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Course Overview
The aim of this course is to give you a comprehensive overview of the discipline of psychology and its applications, including theoretical perspectives within the discipline. In addition, you will have demonstrable knowledge of the range of core research areas that make up the discipline and an understanding of the methodologies and statistical techniques commonly used by researchers for information gathering and analysis. You will be introduced to applied and professional uses of psychology, developing an appreciation of the social and cultural contexts of psychological research and professional practice.
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 4th year of study through our honours course (CC42). This fourth year of 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.
Note: This course is designed for students with an existing Bachelor Degree and wish to obtain an accredited three-year psychology sequence. If you do not have an existing degree, you will need to enrol in CC43 Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Career Information
Not everyone with a psychology degree goes on to work
as a registered psychologist. People with a psychology degree are
employed in a wide and diverse range of areas including (but not limited to)
youth work, disability, rehabilitation, mental health, career counselling,
social work, human resources, management, counselling, child development,
education, forensic, health and coaching.
Graduating with this degree will not allow you to call
yourself a 'psychologist'. This requires further study involving an honours
degree (such as our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)- CC42), and
then an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway (for more details see http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Registration.aspx).
Adding a fourth year of study will also prepare you
for research higher degree studies in psychology (either Masters by Research,
or a Doctor of Philosophy). These pathways involve undertaking a unique
supervised research project that provide you with the opportunity to develop
and consolidate your research skills, and apply them in practical, real-world
settings.
| Duration | 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
| Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
| Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
| Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
| Qualification (post nominal) | BSc(Psyc) |
| AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
| Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2026
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Admission Codes
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
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Domestic Availability
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Term 3 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 3 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 3 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 3 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 3 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 3 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 3 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 3 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 3 - 2015
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Term 2 - 2015
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Term 1 - 2015
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Term 3 - 2014
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Term 2 - 2014
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Term 1 - 2014
International Availability
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Term 3 - 2027
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Term 2 - 2027
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Term 1 - 2027
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Term 3 - 2026
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Term 2 - 2026
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Term 1 - 2026
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Term 3 - 2025
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Term 2 - 2025
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Term 1 - 2025
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Term 3 - 2024
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Term 2 - 2024
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Term 1 - 2024
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Term 3 - 2023
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Term 2 - 2023
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Term 1 - 2023
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Term 3 - 2022
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Term 2 - 2022
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Term 1 - 2022
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Term 3 - 2021
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Term 2 - 2021
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Term 1 - 2021
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Term 3 - 2020
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Term 2 - 2020
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Term 1 - 2020
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Term 3 - 2015
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Term 2 - 2015
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Term 1 - 2015
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Term 3 - 2014
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Term 2 - 2014
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Term 1 - 2014
A bachelor degree in any discipline from an Australian university or equivalent.
English 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
- tertiary 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 overall 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; or
- Cambridge Certificate in advanced English (CAE) - Score of 180 or above; or
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English - Score of 200 or above; or
- Combined Universities Language Test (CULT) - 70% with no individual component score of less than 15.
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.
None.
Awards and Accreditation
| Interim Awards | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Exit Awards | Not applicable |
| Accreditation |
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Residential School Requirements
| Optional Residential School | There is a compulsory residential school for the elective unit PSYC13024 Qualitative Research Methodology. |
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| Click here to view all Residential Schools | |
Practicum/Work Placement
| Not applicable |
Previous and Current Enrolments
| Year | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 86 |
| 2024 | 83 |
| 2023 | 97 |
| 2022 | 99 |
| 2021 | 113 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
Examples are:
- Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
- Treating personal information obtained as private and confidential.
- Treating all individuals including staff , students, and others with respect.
- Respecting the diversity of individuals and groups by demonstrating sensitivity to religious, cultural and individual differences.
- Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and use an ethical decision making model to take responsibility to ethically resolve dilemmas.
- If undertaking research, preparing an application for the university ethics committee to conduct a research study.
