Bachelor of Psychological Science
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Psychological Science |
| Deakin course code | H344 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 2014 to 2022 |
| Campus | Campus of offer for students who commenced prior to 2023. |
| Duration | 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| CRICOS code | 079316E Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Course offered to continuing students only. The final intake to this course was in teaching period Trimester 3 2022. Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course, course map and enrolment information. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Majors
- Course structure
- Details of major sequences
- Third party arrangements
- Fees and charges
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 relationships 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 a pathway to a fourth year of study (honours or graduate diploma level). After completing a fourth 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:
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Master of Psychology (Organisational)
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical).
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) 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, visit https://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 Record Check, Working With Children Check or other check. Refer to the relevant unit guide.
Pathways
The Bachelor of Psychological Science can be used as a pathway to general registration as a psychologist by undertaking a fourth year of study in psychology (an honours year or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) followed by a masters degree such as Deakin's Master of Psychology (Clinical), Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Organisational) (the only course of its kind in Victoria), or Master of Professional Psychology.
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.
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.
Course learning outcomes
| Deakin 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 pass 24 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- HAI010 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- At least 14 must be Psychology units (i.e. "HPS") units
- At level 1, four core Psychology units, and one foundation health unit,
- 4 credit points of core level 2 Psychology units
- 4 credit points of core level 3 Psychology units
- 1 credit points of the following psychology course electives
- ONE HPS2XX or ONE HPS3XX elective
- ONE HPS3XX elective
- ONE HPS3XX or ONE (Health elective) H%3XX
- a maximum of 10 credit points 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 are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Note:
- 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
Majors
The following majors are available within the Bachelor of Psychological Science
Warrnambool students wishing to undertake these majors must enrol in the online offerings of the units.
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Course structure
Core units
Course Structure
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin '(0 credit points)' replaces HAI010* |
| HPS104 | Foundations of Psychological Science |
| HPS105 | Foundations of Psychological Practice |
| HPS111 | Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour |
plus one level 1 elective unit from any discipline
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| HPS121 | Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development |
| HBS110 | Health Psychology (Behaviour Change) |
plus two level 1 elective units from any discipline
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| HPS203 | Cognitive Psychology |
| HPS204 | Social Psychology |
plus two level 2 elective units from psychology or any discipline
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| HPS201 | Psychology Research Methods (Introductory) |
| HPS202 | Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent) |
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 | Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour) |
plus one level 3 HPS psychology elective unit and one level 3 elective unit
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| HPS307 | Personality Psychology |
| HPS308 | Psychopathology |
plus one level 3 HPS psychology elective unit OR one level 3 health elective unit
AND
one level 3 elective unit
Note: for Psychology 4th year admission (Honours or equivalent), students are assessed on the WAM of Psychology Essentials
*HAI010 Academic Integrity (no longer available for enrolment, replacement unit DAI001)
Course electives
Psychology Course Electives
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
| HPS209 | Cross Cultural and Indigenous Psychology |
| HPS226 | Health Psychology (Chronic Illness) |
| HPS302 | Developmental Psychology (Adult) |
| HPS325 | Health Psychology (Addiction) |
Trimester 2
| HPS206 | Forensic Psychology |
| HPS304 | Social Psychology (Advanced) |
| HPS395 | Biological Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) |
The remaining eight electives may include other psychology units such as:
| HPY210 | Applied Counselling Skills (Introductory) |
Start anytime
| HPS328 | Psychology At Work (Internship) |
or
students may choose to take complementary studies in other disciplines.
Details of major sequences
Forensic Studies
Campus
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online.
Warrnambool students must enrol in the Online offerings of these units
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.
Units
| ACR101 | Introducing Crime and Criminology |
| ACR102 | Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice |
| ACR201 | Issues in Criminal Justice |
| ACR302 | Criminology Research |
| HPS206 | Forensic Psychology |
| HPS325 | Health Psychology (Addiction) |
Child and Family
Campus
Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Warrnambool students must enrol in the Online offerings of these units
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 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
| HSH105 | Understanding Families and Health |
| HSH206 | Human Development and Healthy Families |
| HSH207 | Socio-Economic Status and Health |
| HPS202 | Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent) |
| HPS302 | Developmental Psychology (Adult) |
| HPS304 | Social Psychology (Advanced) |
Organisational Studies
Campus
Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Warrnambool students must enrol in the Online offerings of these units
Unit set code
MJ-H000042
Overview
This 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 |
| MMH250 | Workplace Conflict Resolution |
| MMM240 | Organisational Behaviour |
| MMH349 | Employment Relations |
| MMH356 | Change Management |
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Third party arrangements
Nature of third party arrangements
Deakin College offers a subset of first year subjects of the degree as part of the Diploma of Health Sciences. Students who complete the Diploma with a WAM of at least 50, can gain entry into H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science with credit for core and other units already completed, enabling them to enter at second year level of the degree.
Quality assurance arrangements
The units offered by Deakin College are those offered as part of H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science. Quality assurance is as for the rest of H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.