contribute to either a second major, a minor, Honours eligibility, and/or elective credit.

Year 3

Select THREE from the following, including at least ONE of PSYC327, PSYC328 or PSYC329 :

Plus a further 24 credit points of subjects that contribute to either a second major, a minor, Honours eligibility, and/or elective credit.

Accreditation & professional recognition

Completion of four years in Psychology is an important step for registration as a psychologist in Australia. The Bachelor of Psychological Science is accredited as the first three years of study. To complete the four years, students must complete an Honours year to meet the academic requirements for eligibility for provisional registration as a psychologist. 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 of supervised practice in the community, or the fifth year at university plus one year of supervised practice in the community or through an accredited Masters or professional doctoral degree.

Why choose this course

The UOW School of Psychology offers excellent facilities and staff, which guarantee quality education and opportunities for first-rate research. The Northfields (Psychology) Clinic located on campus provides training and supervision of graduates in clinical psychology through a psychological service to the community. The Clinic offers a range of assessment, intervention and counselling services for children, adolescents and adults.

Career opportunities

• Personnel Services
• Human Resources
• Organisational Behaviour
• Government Agencies or Private Enterprise
• Industrial Relations
• Data Analyst
• Life Coach
• Brand Manager
• Marketing And Advertising
• Educational Officer
• Developmental Officer
• Community or Social Services

Admission

A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds. The procedures governing admission are defined in UOW's Admissions Procedures and the UOW College Admissions policy.

For any specific advice or questions regarding an application, please contact the Future Students Team.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the UOW degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.

English Requirements for international students

The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:

IELTS Academic

• Overall Score: 6.5
• Reading: 6.0
• Writing: 6.0
• Listening: 6.0
• Speaking: 6.0

TOEFL (Internet-based)

• Overall Score: 86
• Reading: 18
• Writing: 18
• Listening: 17
• Speaking: 17

UOW College: English for Tertiary Studies: Credit (weighted average mark of 65 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)

Other qualifications may also be considered. Full details can be found on our English Language Requirements website.