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.

Your course is recognised by industry

CSU's Bachelor of Psychology is accredited as a four-year psychology course by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

The Bachelor of Psychology/Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is a four year degree that splits into two strands in fourth year, a pass strand and an honours strand. Progression into fourth year is dependent upon a high level of academic performance. Students who do not meet the criteria for progression into fourth year will transfer to and graduate from the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) which is a three year degree.

The pass strand comprises:

• 18 core psychology subjects (8 points each);
• two compulsory sociology subjects (8 points each);
• a minor of six subjects from a cognate discipline (48 points in total), one of which must be a Level 3 subject;
• three electives (8 points each); and
• a research project (24 points)

The Honours strand comprises:

• 17 core psychology subjects (8 points each);
• two compulsory sociology subjects (8 points each);
• a minor of six subjects from a cognate discipline (48 points in total), one of which must be a Level 3 subject;
• three electives (8 points each); and
• a dissertation (32 points)

Core Level 1 to 3 Subjects

PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing*
PSY208 Biopsychology
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology*
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods*
PSY304 Psychopathology
PSY305 Psychology of Personality
PSY307 Cognition
PSY308 Psychology of Learning*
* Students studying by distance education attend a compulsory residential school for this subject

Compulsory Sociology Subjects

SOC101 Introductory Sociology
SOC102 Social Inequality

Minor

Students must take a minor of six subjects, at least one of which must be at Level 3, in one of the discipline areas listed below:
• Communication
• English
• History and Politics
• Justice Studies
• Philosophy
• Social Welfare
• Sociology
• Theology
• Indigenous Studies (in conjunction with the Faculty of Education & the Centre for Indigenous Studies)
• Biology (Faculty of Science)
• Human Resource Management (Faculty of Business)
• Information Technology (Faculty of Business)
• Management (Faculty of Business)
• Marketing (Faculty of Business)
• Mathematics and Statistics (Faculty of Business)
Note: Students who choose Sociology as a minor complete four sociology subjects (one of which must be a Level 3 subject) in addition to the two compulsory sociology subjects (SOC101 and SOC102 ; they will need to choose five electives.

Details of the subjects included in each of these minors may be obtained from psychadmin@csu.edu.au. On-campus students may have to complete some or all subjects in their chosen minor by distance education mode. Students may take any six subjects from one of the areas listed provided they meet the prerequisites/assumed knowledge requirements and include at least one Level 3 subject. A minor in another discipline may be taken with the approval of the Course Coordinator: email psychadmin@csu.edu.au

Electives

The three electives (five if the minor is in Sociology) can be chosen from any of the discipline areas listed above or from the following psychology electives:
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction
PSY211 Psychology of Crime
PSY214 Health Psychology
PSY218 Psychology of Substance Abuse
PSY219 Psychology International Experience
PSY313 Psychology and the Legal System
PSY316 Psychology of Stress and Trauma

Pass Strand

Progression into the pass strand requires a Grade Point Average (GPA) of between 5.0 and 5.99 calculated across Level 2 and 3 core psychology subjects (11), and a minimum GPA of 5.0 for the Level 3 core psychology subjects (6). Students who satisfy these criteria will complete:
PSY404 Psychological Assessment*
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology*
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)*
PSY437 Counselling Theory and Practice*
and two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology – Treatment*
PSY422 Forensic Psychology*
PSY423 Industrial/Organisational Psychology*
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience*
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology*
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics*
* Students attend a compulsory residential school for this subject

Honours Strand

Progression into the honours strand requires a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 6.0 calculated across Level 2 and 3 core psychology subjects (11), and a minimum GPA of 5.0 for the Level 3 core psychology subjects (6). Students who satisfy these requirements, and whose application to transfer into the Honours strand is successful, will complete:
PSY404 Psychological Assessment*
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology*
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)*
and two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment*
PSY422 Forensic Psychology*
PSY423 Industrial/Organisational Psychology*
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience*
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology*
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics*
* Students attend a compulsory residential school for this subject

Key Subjects

PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods

Enrolment pattern

Suggested Enrolment Patterns

Full-time On campus (Bathurst)

Students enrolled at Wagga Wagga and Port Macquarie campuses should email the School for enrolment details, as subject offerings may vary across campuses and sessions: psychadmin@csu.edu.au.

Year 1
Session 1
PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Session 2
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
SOC102 Social Inequality
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 2
Session 1
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
PSY208 Biopsychology
[ ] Minor or Elective

Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 3
Students must complete:
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY304 Psychopathology
PSY305 Psychology of Personality
PSY307 Cognition
PSY308 Psychology of Learning
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods

Session 1
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective

Session 2
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective

Year 4
All Level 4 psychology subjects are offered in distance education mode and require attendance at compulsory residential schools.

Pass Stream via Bathurst

Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Pass Stream via Wagga Wagga

Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology

Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Honours Stream via Bathurst

Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Honours Stream via Wagga Wagga

Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology

Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Distance education

Year 1
Session 1
PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
SOC101 Introductory Sociology

Session 2
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
SOC102 Social Inequality

Year 2
Session 1
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
[ ] Minor or Elective

Session 2
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 3
Session 1
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing (residential school)

Session 2
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 4
Session 1
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY208 Biopsychology

Years 5-6
Students must complete:
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology (Session 1)
PSY304 Psychopathology (Session 2)
PSY305 Psychology of Personality (Session 1)
PSY307 Cognition (Session 2)
PSY308 Psychology of Learning (Session 1)
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods (Session 2)

Year 5
Session 1
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology (residential school)
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective

Session 2
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods (residential school)
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective

Year 6
Session 1
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective

Session 2
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective

Years 7-8
All Level 4 psychology subjects are offered in distance education mode and require attendance at compulsory residential schools.

Pass Stream via Bathurst

Year 7
Session 1
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Session 2
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Year 8
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)

Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)

Pass Stream via Wagga Wagga

Year 7
Session 1
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology

Session 2
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Year 8
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)

Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)

Honours Stream via Bathurst

Year 7
Session 1
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Session 2
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Year 8
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)

Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)

Honours Stream via Wagga Wagga

Year 7
Session 1
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology

Session 2
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Year 8
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)

Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

  1. previous studies, and
  2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

  • the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
  • the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
  • a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
  • a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
  • an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
  • completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

  • voluntary or paid work experience;
  • performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
  • participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
  • completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

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This course is available to commence study in

Session 1

Australian and New Zealand students

Apply through UAC

Full-time on campus study commencing in Session 1 or Session 2

Admission code:

  • Bathurst - 211807
  • Port Macquarie - 211810
  • Wagga Wagga - 211804

Apply online

Admission code:

International Students

Apply online

Admission code:

  • On campus -
    • Bathurst - IAPY
      • Distance education - JAPY

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      Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.

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