Bachelor of Psychological Science

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Study load

Approx. 12-15 hours per week* (see course structure)

Duration

3 years (360 credit points)

Intakes

Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct

The study of psychological science will extend your understanding of the human mind with cognitive, behavioural and psychodynamic perspectives, providing you with insights and practical skills to help individual people and communities.

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Explore the fascinating world of the human mind and behaviour and open doors to broad career paths.

The APAC accredited Bachelor of Psychological Science covers a range of units on human thought and behaviour, including developmental, cognitive, social, abnormal, and personality psychology.

Throughout your studies, you will develop a solid foundation to equip you with the communication, research, critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to meet the high demand for graduates in psychology. The Bachelor of Psychological Science with Federation University Online is a unique offering that expands your career outcomes by covering practical sought-after skills that can be applied in the growing community and human services sector.

If you wish to become a qualified psychologist, the Bachelor of Psychological Science is a pathway to fourth year courses.

5 Reasons Why You Should Study Psychology

Studying psychology can provide profound insights into yourself and others, while enhancing your communication skills and research abilities. It can also lead to exciting job opportunities.

Course structure

Please note that study load will vary depending on the amount of units you choose to study and the credit point cost of that unit.

12-15 contact hours are estimated for one 15 credit point unit, while 24-30 are expected for those studying two 15 credit point units or one 30 credit point unit.

Year 1

Introductory Psychology A: Biological and Cognitive Psychology

Code: PSYCB1101

Credit Points: 15

This unit will give you an understanding of the key psychological principles and theoretical underpinnings in contemporary psychology. You'll gain a foundational understanding of human behaviour and the application of psychology studies in a modern world. You'll also learn critical thinking, research and writing skills to prepare you for assessment work.

Introduction To Research Methods In Psychology

Code: PSYCB1003

Credit Points: 15

You will study research methods and statistical techniques used in psychology. Topics will include measurement, experimental designs, quasi-experimental designs, survey designs, sampling theory, observational research, applied research, report writing and research ethics. Applications of various statistical tests including tests, correlation, and some non-parametric t-tests will be explored.

Introductory Psychology B: Personality and Individual Differences

Code: PSYCB1102

Credit Points: 15

This unit will enable you to gain a basic understanding of the terms, concepts, theories, methods and research findings in a broad range of areas of psychology, and will provide a foundation for more advanced studies in psychology. Topics include: intelligence; motivation & emotion; developmental psychology; health, stress, and coping; personality; social psychology; and abnormal psychology.

Statistical Methods

Code: STATS1000

Credit Points: 15

In this unit, you'll be introduced to a range of descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. You'll use data from various contexts, learn interpretation of computer output as well as communication of statistical results and conclusions.

Introduction to Social Work, Community and Human Services

Code: BSWUG1001

Credit Points: 15

This unit introduces you to community and human services through examining its purpose and role in society. You will explore the historical and political context of community services and how this impacts upon contemporary human service practice. You will consider key principles of human service practice, including ethical and professional responsibilities.

Theories and Models For Practice

Code: CHSUG1003

Credit Points: 15

This unit provides an overview of the role theory plays in community and human services practice frameworks. It will explain what theories are and why they are used in practice. You will be introduced to several key theoretical frameworks and models of practice including: systems theory, problem solving approaches, task-centred approaches such as, strengths based approaches and postmodern approaches. You will consider and examine how community and human services workers apply these theories and models to their practice, helping you to connect theory to real world applications.

Behaviour In The Workplace

Code: BEHAV2003

Credit Points: 15

In this unit, you'll gain an understanding of organisational behaviour - what people think, feel and do in organisational settings. You'll explore individuals and teams, unpacking factors that influence their ability to collaborate with each other. You will then explore the impact that these factors have on job satisfaction, motivation, stress and work-life balance.

Forensic Behavioural Science

Code: BEHAV2004

Credit Points: 15

This unit provides you with an introduction to the fascinating field of forensic behavioural science and explores the intersection between psychology and the law. In this unit, we apply psychological theories and research to problems of law and the legal system and examine how psychology can provide insight into topics such as criminal profiling, psychological disorders and criminal offending, the accuracy of eyewitness testimonies, and screening and training of police.

