Gain skills and knowledge to work as a human resources professional or complete further study to become a registered psychologist.
Combine studies in psychology with courses in human resource management, workplace relations, leadership and team dynamics, and management strategy. Develop knowledge of theories, methods and research findings in psychology, and learn how to apply this knowledge to human resource activities such as recruitment, selection, motivation, training and development, and management of organisational change.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2024 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Combine studies in psychology with courses in human resource management, workplace relations, leadership and team dynamics, and management strategy. Develop knowledge of theories, methods and research findings in psychology, and learn how to apply this knowledge to human resource activities such as recruitment, selection, motivation, training and development, and management of organisational change.
Career opportunities
Human resources, management, recruitment, staff development and training, industrial relations, employment relations, psychology (with further study).
Membership
Australian Human Resources Institute; Australian Institute of Management; Australian Institute of Training and Development.
Accreditation
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) has accredited Pathway 1 of the Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Business (Psychology and Human Resource Management) as a three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology. Following successful completion of an accredited honours year plus either further accredited postgraduate study or supervision following the guidelines of the Psychologists Registration Board in their state or territory, graduates may be eligible for registration as a psychologist in that state or territory.
Honours
USC offers an accredited honours year—the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours)—to enable direct entry upon completion of Pathway 1. Note that a minimum grade point average in the Pathway 1 psychology courses is required for honours entry.
Program structure
Program structure
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete either Pathway 1 or Pathway 2.
- Complete 32 required courses in Pathway 1, or
- Complete 26 required courses, 1 School of Communication or School of Social Sciences Minor and 2 School of Communication or School of Social Sciences electives in Pathway 2.
- Complete a maximum of 5 introductory level courses from the School of Communication and School of Social Sciences.
- Complete no more than 192 units of introductory level courses in total, including core courses.
- Register any selected Majors and Minors with Student Administration.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 Study Plan
Pathway 1
This pathway may lead to direct entry into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program, subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Enabling General Mathematics
COR110 Enabling Mathematics for Physics
COR111 Enabling Statistics
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2):
PSY100 Enabling Biology
PSY101 Enabling Physiology
Advanced courses (12):
PSY200 Communication and Thought
PSY201 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
PSY202 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY203 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY204 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY205 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY300 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY301 Physiological Psychology
PSY302 Introduction to Human Development
PSY303 Social Psychology
PSY304 Motivation and Emotion
PSY305 Advanced Methods in Psychology
School of Business courses
Introductory courses (9):
BUS101 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
BUS102 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
BUS103 Personality and Assessment
BUS104 Human Associative Learning
BUS105 Abnormal Psychology
BUS106 Applied Research Methods
BUS108 Introduction to Economics
BUS211 Business Law and Ethics
BUS320 Management and Organisational Behaviour
Advanced courses (7):
HRM210 Introduction to Marketing
HRM211 Accounting for Business
HRM220 Introduction to Informatics
HRM221 Strategic Management
HRM312 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
HRM321 Managing Human Resources
SCS276 Staffing and Remuneration ^
^ SCS276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 388
Pathway 2
This pathway will not lead to direct entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program.
Indirect entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) program would require completion of 6 further Psychology courses, and would be subject to achievement of a minimum grade point average in Psychology courses.
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Managing Workplace Relations
COR110 Employment and Industrial Law
COR111 Training and Development
School of Social Sciences courses
Introductory courses (2)
PSY100 Managing Organisational Change
PSY101 Group Work
Advanced courses (2)
PSY200 Communication and Thought
PSY201 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
PLUS Select 4 courses from the following:
PSY202 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY203 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY204 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY205 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY300 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY301 Physiological Psychology
PSY302 Introduction to Human Development
PSY303 Social Psychology
PSY304 Motivation and Emotion
Minor
Select a minor (4 courses) from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
Elective courses
Select 2 elective courses from the School of Communication or School of Social Sciences
School of Business
Required courses (9)
BUS101 Advanced Methods in Psychology
BUS102 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
BUS103 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
BUS104 Personality and Assessment
BUS105 Human Associative Learning
BUS106 Applied Research Methods
BUS108 Economics for Business
BUS211 Business Law and Ethics
BUS320 Management and Organisational Behaviour
Advanced courses (7)
HRM210 Marketing Theory and Practice
HRM211 Accounting for Business
HRM220 Introduction to Informatics
HRM221 Strategic Management
HRM312 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
HRM321 Managing Human Resources
SCS276 Staffing and Remuneration ^
^ SCS276 will be recognised as a component of the Human Resource Management major in lieu of HRM311 Leadership and Team Dynamics.
TOTAL UNITS 384