Bachelor of Psychological Science

2021 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2021 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2021 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Psychological Science
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2021. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2021. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	Burwood (Melbourne) Waurn Ponds (Geelong) Warrnambool Cloud (online)
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS course code	079316E Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Deakin course code	H344
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Course sub-headings

Course 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, and prepares you for a range of careers in the fast-growing health sector. The course also sets you up to pursue further study towards provisional registration as a psychologist. You will have the option of undertaking 140 hours of real-world experience with an industry placement that strengthens your employment prospects and helps you graduate work-ready.

This course is offered at every campus and online, so you can study where and when it suits you. Plus, our flexible trimester system means you can fast-track the course over two years of full-time study. Deakin is also the only university in Victoria where you can study specialist psychology majors during your undergraduate degree, so you can pursue your interests early on with a major in Child and Family, Organisational Studies or Forensic Studies.

Do you want to learn from psychology professionals and be exposed to real-world workplace experience?

Deakin’s School of Psychology is one of the largest in Victoria. It has strong partnerships with industry, including collaborative activities with government agencies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities.

These partnerships ensure your degree remains relevant to industry and workforce needs. You will be in high demand by employers who want graduates that are ready to face real-world problems with confidence.

This course recognises the importance of, and interrelationships between, a range of human factors you will encounter in your future career. You will explore diverse areas of psychology, including:

behavioural and clinical neuroscience
child and adolescent psychology
human social behaviour
cognitive psychology
forensic psychology

You will also have the opportunity to develop your counselling and coaching skills through a suite of specialised elective units, or further explore topics including addiction and cognitive neuroscience.

The Bachelor of Psychological Science is recognised for registration purposes by the Psychology Board of Australia and enables you to undertake additional study in pursuit of professional registration as a psychologist. The course is also accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

If you want to become a psychologist, this course is the pathway to a 4th year of study (honours or graduate diploma level). After completing a 4th year of study, you will be eligible to apply to register as a provisional psychologist. Students wishing to become fully registered psychologists can then apply to continue their studies by undertaking one of the following:

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time

Professional recognition

All of the psychology courses offered at Deakin meet the requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS), translating into excellent job and career opportunities for our graduates. Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

The Psychology Board of Australia is retiring the 4 plus 2 internship pathway. The last date to commence the internship part of this program is 30 June 2022. Any current students enrolled in a Deakin undergraduate psychology course who will graduate from their fourth (honours) year before this date, and meet the criteria set out by the board, may still be able to complete the 2 year internship. Any students that commenced their Deakin undergraduate psychology course from 2020 onwards, will be unable to complete this specific pathway to general registration. For the most up to date information on the internship pathway, and other pathways to general registration, visithttps://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/ .

Career opportunities

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). Once completed, you’ll be able to register as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

If your passion isn’t to complete further study to become a registered psychologist, there are still many diverse career options available, including:

child protection
counselling
family support
human services
marketing
not for profit aid
public health
social work.

If you choose to pursue full 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
social research organisations.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.

Registration as a Psychologist

The current requirements for registration as a provisional psychologist include the completion of four years of academic study of psychology that is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. The academic program usually consists of an approved undergraduate psychology sequence – such as Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science – followed by an approved fourth-year of study (such as Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology or honours in psychology).

Following successful completion of an approved fourth-year of psychology study, you may apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

In order to gain full registration, provisional psychologists must then complete either two years of supervised practice, or a minimum two years of further study, which may include: Master of Psychology, Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (with supervised practice completed outside the degree).

Note: This course is currently accredited as at the date of publishing.

Psychology major sequence in other degrees

In addition to the Bachelor of Psychological Science, psychology may be studied as a three-year major sequence in any of the following degrees: Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) or Bachelor of Management.

Students intending to become psychologists, however, must take four years of academic study (three years of undergraduate study, including ten units of psychology, plus either a level-4 Honours year or the level-4 Graduate Diploma of Psychology).

The 10-credit-point undergraduate Psychology sequence consists of two units at level 1, HPS111 and HPS121; four units at level 2, HPS201, HPS202, HPS203 and HPS204; plus four units at level 3, HPS301, HPS307, HPS308 and HPS310.

Students may also choose to take a limited sequence in psychology of 6 or 8 credit points (depending on the requirements of their course). These sequences are designed as terminal studies in psychology to complement other studies within an award. They do not meet the 10-credit-point requirement for entry into fourth-year studies in psychology; nor will they lead to professional qualifications in psychology. However, these requirements may be met by completing additional psychology units, either as single-unit enrolments or via the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies.

The 6 or 8-credit-point sequences consist of two units at level one, HPS111 and HPS121; two or three units at level 2, selected from HPS201, HPS202, HPS203, HPS204, HPS206, HPS207 and HPS226; and two or three units at level 3, selected from HPS301, HPS302, HPS304, HPS307, HPS308, HPS310, HPS325, HPS327, HPS328 and HPS395. Students wishing to take alternative psychology units must seek approval from the School of Psychology .