Year 2

Lifespan Developmental Psychology

Code: PSYCB2102

Credit Points: 15

This unit will help you to develop a critical understanding of terms, concepts, theories, research and practical applications in developmental psychology across the lifespan. You will study developmental research methodology and theoretical issues, physical growth, social, emotional, personality and cognitive development in childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

Counselling Theory and Practice

Code: PSYCB2105

Credit Points: 15

The aim of this unit is to provide basic skills that can be applied to a range of fields including, but not limited to, psychology, education, community, and health. This unit will provide you with an overview of major theories of counselling, including behavioural, cognitive, and person-centred approaches. This unit encourages a multicultural perspective, and aims to develop communication and interpersonal skills, and basic counselling micro-skills. Basic professional and practice standards will also be addressed including ethical conduct, confidentiality, and privacy.

Psychology, Culture & Indigenous Australians

Code: PSYCB2106

Credit Points: 15

This unit aims to provide you with an understanding of the centrality of culture to human behaviour. You will explore how culture affects a variety of psychological variables, including identity, social functioning, emotions, mental health, as well as other areas within the discipline of psychology.

A specific focus is aimed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and students will learn how the social, cultural, and historical contexts have shaped contemporary life, especially with regards to well-being. You will be introduced to Indigenous Psychologies, and alternate models of health and well-being.

You will be encouraged to explore your own cultural worldviews, and explore how this influences your own behaviour.

Personality

Code: PSYCB2103

Credit Points: 15

In this unit, you will study personality theories from psychoanalytic, behaviourist, humanistic, cognitive, and trait perspectives. You will critically evaluate various approaches to the study of personality and gain an understanding of the nature and place of theory and technique in comprehending integrated human behaviour.

Social Psychology

Code: PSYCB2104

Credit Points: 15

This unit is designed to enable you to develop an awareness and understanding of social psychological concepts, methods and research. The unit will cover a range of topics, including perception of other people, attitudes and attitude change, group behaviour, social influence, behaviour at work, the impact of the physical environment, and social psychology as an academic endeavour.

Cognitive and Biological Psychology

Code: PSYCB2107

Credit Points: 15

This unit will help you to gain an understanding of the main areas in cognitive psychology and biological psychology, and to become acquainted with the research methods employed in both fields. The unit will cover a range of topics in experimental cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and biological psychology, including the biological foundations of behaviour (functional neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and psychopharmacology), attention and perception, memory, language, and thinking.

Community Practice Approaches

Code: CHUG2003

Credit Points: 15

This unit will introduce you to key theoretical frameworks in community practice approaches to development, social change and community activism. It explores theories, including critical
approaches to community development. In particular it will emphasise the impact of neo-liberalism on development. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of the context in which community activism takes place. It explores community based approaches to social change using examples that include young people, indigenous peoples and women.

Models of Case Management

Code: CHUG2004

Credit Points: 15

This unit will support you to develop a critical awareness and knowledge of models of practice used in case management in the community and human services. Emphasis is placed on building skills in the different interventions used in case management, particularly as it related to complex case issues. By the end of the unit you will be developing engagement and communication skills specific to welfare case management as well as skills in assessment and review, case planning and strategies for inter and intra agency networking to support effective case management.

Year 3

Abnormal Psychology

Code: PSYCB3102

Credit Points: 15

This unit will introduce you to current understanding and concepts in relation to some common adult and child psychological disorders. Theories, relevant research findings, aetiology, and therapies will be considered critically. Ethics of research, practice, and assessment in abnormal psychology will be covered.

Psychology Research: Review

Code: PSYCB3108

Credit Points: 15

The aim of this unit is to enhance your ability to assimilate theory and research from a particular topic area; to extend your capacity to see the area in its wider academic and social context; improve your ability to evaluate the contribution of psychological theory and research to the broad understanding of the issue or behaviour in question; to reflect upon the nature and purpose of literature reviews in psychology; and to further develop writing skills.

