Bachelor of Psychological Science

2027 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2027 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Psychological Science
Deakin course code	H344
Course credit points	24
Course version	3
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Course information	For students who commenced from 2023 onwards
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool, Online
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
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 sub-headings

Course overview

Curious about what makes people think, feel and behave the way they do? Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science explores human behaviour and personality, giving you a strong foundation in psychology. Accelerate your degree with our trimester system while studying at the #1 university in Victoria for psychology facilities and resources, and undergraduate employment.

Specialise from your first year with the only Victorian university undergraduate psychology degree offering specialist majors in child and family studies, organisational studies and forensic studies. Build practical skills in communication, counselling and professional practice alongside core areas of psychology.

You can also choose to complete 140 hours of industry placement, with support from Deakin's Faculty of Health work-integrated learning team. This course prepares you for diverse careers in health and a pathway to honours and further study towards registration as a psychologist.

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 lectures, 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

The Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Psychological Science (Child and Family), Bachelor of Psychological Science (Forensic Studies) and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Organisational Studies) are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

If you are seeking to become a registered psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a graduate from these courses you must next apply for a fourth year of study in psychology, such as Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).

Career opportunities

Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science is the first step to pursuing a career as a psychologist. Following the completion of your bachelor’s degree, you will need to apply 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 here.

If you choose to pursue general registration as a psychologist, after the required further study, 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.

Participation requirements

At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.

If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.

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

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 (PsyBA). 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 (Advanced) 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 further study, which may include Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Organisational), Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)

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 the following degrees: Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Bachelor of Marketing (Psychology) or Bachelor of Human Resource Management (Psychology). These sequences are designed as terminal studies in psychology to complement other studies within an award.

The 10 credit point undergraduate psychology sequence prepares students for postgraduate training towards becoming a practicing registered psychologist. To practice as a psychologist students must complete an undergraduate degree with a major sequence in psychology followed by a fourth year of study in psychology (an Honours in Psychology or a Graduate Diploma of Psychology) that are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Course learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes
Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality. Demonstrate appropriate communication, counselling, and research methods skills.
Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well-developed communication skills. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding.
Utilise online technologies to interact with others, access research and evaluate empirical evidence; and create and disseminate psychology-relevant content.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Embody the values and attitudes of the scientist-practitioner; apply ethical and professional responsibilities to local and global communities, apply knowledge and skills in culturally appropriate and inclusive ways.

Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science you must pass 24 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
16 credit points of core units including:
- 4 credit points of Foundations of Psychology units
- 8 credit points of Psychology Essentials units
- 4 credit points of Psychology in Practice units
2 credit points of psychology course electives
6 credit points which may comprise of:
- 6 credit points of course elective units
- 6 credit points of open elective units
- 1 psychology major (6 credit points)
a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

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 applies for students who commenced in 2023 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2023 can refer to previous online Handbooks.

Course Structure

^ Foundations of Psychology unit

* Psychology in Practice unit

# Psychology Essentials unit

Level 1 - Trimester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HPS104

Foundations of Psychological Science ^

HPS105

Foundations of Psychological Practice ^

HPS117

Introduction to Psychology: Biopsychosocial Perspectives ^

plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit

Level 1 - Trimester 2

HPS118

Introduction to Psychology: Cross-Cultural and Indigenous Perspectives ^

HBS110

Health Psychology (Behaviour Change) *

HPY107

Psychology At Work (Preparation) *

plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HPS203

Cognitive Psychology #

HPS204

Social Psychology #

HPY210

Applied Counselling Skills (Introductory) *

plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HPS201

Psychology Research Methods (Introductory) #

HPS202

Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent) #

plus two psychology course electives, electives or psychology major units

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HPS301

Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate) #

HPS310

Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour) #

plus two psychology course electives, electives or psychology major units

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HPY306

Applied Counselling Skills (Intermediate) *

HPS307

Personality Psychology #

HPS308

Psychopathology #

plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit

Note: for Psychology 4^th year admission (Honours or equivalent), students are assessed on the WAM of Psychology Essentials

Course electives

Psychology Course Electives

Two credit points from:

Trimester 1

HPS302

Developmental Psychology (Adult)

HPS325

Health Psychology (Addiction)

HPS328

Psychology At Work (Internship)

Trimester 2

HPS206

Forensic Psychology

HPS226

Health Psychology (Chronic Illness)

HPS304

Social Psychology (Advanced)

HPS395

Biological Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience)

Work experience

As part of this course you will have the option of undertaking 140 hours of industry placement through elective units, and our core employability-orientated units ensure you graduate work-ready. Applied Counselling Skills core units also allow you to develop your counselling and coaching skills.

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 psychology for students to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of crime and criminal justice issues, structures and procedures of the criminal justice system, designing criminological research, and how psychological knowledge is applied in legal and criminal matters, including understanding comorbidities such as addiction.

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 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

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

Managing People and Organisations

MMH230

Fundamentals of Human Resource Management

MMM240

Organisational Behaviour

MMH349

Employment Relations

MMH350

Workplace Conflict Resolution

MMH356

Leading Change

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.

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

Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.

Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Estimate your fees

Further information

Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page .

Contact Student Central