Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
What is this course about?
CSU's Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) course is a platform to further study in the field of psychology.
This three-year course is the same as the first three years of the Bachelor of Psychology, but the entry requirements are not as high. Students must complete a minimum of 13 core psychology subjects.
In addition, students take up to five additional psychology subjects as electives (see below), and must choose a six-subject minor from a cognate discipline. It is important that minors and subjects are chosen in consultation with the Course Coordinator to ensure course requirements are met.
Transfer to further study
Students in the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) who meet certain eligibility criteria [PDF] in third year will be eligible to transfer to the Bachelor of Psychology or Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) program.
Residential schools
Students studying by distance education must attend compulsory residential schools for some subjects.
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.
The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) is a three year degree, comprising 24 subjects:
- 12 core psychology 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;
- two compulsory sociology subjects (8 points each); and
- four electives (8 points each).
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*
and at least three of the following subjects (it is recommended that students complete four of these subjects, counting the fourth as one of their electives).
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
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 six electives to bring the total number of subjects up to 24.
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 four electives (six 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
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
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 PSY309 and at least three of the core Level 3 psychology subjects listed below. Note: it is recommended that students complete four of these psychology subjects, counting the fourth as one of their electives.
PSY304 Psychopathology
PSY305 Psychology of Personality
PSY307 Cognition
PSY308 Psychology of Learning
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
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
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY208 Biopsychology
Year 4
Session 1
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing (residential school)
Session 2
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective
Years 5-6
Students must complete PSY301 PSY309 and at least three of the core Level 3 psychology subjects listed below. Note: it is recommended that students complete four of these psychology subjects, counting the fourth as one of their electives.
PSY304 Psychopathology (Session 2)
PSY305 Psychology of Personality (Session 1)
PSY307 Cognition (Session 2)
PSY308 Psychology of Learning (residential school) (Session 1)
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
Admission requirements
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
- previous studies, and
- 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; Session 2; Session 3
Australian and New Zealand students
Apply through UAC
Full-time on campus study commencing in Session 1 or Session 2
Admission code: Bathurst - 211857
Wagga Wagga - 211854
Apply online
Admission code: Distance education - EAPQ
International Students
Apply online
Admission code: On campus - IAPQ
Distance education - JAPQ
Recruitment agent
Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.
More information:
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Prospective Student Inquiries
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info.csu can provide support and guidance to prospective students on everything you need to know on the University, courses, fees, accommodation, etc.
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International + 61 2 6338 6077 Fax (02) 6338 6001
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