Psychology Research: Advanced Analyses

Code: PSYCB3109

Credit Points: 15

This unit aims to extend your knowledge of, and equip you with the ability to conduct, advanced statistical techniques. This unit will build on knowledge gained in earlier undergraduate research methods units. Specifically, the unit will focus on analysis of variance, multiple regression, mediation and moderation, effect sizes, confidence intervals, and some non-parametric techniques (e.g., chi-square tests).

It will also provide insight into the designs associated with, and the logic that underpins, these analyses. Practical skills will be developed by having you conduct data-analysis techniques using a statistics package.

Psychological Testing and Assessment

Code: PSYCB3101

Credit Points: 15

This unit helps students gain an understanding of the essential concepts, theory and issues of psychological assessment including the processes and technical procedures involved in developing, administering and interpreting psychological tests.

Health and Behaviour Change

Code: BEHAV3003

Credit Points: 15

In this unit, you'll gain an understanding of health behaviours and models of health behaviour change. You'll learn about interventions used to help people change their health behaviours, or support them to manage an existing health condition. You will develop the communication, social and problem-solving skills necessary to work with individuals in a health advisory context.

Critical Practice Approaches

Code: CHSUG3001

Credit Points: 15

The main aim of the unit is to develop your understanding of what skills are involved in practising critically. To achieve this, we will explore three aspects: values and their impact on professional practice, ambiguities and uncertainties in practice, and a critique of dominant assumptions upon which societies and welfare practises have been constructed.

The unit will take a critically reflective approach to further develop and consolidate your knowledge and skills. Using a scaffolded case study approach, we explore a number of issues relating to the rights of the child, welfare policy, mental health, youth justice, family violence and aged care. Through analysing, evaluating and applying the case scenarios to these issues, you will develop expertise to practice as a critical practitioner.

Psychology Research: Project

Code: PSYCB3110

Credit Points: 30

The aim of this unit is to enhance your ability to communicate the findings of a study to the psychology community via a journal article. You'll engage with psychological theory and research, develop an aim and hypotheses, analyse a data set and write a journal article following the APA format.

What you will learn

Psychological sciences

Develop a flexible psychological toolkit that encompasses diverse fields within contemporary psychological practice, including cognitive and biological psychology, social psychology, abnormal psychology, and the psychology of personality.

Conceptual thinking

Cultivate a fine-grained understanding of how psychological theory applies to practice through exploration of a diverse range of approaches in psychology.

Psychology research methods

Learn how to draw compelling psychological insights from statistical data, delving deeply into research questions, with data interpretation forming the basis of your professional research practice.

Ethical practice in psychology

Gain a practical understanding of the importance of ethics in psychological research and practice.

Entry requirements

Year 12

Admissions Criteria for current Year 12 students and recent secondary graduates (the past 2 years):

Prerequisites:

ATAR of 50
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any English.

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

Guaranteed ATAR:

This course has a guaranteed ATAR.

If you meet the course pre-requisites and any ‘Essential Requirements for Admission’, we will guarantee you a place in this course with this ATAR. We use the adjusted ATAR, factoring in unit adjustments and SEAS as detailed below.

This is not a minimum ATAR or the lowest ATAR selection rank.

Unit Adjustments:

A study score of 35 in any Humanities, Literature, Media, Philosophy or Psychology equals 3 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points.

SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme):

Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for the Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS). Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, a SEAS application may provide support for your course application.

Year 12 applicants will be ranked based on their ATAR and ATAR Adjustment Factors – e.g. Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) and Unit Adjustments.

Non-Year 12

Non-Year 12 applicants must have completed a minimum of 1 unit of study in HE with results at pass level or VET qualification at Certificate III or higher.

Admission criteria for applications with work and life experience:

Substantive experience in a role with a degree of responsibility and must complete a personal statement.

Credit for previous studies

Credit will be considered if you have successfully completed higher education or TAFE studies. Advanced standing will be determined on an individual basis, depending on your eligibility for credit transfer and qualifications.

Can your studies count towards a degree with us? Use our online Credit Search to get the details on completing your studies sooner.

Further study

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Psychological Science at Federation University Australia have a unique chance. Upon meeting the specified entry criteria, you will secure* a position in our prestigious Honours course, recognising your commitment and dedication to your studies while offering a pathway to advanced training and a promising career in psychology.

