Bachelor of Psychology

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Psychology is designed to meet the initial requirement of professional training in psychology.

Successful completion of this course will satisfy the minimum academic requirements for provisional registration as a Psychologist (two years of supervised experience or completion of a two-year accredited postgraduate degree would still be required).

The Bachelor of Psychology is a high-demand course and the ATAR (or equivalent) for entry is greater than that for the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology). Students who do not satisfy the entry requirement may enrol in the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and then transfer to the Bachelor of Psychology at a later stage if their academic performance is good.

Psychology is concerned with the scientific understanding of human behaviour. It is both an academic discipline and a profession.

As an academic discipline, it comprises a body of knowledge about behaviour and mental process, and involves research to extend that knowledge. Psychology as a profession involves the application of psychological knowledge to solve social and behavioural problems and to promote human welfare.

It is important that minors and subjects are chosen in consultation with the Course Coordinator to ensure course requirements are met.

CSU is looking to expand its offerings of the Bachelor of Psychology to our Port Macquarie Campus in 2014.

Professional recognition

The Bathurst and Wagga Wagga courses are each accredited as a four-year sequence of study by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Completion of the course satisfies the minimum academic requirements for provisional registration as a psychologist. Full registration requires a further two years of supervised experience or completion of an APAC-accredited Masters program. Application is being made to APAC for the accreditation of the Port Macquarie course to be offered for the first time in 2014.

Transfer into Honours strand

Students who meet certain eligibility criteria [PDF] may apply to transfer to the Honours stream.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.