Bachelor of Psychological Science - CC43

The aim of this course is to give you a comprehensive overview of the scientific discipline of psychology and its applications. The course is delivered in accordance with the foundational (level one) competencies for three-year undergraduate psychology programs as specified by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). You will acquire an understanding of the underlying principles, theories and concepts within the discipline. In addition, you will develop knowledge of the range of core research areas that make up the discipline, and an understanding of the methodologies and statistical techniques used by researchers for information gathering and analysis. There will be opportunities for you to explore applied and professional uses of psychology. In addition, you will be introduced to psychological theory, research, and applied and professional uses of psychology in an ethical and culturally responsive context.

Upon completion of this course, you will have a highly marketable qualification. This course is universally acknowledged as an indication of competence and achievement in understanding human thought and behaviour that can be applied in a variety of people-oriented vocations. Graduating with this qualification, however, will not allow you to call yourself a 'psychologist'. This requires further study involving an honours course (4th year of study) and then an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway.

Successful completion of an accredited three-year psychology sequence of study will mean you are eligible to apply for a competitive entry position in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (honours) (CC42) at CQUniversity. Honours level study will prepare you for either the coursework necessary for conditional registration as a psychologist in Australia and/or research higher degree studies in psychology.

If you have successfully completed the first year of the course, but do not wish to continue in the course you may request to exit the course with a Diploma in Behavioural Science.

Note: If you already have an existing Bachelor's degree and wish to obtain an accredited undergraduate psychology sequence, consider enrolling in CF59 Bachelor of Science (Psychology).

Course structure

Unit information

For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

Credit transfer information

ACCREDITED COURSE OPTIONS
Our range of psychology courses has been designed to prepare you for further study in psychology, and a diverse range of rewarding careers. Our psychology courses are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. Upon completion, should you wish to pursue a pathway towards a career as a psychologist, you will be able to apply for an accredited fourth-year psychology honours course.

• Bachelor of Psychological Science
  An ideal starting point, this course offers you a wealth of career opportunities in professions that require an understanding of human behaviour such as human resources, business management, counselling and more. It also provides an accredited pathway to further education and training in psychology.
  
• Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
  This course is designed for those with an existing bachelor's degree and allows for credit for some of your past studies. Like the Bachelor of Psychological Science, this course is an accredited three-year psychology course providing a pathway to further education and training.

CLINICAL PATHWAY
Interested in a career as a clinical psychologist? You will need to complete an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway.

• Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
  This is an accredited fourth-year psychology course where you will be introduced to applied and professional uses of psychology as well as professional ethics and gain an appreciation of the social and cultural contexts of psychological research and professional practice. Upon successful completion, you will be eligible for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.

PRACTICALLY ORIENTED COURSE DESIGN
Our psychology courses are taught by a teaching team with diverse and extensive psychological experience from practising clinical psychologists, to avid psychology researchers, all of whom are dedicated to sharing their knowledge and perspectives with you. Our undergraduate psychology courses have been designed to integrate professional development opportunities including project work, placement opportunities, and group tasks.

On-Campus Availability

Online Availability

This course features electives structured as elective major and elective minor options. Elective units may be chosen from eight-unit majors or two four-unit minors.

Elective Majors (8 units)

• Allied Health
  
• History and Politics
  
• Geography
  
• Human Resource Management
  
• Marketing
  
• Journalism
  
• Public Relations
  

Elective Minors (4 units)

• Education (Early Childhood)
• Education (Primary)
• Education (Secondary)
• Criminology Fundamentals
• Criminology Justice Innovation
• Marketing
• Crime and Society
• Strategic Communication
• Community and Public Health
• Writing Stories
• Visual Design
• Introduction to Health Care Studies
• Business Management
• Environmental Management
• Occupational Health and Safety Management
• Literary Studies
• World History
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

English Language Proficiency Requirements:

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

• A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
• An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
• Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

• An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
• An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

If you are an international student, visit our international student information for more details.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Security Requirements

Health Requirements

Assumed Knowledge

None

Not everyone with a psychology degree goes on to work as a psychologist and people with a psychology degree are employed in a wide band diverse range of areas including:

• management
• industry
• child safety officer
• clinical work
• counselling
• neuropsychology
• child development
• education
• forensic
• health
• coaching
• school guidance officer

In order to use the title Psychologist, you must first take a 4 year honours level course, such as our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and then either seek work based training or apply for admission onto a specialised higher degree.

Please note the following important information:

• Fees are in Australian dollars (A$).
• Fees are indicative only and do not cover additional costs such as textbooks, accommodation, visa applications, OSHC, general living etc.
• Fees are based on a full-time study load and the final fee payable will be determined by your selection of units and if any credit was awarded for recognition of prior learning.
• The University reserves the right to amend fees at any time during the course. Fees are reviewed yearly and may increase in the following year to enable CQUniversity to continue to provide quality services and facilities to students.
• Courses are subject to change at the discretion of the University.
• It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of the entry requirements and prerequisites of the courses you wish to undertake.
• The typical annual fee shown provides an estimate of the tuition fees for the first year of the course in the same academic year. This estimate assumes a full-time study load of 4 units per term (based on two terms).
• Students not on an Australian student visa can only undertake courses online from an overseas location.
• Courses undertaken online may be studied on a full-time or part-time mode.
• International students studying on-campus in Australia may take no more than 33 per cent of their entire course by online education, and this option cannot be taken in its entirety during a compulsory term (Term 1 and Term 2).

Please refer to our international course fees page.

We offer a range of scholarships to support international students and encourage you to apply for one that's right for you.

If you apply via a Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC) listed under 'How to Apply', please use the relevant TAC code listed above to complete your application.

Our easy to use online application system for international students will guide you through the process of applying for a course at CQUniversity Australia.