Bachelor of Psychological Sciences/ Bachelor of Applied Innovation
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
What goes on in the mind when we do the things we do? And how can you make a difference when things don’t go as they should? With the unique Bachelor of Psychological Sciences/Bachelor of Applied Innovation double degree, you’ll explore answers to these questions and learn how innovation can make a difference to psychology.
The Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is your first step toward becoming a registered psychologist. Providing specialised study in developmental psychology, cognition, social psychology, personality, psychological measurement and abnormal psychology, it’s accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
With the addition of Bachelor of Applied Innovation, your psychology studies take on a whole new perspective. You’ll learn how to combine analytical and strategic thinking, technology and design with your understanding of human needs and behaviour. Working with students from other schools across campus, you’ll be challenged and inspired to develop transformative solutions to the complex challenges of today and the emerging opportunities of the future.
Working on real-world problems through placements, internships or industry-based project work, you’ll benefit from interdisciplinary, experiential learning. You’ll tap into your true leadership potential as you gain the skills to build a better future through innovation.
As a future-ready graduate, you could work as a counsellor, medical researcher, child safety officer or psychologist in health, clinical, or sports environments. Your innovation degree multiplies your career prospects, opening up roles such as human-centred design researcher, innovation consultant, strategic designer or transformation lead.
This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 26 February 2024
- Semester 2 - 29 July 2024
Course details
- Course structure and career opportunities.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences/ Bachelor of Applied Innovation requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Exploring Creativity and Innovation | INV10001 | 12.5 |
| Fundamentals of Innovation Practice | INV10002 | 12.5 |
| Innovation Sandpit | INV10003 | 12.5 |
| Responsible Innovation Futures | INV10004 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Research Methods | PSY10005 | 12.5 |
| Brain and Behaviour | PSY10007 | 12.5 |
| Fundamentals of Psychology | PSY10008 | 12.5 |
| Foundations of Statistics | STA10003 | 12.5 |
+
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Cognition and Human Performance | PSY20006 | 12.5 |
| Developmental Psychology | PSY20007 | 12.5 |
| Social Psychology | PSY20016 | 12.5 |
| Analysis of Variance and Regression | STA20006 | 12.5 |
| Psychology Project | PSY30003 | 12.5 |
| Psychology of Personality | PSY30008 | 12.5 |
| History and Philosophy of Psychology | PSY30013 | 12.5 |
| Mental health diversity, diagnosis and treatment | PSY30016 | 12.5 |
+
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation for Challenges of Today | INV20001 | 12.5 |
| Innovation for the Future * | INV20002 | 12.5 |
| Applied Innovation Internship | INV20003 | 12.5 |
| Applied Innovation Studio A * | INV30001 | 25 |
| Applied Innovation Studio B * | INV30002 | 25 |
| Leadership and Facilitation of Innovation | INV30003 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
8 units (100 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Psychology
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Psychology | PSY20014 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Psychology | PSY20015 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Psychology
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Psychology | PSY20014 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the 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
- Apply a series of thinking systems, creativity toolkits and innovation frameworks to design contextually-relevant solutions addressing local and global challenges in and outside their discipline
- Identify and articulate opportunities to innovate and create impact informed by user-centred research and/or data
- Adapt their discipline skillsets in new situations in response to complex and changing contexts, including interdisciplinary environments
- Facilitate and contribute to innovation teams that seek solutions to complex challenges, using inclusive collaboration practices to leverage different skills and perspectives
- Navigate commercial, human and technical requirements aided by prototyping and testing to deliver solutions that create value
- Communicate the value of experimentation, ideas and innovation with confidence in developing solutions to investors, potential partners, employers or other stakeholders
- Develop futures-focused innovations that integrate responsible social, technological and environmental factors
Career opportunities
Career opportunities are extremely broad and range from business administration through to organisational management. With the development of skills and attributes through innovation capabilities, professional innovation roles may include; Innovation Consultant, Innovation Lead, Innovation Analyst, Strategic Designer, Creative Producer, Start-up Founder, Human-Centred Researcher, Self-employed Entrepreneur, Product Manager, Transformation Lead, Innovation Strategist and Innovation Manager.
Fees
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.