Examples are:
- Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate for professional performance and being positive and receptive to processing constructive feedback or criticism from lecturers or supervisors.
- Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner in all situations.
- Successfully processing your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with potentially emotional people in a wide range of professional environments.
- Maintaining behavioural stability through successfully distinguishing your own personal behaviours, experiences and emotions from those of others (e.g., colleagues, clients, research participants).
Examples are:
- Complying with relevant child protection and safety legislation, mandatory reporting requirements and any other notifiable concern to your field placement supervisor.
- Complying with the requirements for student registration with AHPRA or Australian Psychological Society (APS).
- Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
- Complying with health-related policies of of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment, which may include vaccination requirements.
- Complying with university and workplace policy around the use of social media, online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
- If undertaking research, complying with the legal stipulations contained within an approved ethics application when conducting research with humans or animals.
Examples are:
- Verbally communicating your professional psychology practice knowledge and skills with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness in a wide variety of contexts.
- Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group or workplace.
- Framing and leading discussion with clients and/or research participants to collect information and provide instruction.
- Appropriately discussing a client’s progress with other professionals.
- Using appropriate facial expressions and eye contact, being mindful of personal space boundaries, and a range of body movements and gestures.
- Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues that indicate a change in the emotional state of a client.
- Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar, punctuation and correct referencing to the required academic standards.
- Expressing complex and detailed information and knowledge into a logical and legible report, in a timely manner that meets professional standards and clearly communicates the intended message.
- Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form that meets legal and professional requirements.
- Where part of your course, preparing a document based on a body of research conducted under the supervision of an academic staff member.
Examples are:
- Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment tasks.
- Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and perform professional skills within reasonable set time frames.
- Where part of your course, successfully conducting an independent research project that incorporates the cognitive knowledge and skills gained from the course and is appropriate for a psychology graduate.
- Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions associated with the referencing format used by the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences (e.g., American Psychological Association [APA]).
- Producing contextually appropriate text which meets professional and legal requirements.
- Reading and accurately interpreting information related to clients and/or research participants, as well as convey a spoken message accurately and effectively in a professional setting.
- Demonstrating competency in applying accurate mathematical knowledge and skills to score and interpret psychological test data.
- Applying research methodologies in a variety of research contexts.
- Conducting and interpreting statistical analysis using software such as SPSS, NVivo, or R.
Examples are:
- Rapidly building rapport with people from diverse backgrounds, including colleagues, research participants and clients in the professional context.
- Maintaining positive working relationships when under stressful circumstances.
- Building and maintaining positive relationships with teaching staff, administrative staff and supervisors.
- Maintaining confidentiality in all contexts.
Examples are:
- Reflecting critically on topics taught during the course.
- Identifying when your practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions, or is outside one's scope or expertise, and be able to reflect and learn from this experience.
- Reflecting on situations that may be difficult and sensitive.
- Identifying, reflecting and learning from successful situations as well as opportunities for improvement.
Examples are:
- Maintaining the appropriate level of commitment to coursework tasks, and actively participate in activities related to the course, including group work.
- Undertaking tests and online quizzes with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
- Remain focused and perform consistently during tasks.
- Being aware of and managing your own workloads and personal commitments outside of university to ensure sustainable performance of course requirements.
- Being aware of and managing your own stress and/or anxieties so that sustainable performance can be ensured within course requirements.
- Competently using a desktop operating system (e.g., Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X).
- Accessing a computer and having sufficient computer skills to engage in online learning, reading and responding as required to emails, and completing relevant assessments for the course.
- Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and teaching staff .
- Using a variety of computer programs to analyse, manipulate and display scientific information applicable to your course of study including systems required by practicum placement sites.