Students must meet the following entry requirements for a fourth-year place:

Completion of a three-year sequence in psychology and qualified for an APAC-accredited undergraduate degree (or overseas equivalent as determined by the Australian Psychological Society); or
Completion of a three-year undergraduate degree that is not APAC accredited and completion of a psychology sequence in a higher level, APAC accredited psychology degree (e.g., AQF 8 Graduate Diploma); and
A minimum grade point average of 5.0 (Credit) is required. GPA is calculated using ALL attempts at second- and third-year psychology units from the most recent APAC accredited degree only.

Fourth-year students with the required marks are assured* an interview for our Masters courses, with a 65 average for the Master of Professional Psychology and 70 for the Master of Psychology (Clinical).

*subject to change

Fees and scholarships

2024 Indicative Fees

$8,948 student contribution amount (Commonwealth Supported Place)

If you’re offered a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Your fees (student contribution) are set on an annual basis by the government and are determined by the discipline area and band of your individual enrolled units, not the overall course. Each unit falls into a band which determines the student contribution amount.

Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and the indicative amount should be used as a guide only. Total cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.

Fee assistance

As a Commonwealth Supported Place student, you may be eligible to defer payment of your student contribution through the HECS-HELP loan scheme. Please visit our HECS-HELP webpage for further information.

Other fees

You may need to pay some other fees such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Support services

Be supported through your studies with services tailored to the online learning environment. Federation University Online personalises support for every student, accessible at every stage of your study journey.

Student advisors dedicated to answering your questions about anything from enrolment and course management to essay writing and technical support.
Online Learning Advisors (OLAs) guiding you through your course, bringing industry experience and expertise in online learning to your studies.
Study and assignment resources to help you get the most out of each unit and submit high quality assessments.
An online community made up of a diverse network of students, who you’ll study alongside in learning groups and discussion boards.

Flexible study requires flexible support – discover the services available to you so you can go further.

Learn more

Accreditation

The qualification is recognised by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), enabling you to move into postgraduate study.

Following further postgraduate study and training, you may apply for registration as a psychologist in Australia.

Need more information? Talk to a Course Consultant today.

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Career Outcomes

Mental health support worker

Provide psychologically informed mental health support to consumers suffering from varying degrees of mental illness, such as anxiety and depression.

Psychologist

By undertaking further study and attaining your General Registration, you will be able to practice as a psychologist, providing high quality mental health care in either a public mental health service context, or in private practice.

Family support worker

Guide families navigating difficult challenges by delivering emotional and practical support that is grounded in a psychological understanding of family relations.

Human resources officer

Integrate your psychological perspective into a human resources context. Your foundation in psychological research and practice will help you create a dynamic workplace that caters for diverse personality types, and in doing so drive employee well-being and engagement.

"My academic journey and the amount I have learned would not have been possible without the amazing support of my family and the psychology faculty."

Chase Richardson

Federation University Graduate, Psychology

Industry insights

With a Bachelor of Psychological Science, you will bring your insights to important roles within the community, including:

Mental health support worker
Psychologist
Family support worker
Human resources officer.

The demand for Psychologists is on the rise, with a projected job growth of 13.3% over just the next five years.

Most common salary in Victoria for a psychologist is $98,000

Psychologists enjoy a high job satisfaction rating: 4.2 stars out of 5.

Why study Psychology at Federation University Online?

When you undertake an Psychology course with Federation University Online, you study units designed to ensure you’re readily employable come graduation and equipped with skills to help you succeed.

We received 5 stars for Skills Development in the field of Psychology, placing our courses in the top 20% in Australia.

Courses in the Psychology discipline were rated 5 stars for Student Support.

85.1% of students were happy with the learning resources provided by Federation University.

Why study online with Federation University?

Unparalleled flexibility

Online study is the freedom to fit further study in your life, and to do it on your terms.

Studying online

Personalised support

You will have full access to support services, with tailored support available across extended hours.

Your support

Make it happen online

You will make an impact in whatever you choose to do with practical- and industry-focused courses.

Why us?

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