Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Psychological Sciences

Overview

Discover what it takes to drive social change by being able to understand human relationships. A Bachelor of Psychological Science is the first step to becoming a psychologist and will develop your research, project management and report writing skills. Combine with a Bachelor of Arts to hone your critical thinking, problem solving and cultural competency skills to make a difference in society.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, graduates will be able to:

• systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in psychology
• formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in psychology
• critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of psychology
• define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
• apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
• interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
• coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international context
• systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the humanities and/or social sciences
• formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of expertise
• critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences, and understand the importance of inter-disciplinarity for generating solutions
• define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their areas of expertise
• apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
• interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
• coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts

Career opportunities

There are countless career opportunities with this double degree combination.

Arts career outcomes may involve activism, advocacy, advertising, administration, anti-corruption, climate action, consumer protection, community development, corrections, content creation, cultural services, diversity and inclusion, ethics, human rights, government and government relations, indigenous engagement, marketing, media and communication, national security and intelligence, international relations, large multinational organisations, NGO/aid work, policy development, politics, public affairs, research, unions, writing and youth services.

An Arts/Psychology double degree can also result in strengthening career directions in areas such as community work, community development, corrections, health communication, research ethics, health policy development, NGO/aid work, and youth services.

Graduates who intend to pursue psychology as a career must follow a sequence of education and training in psychology as required by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Following completion of an accredited bachelor degree, graduates should apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) (or an equivalent APAC-accredited fourth-year program) and, on completion, register as provisional psychologists. Those seeking general registration as practicing psychologists in Australia must subsequently successfully graduate from an accredited postgraduate program such as the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology), or undergo a two-year supervised internship program.

For more detailed information on Australian requirements for registration as a psychologist, visit the Australian Psychological Society website.

Professional recognition

The Psychology sequence within the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, students must complete 400 credit points comprising:

• sixteen [16] core units of study (200 credit points)
• one [1] Arts major (100 credit points)
• eight [8] units of study (100cp), comprising co-major, minor and/or electives
   

* Only for students completing this course online through OUA.

Students may not complete more than 150 cps (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate. Students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement.

Professional placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process.

Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 475 credit points comprising:

• sixteen [16] core units of study (200 credit points);
• one [1] Arts major (100 credit points);
• four [4] units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points);
• six [6] units of study (75 credit points), comprising a minor and/or electives
   

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 437.5 credit points comprising:

• sixteen [16] core units of study (200 credit points);
• one [1] Arts major (100 credit points);
• two [2] units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points);
• seven [7] units of study (87.5 credit points), comprising a minor and/or elective

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is 200 credit points (normally 16 units).

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites 

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

Work experience

Applicants who have not met the entry criteria through their academic studies can have their work experience considered. Applicants need to have completed secondary school and have four years relevant post-secondary work experience with at least two of these years being full-time work. Evidence must be in the form of a resume, a letter from an employer (on letterhead) outlining the duration of employment, roles and responsibilities and a position description (optional). If an employer letter cannot be provided a referee check may be conducted.