- 1. Evaluate the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in the core topics of psychology
- 2. Apply knowledge psychological phenomena in a variety of contexts, including the levels of individuals, groups and organisations
- 3. Apply a methodical-rational/scientific approach to the solution of research problems through the use of appropriate research methods and statistical analyses in a variety of contexts
- 4. Communicate effectively through written reports, essays, group work and oral presentations, demonstrating the ability to construct coherent, persuasive and well supported arguments that draw together independent strands
- 5. Evaluate scientific evidence for psychological claims while showing an awareness of ethical, professional and social responsibility and an understanding of Indigenous, social and cultural diversity in the interpretation of findings
- 6. Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, evidenced by reflection on personal and professional development through self-assessment of abilities, achievements and motivation.
| Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||
| 2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||
| 3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||
| 4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||
| 5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||
| 6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||
| 7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||
| 8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||
| KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||
| APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner | ||||||
- Complete the core structure
| Number of units: 24 | Total credit points: 144 |
|---|
Graduating with this degree will not allow you to call yourself a 'psychologist'. This requires further study involving an honours degree (4th year of study), and then an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway.
To obtain a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) you must obtain credit for a total of 12 units/72 units of credit in accordance with the following:
- Psychology units undertaken shall include 12 units of credit (2 units) at Level 1, at least 24 units of credit (4 units) at Level 2 and at least 24 units of credit (4 units) at Level 3 - of which PSYC12047, PSYC12048, PSYC13015, PSYC13017 and PSYC13020 are compulsory.
- In years 2 and 3 combined, you must undertake at least 60 units of credit (10 units) in Psychology
- Failure to satisfy these requirements will result in non eligibility to graduate.
Credit for prior completed Bachelor level study of 72 units of credit (12 units) will be provided.
Level 1
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| PSYC11008 | Biological Foundations of Psychology | |
| PSYC11009 | Fundamentals of Psychology 2: Psychological Literacy | |
Level 2
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete 2 from the following units: | ||
| PSYC12010 | Psychology Across the Lifespan | |
| PSYC12013 | Personality | |
| PSYC12012 | Physiological Psychology | |
| PSYC12014 | Critical Social Psychology | |
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| PSYC12047 | Introduction to Data Analysis | |
| PSYC12048 | Research Methods 2 | |
Level 3
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
| PSYC13015 | Research Methods 3 | |
| PSYC13017 | Foundations of Psychopathology | |
| PSYC13020 | Individual Differences and Assessment | |
| Available units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Students must complete 1 from the following units: | ||
| PSYC13016 | Cognitive Psychology | |
| PSYC13021 | Forensic Psychology | |
| PSYC13022 | Learning & Behaviour Modification | |
| PSYC13023 | Educational Psychology | |
| PSYC13025 | Applied Sports Psychology | |
| PSYC13024 | Qualitative Research Methodology | |
NOTE: To meet the course’s psychology study requirements of a total of 60 units of credit (10 units) at Level two and three as detailed above, students must undertake 2 additional units from the Level 2 or Level 3 unit options as listed above.
Credit Applications
Credit applications for psychology units will only be granted where the units that form the basis of the credit application have been taken as part of a course of study in psychology offered by an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited academic organisational unit.
Refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit information on the CQUniversity website for further on the guidelines and application process.
Computing Requirements
Students will need to have access to a computer or equivalent device in order to complete their coursework. It is important that students have dependable access to the internet and a computer (or equivalent device) with hardware capable of video conferencing for online classes.
Students enrolled in this course will be engaged in many activities involving technology and the online environment, including video conferencing into online classes, completing assessments in word processing or presentation software, recording oral presentations, submitting written or video-recorded assessments online, completing online tests or quizzes, posting to online forums, and responding to emails.
Students should review their unit profiles to learn about any specific technology requirements for their coursework.
Group and Teamwork
One of the learning outcomes for this course is for students to be able to communicate effectively through a variety of approaches, individually and in collaboration with others. This learning outcome aligns with the foundational competencies we are required to develop in students as an APAC- accredited 3-year program in psychology. As such, students in this course will be required to demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork through assessment tasks that involve working in pairs or small groups with other students.
Students should review their unit profiles to learn about specific assessment requirements in each unit.