The course includes the following awards:

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) BSocSc(Psych)

Course Study Modes and Locations

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (1415PY)

Distance Education - Bathurst
On Campus - Bathurst
On Campus - Port Macquarie
On Campus - Wagga Wagga

Availability is subject to change, please verify prior to enrolment.

Normal course duration

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

Full-time 3.0 years (6.0 sessions)

Part-time 6.0 years (12.0 sessions)

On-campus students admitted in Session 1 have the opportunity to complete the course over two calendar years, utilising subjects offered in the distance education mode in Session 3.

Normal course duration is the effective period of time taken to complete a course when studied Full-time (Full-time Equivalent: FTE). Students are advised to consult the Enrolment Pattern for the actual length of study. Not all courses are offered in Full-time mode.

Admission criteria

CSU Admission Policy

Admission is normally based on ATAR or equivalent.

Credit

CSU Credit Policy

No special arrangements apply.

Graduation requirements

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 192 points.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) is a three year degree, comprising 24 subjects:

• a minimum 13 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
• three electives (8 points each).

Core Level 1 to 3 Subjects

PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction
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. Subjects are delivered internally at the campus or campuses specified in parentheses, however all minor sequences are also available by distance education.

• Biology (Wagga Wagga)
• Communication (Bathurst)
• English (Bathurst & Wagga Wagga)
• History and Politics (Bathurst & Wagga Wagga)
• Human Resource Management (Bathurst, Port Macquarie & Wagga Wagga)
• Indigenous Studies (Distance Education only)
• Information Technology (Bathurst & Wagga Wagga)
• Justice Studies (Bathurst & Port Macquarie)
• Management (Bathurst, Port Macquarie & Wagga Wagga)
• Marketing (Bathurst, Port Macquarie & Wagga Wagga)
• Mathematics and Statistics (Wagga Wagga)
• Philosophy (Wagga Wagga)
• Social Welfare (Wagga Wagga)
• Sociology (Wagga Wagga)

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:
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)

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
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction*
SOC102 Social Inequality
[ ] 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 (Session 1)
PSY305 Psychology of Personality (Session 1)
PSY307 Cognition (Session 2)
PSY308 Psychology of Learning (Session 2)

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

On campus (Port Macquarie)

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
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction*
SOC102 Social Inequality*
[ ] Minor or Elective

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

Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
PSY208 Biopsychology*
[ ] 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* (Session 2)
PSY305 Psychology of Personality* (Session 1)
PSY307 Cognition *(Session 2)
PSY308 Psychology of Learning *(Session 1)

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
* indicates subject is offered in the distance education mode only

On campus (Wagga Wagga)

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
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction*
SOC102 Social Inequality*
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 2
Session 1
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
PSY208 Biopsychology*
[ ] 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 (Session 2)
PSY305 Psychology of Personality (Session 1)
PSY307 Cognition (Session 2)
PSY308 Psychology of Learning (Session 2)

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
* indicates subject is offered in the distance education mode only

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
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction*
[ ] 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
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 (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

Accelerated Enrolment Patterns
The following enrolment patterns are designed to facilitate the completion of this course over a period of two calendar years, and are based on the following assumptions:
• that students will complete all six core Level 3 PSY subjects. Students who choose not to complete the sixth core Level 3 PSY subject will need to modify the enrolment pattern to include an additional elective;
• that only students admitted in Session 1 each year will be supported to complete their degree across two calendar years;
• that students who fail to complete PSY101, PSY102, or PSY201 on the first attempt will not be able to continue with this accelerated enrolment pattern;
• that some distance education study may be required where the subject offerings do not support a full-time on-campus study load;
• that Session 3 PSY subjects will be offered only in the distance education mode;
• that the School of Psychology cannot guarantee that every minor sequence available will be able to be completed within two calendar years.

Students completing a minor sequence with subject offerings in Sessions 1 and 2 only will need to defer their study of SOC102 until Session 3; they will need to complete all their electives in Session 3.

Students will be responsible for planning their enrolment to satisfy course requirements within the two year timeframe, so careful advance planning across the entire course duration will be required. Students who choose to complete six sessions of full-time study within two calendar years will not be able to base any claim of special consideration on their chosen study pattern e.g., as it may relate to academic performance and course transfer to the BPsych or BPsych(Hons), or admission to the PGDipPsych or BSocSc(Psych)(Hons).

Bathurst Campus
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
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction*
SOC102 Social Inequality or [ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Session 3
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology*
PSY202 Developmental Psychology*
SOC102 Social Inequality* or [ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 2
Session 1
PSY208 Biopsychology
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY304 Psychopathology
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
PSY308 Psychology of Learning
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods
Session 3
PSY305 Psychology of Personality*
PSY307 Cognition*
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
* indicates subject is offered in the distance education mode only

Port Macquarie Campus
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
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction*
SOC102 Social Inequality* or [ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Session 3
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology*
PSY202 Developmental Psychology*
SOC102 Social Inequality* or [ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 2
Session 1
PSY204 Psychological Testing*
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY308 Psychology of Learning*
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology*
PSY208 Biopsychology*
PSY304 Psychopathology*
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods
Session 3
PSY305 Psychology of Personality*
PSY307 Cognition*
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
* indicates subject is offered in the distance education mode only

Wagga Wagga Campus
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
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction*
SOC102 Social Inequality or [ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Session 3
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology*
PSY202 Developmental Psychology*
SOC102 Social Inequality* or [ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 2
Session 1
PSY204 Psychological Testing*
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY308 Psychology of Learning*
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY208 Biopsychology*
PSY304 Psychopathology
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods
Session 3
PSY305 Psychology of Personality*
PSY307 Cognition*
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
* indicates subject is offered in the distance education mode only

Residential School

Please note that the following subjects may have a residential school component.

PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods

Enrolled students can find further information about CSU residential schools via the About Residential School page.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as providing a three year sequence of study in psychology.