OVERVIEW
Curious about what makes people think, feel and behave the way they do? Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science covers many aspects of human behaviour and personality. Fast-track your degree with our trimester system over two years of full-time study, all while learning from the best as Deakin is ranked #1 in Victoria for psychology course satisfaction, teaching, facilities and undergraduate employment^.
Specialise from year one with the only Victorian university to offer specialist psychology majors in an undergraduate psychology degree, so you can pursue your interests early on with a major in child and family, organisational studies or forensic studies. This course prepares you for a range of careers in the fast-growing health sector or sets you up to pursue further study towards provisional registration as a psychologist. You will also have the option of undertaking 140 hours of real-world experience with an industry placement strengthening your employment prospects.
COURSE STRUCTURE
To complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Psychological Science, students must attain 24 credit points including:
- 4 credit points of Foundations of Psychology
- 8 credit points of Psychology Essentials
- 4 credit points of Psychology in Practice
- 2 credit points of Psychology course electives
Plus, either:
- 6 credit points of electives (psychology course electives or University open electives) OR
- 6 credit point psychology major
Students must also ensure that they have met the following course rules to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Psychological Science:
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
- Academic Integrity Module DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit).
Following completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Science students intending to become psychologists must successfully apply for and complete a level-4 Honours year or the level-4 Graduate Diploma of Psychology.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete
CAREER OUTCOMES
Following the completion of your bachelor’s degree, taking the next step towards becoming a psychologist involves applying for an honours year, e.g. Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). Once completed, you will be able to register as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
You will then need to undertake further study to pursue general registration as a registered psychologist. If your passion isn’t to complete further study to become a registered psychologist, there are still many diverse career options available, including:
- careers counselling
- child protection
- counselling
- developmental psychology
- family support
- human resources management
- human services
- life counselling
- marketing and communications
- mental health rehabilitation
- not-for-profit aid
- public health
- social work.
Additional qualifications may be required for some of the careers listed here, you can find out more about roles and responsibilities, skills, qualifications and experience at deakin.edu.au/psychology/psychology-careers
If you choose to pursue general registration as a psychologist, you may find employment in a variety of roles, including:
- clinical psychologist
- cognitive neuroscientist
- counsellor
- criminal psychologist
- educational and developmental psychologist
- family therapist
- forensic psychologist
- health and community psychologist
- organisational psychologist
- rehabilitation counsellor
- sport and exercise psychologist
- youth psychologist.
These positions can be found in:
- private clinics and practices
- public and private hospitals
- corporate organisations
- schools and universities
- government departments and agencies
- sporting clubs and institutes.