For details of the campus on which the unit is offered, please refer to the Unit Descriptions section of the Handbook. Cloud (online) students may apply to enrol in campus units. Students studying in both campus and cloud (online) modes may apply for entry to either the Honours or Graduate Diploma of Psychology programs.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities	Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality.
Communication	Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well-developed communication skills.
Digital Literacy	Utilise online technologies to interact with others, access research and evaluate empirical evidence; and create and disseminate psychology-relevant content.
Critical thinking	Identify and critique the factors that contribute to the development of unhealthy mental processes and behaviours, develop arguments, reports, or commentaries based on empirical research and apply the results to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself or others, and; apply the skills required to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself and in others in diverse contexts.
Problem Solving	Apply knowledge of the scientific method when addressing problems related to behaviour and mental processes; design, plan, and conduct research that addresses these problems; and apply analytic and statistical skills to interpret the results and validity of research.
Self-management	Engage in independent learning as a reflective practitioner to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology; and manage resources, timelines and other constraints to achieve quality and timely outcomes.
Teamwork	Collaborate and communicate psychological principles and practices effectively in interdisciplinary teams to work and learn in a range of environments including communities of practice, research and professional practice.
Global Citizenship	Embody the values and attitudes of the scientist-practitioner; applying ethical and professional responsibilities to local and global communities and future clients and employers; within diverse cultural, social, and regulatory frameworks.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. In order to gain 24 credit points you will need to study 24 units (AKA 'subjects'). Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 24 credit points which must include the following:

At least 14 must be Psychology units (i.e."HPS") units
At level 1, four Psychology units, HPS111, HPS121, HPS104 and HPS105, and one foundation health unit, HBS110, are compulsory.
At level 2, HPS201, HPS202, HPS203 and HPS204 are compulsory.
At level 3, HPS301, HPS307, HPS308 and HPS310 are compulsory
In addition the following three electives must be completed
- ONE HPS2XX or ONE HPS3XX elective
- ONE HPS3XX elective
- ONE HPS3XX or ONE (Health elective) H%3XX

No more than 10 credit points may be taken at level 1
Students must complete a minimum of 7 credit points at each level.
A maximum of 8 credit points (electives) may be taken outside the Faculty of Health

Students may choose to accelerate their progress through the course by selecting from the following units that are normally offered in Trimester 3: HBS110, HPS104, HPS105, HPS111, HPS121, HPS201, HPS202, HPS203, HPS204, HPS206 (psychology elective unit), HPS301, HPS307, HPS308 and HPS310.

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 HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.

Major sequences

The following majors are available within the Bachelor of Psychological Science

Warrnambool students wishing to undertake these majors must enrol in the Cloud (online) offerings of the units.

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

Course structure

Core units

Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2020 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2020 can follow this course structure from Level 2 onwards or refer to previous online Handbooks

Level 1 - Trimester 1

HAI010

Academic Integrity (0 credit points)

HPS111

Introduction to Psychology: Fundamentals of Human Behaviour

HPS104

Foundations of Psychological Science

HPS105

Foundations of Psychological Practice

plus one level 1 elective unit from any discipline

Level 1 - Trimester 2

HPS121

Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development

HBS110

Health Behaviour

plus two level 1 elective units from any discipline

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HPS203

The Human Mind

HPS204

Human Social Behaviour

plus two level 2 elective units from psychology or any discipline

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HPS201

Psychology Research Methods (Introductory)

HPS202

Child and Adolescent Development

plus one level 2 or level 3 HPS psychology elective unit AND one level 2 elective unit

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HPS301

Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)

HPS310

Brain, Biology and Behaviour

plus one level 3 HPS psychology elective unit and one level 3 elective unit

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HPS307

Personality

HPS308

Psychopathology

plus one level 3 HPS psychology elective unit OR one level 3 health elective unit

AND

one level 3 elective unit

Elective units

Three of the 11 elective units must be chosen from the psychology units listed below - one from level 2 or level 3 and two from level 3.

Trimester 1

HPS302

Pathways Through Adulthood

HPS325

Addiction

Trimester 2

HPS206

Introduction to Forensic Psychology

HPS207

Preparing for Employment

HPS209

Cross Cultural and Indigenous Psychology

HPS226

Applied Health Psychology

HPS304

The Social Psychology of Relationships

HPS327

Research Methods Capstone

HPS395

Cognitive Neuroscience

The remaining eight electives may include other psychology units such as:

HPY210

Coaching and Counselling for Behaviour Change

Start Anytime

HPS328

Psychology At Work (Internship)

students may choose to take complementary studies in other disciplines.

Work experience

As part of this course, you will also be given the opportunity to undertake preparation for work and work placement elective units as well as elective units designed to develop your counselling skills.

Details of major sequences

Child and Family

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Cloud (online)

Waurn Ponds (Geelong) students: some of the units are offered at Waurn Ponds and some at Waterfront. Travel between campuses may be required.

Unit set code

MJ-H000041

Overview

This major brings together complementary units from within Health and Social Development and Psychology with a particular focus on the health and development of the family system and its members. It will be of particular interest to those wanting to work supporting children and/or families in the community.

Units

HSH105

Understanding Families and Health

HSH206

Human Development and Healthy Families

HSH207

Socio-Economic Status and Health

HPS105

Foundations of Psychological Practice

HPS302

Pathways Through Adulthood

HPS304

The Social Psychology of Relationships

Details of major sequences

Organisational Studies

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Cloud (online)

Unit set code

MJ-H000042

Overview

This major major brings together fundamental units from the disciplines of Management and Human Resource Management, to give students a grounding in organisational behaviour, recruitment and training, and change management. Students will also gain skills in counselling, mediation and negotiation.

Units

MMM132

Management

MMH230

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management

MMH349

Employment Relations

MMH250

Workplace Counselling and Negotiation

MMM240

Organisational Behaviour

MMH356

Change Management

Details of major sequences

Forensic Studies

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Cloud (online)

Waurn Ponds (Geelong) students: some of the units are offered at Waurn Ponds and some at Waterfront. Travel between campuses may be required.

Unit set code

MJ-H000040

Overview

This major brings together complementary units from criminology and forensic psychology for students to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of crime and criminal justice issues, addiction, and how psychological knowledge is applied in legal and criminal matters.