Bachelor of Psychology

• Study a degree accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
• Learn innovative course content informed by cutting-edge research that has been assessed as well above world class¹.
• Use your degree as a pathway to become a professional clinical psychologist with further postgraduate study².
• Boost your employment prospects in diverse industries such as marketing, health care, HR, education and human services.
• Use your qualification to move directly into employment or as a foundation for further specialised postgraduate study².

¹2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
²Your three-year Bachelor of Psychology degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and is the first step towards becoming a professional psychologist.

Snapshot

Study On Demand – this is a 100% online psychology degree designed specifically for online learning. With UniSA Online, you can take full control over your study, access support seven days a week, plan your study to fit around your life, view learning resources 24/7, and log into the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device.

Our innovative psychology curriculum has been recognised by teaching and learning national bodies and has received commendations from the Australian Psychology Educators network for innovative learning. You’ll graduate with a degree accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Designed and taught by world-class researchers, you’ll study course content that is relevant, up-to-date and informed by cutting-edge research that has been assessed as above world class¹. Our specialist psychology courses in the areas of work and organisational psychology, health psychology, and conservation psychology are taught by expert academics who are leading researchers in these fields.

While this degree is a pathway for a career as a professional psychologist (with further study²), it also prepares you for roles in a variety of other fields. Choose to undertake postgraduate studies in sociology, social work, human services, business or justice studies and find work in local councils, state or federal government departments, market research agencies – the opportunities are endless. Whether you’re looking to restart or advance your career, this degree will set you up on a path towards career success.

¹2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
²Your three-year Bachelor of Psychology degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and is the first step towards becoming a professional psychologist.

What you'll learn

Professionals in this field are focused on finding explanations for the nature of human behaviour, drawing on advanced scientific methods and tools to understand people’s emotions, thoughts, and actions. Through your studies, you’ll learn to conduct, dissect and interpret scientific research.

Understanding contemporary research and evidence-based practice is essential for psychologists in their work with clients. Through this program, you will learn about psychological research methods, collect and analyse data through questionnaires and sampling procedures, use SPSS software to conduct appropriate statistical analyses, and present and share your findings. This degree applies real-world research to provide a solid foundation of knowledge for those seeking to pursue further post-graduate training and a career in psychology.

Study the inner workings of the brain, discover how personality forms and uncover how memory can be enhanced. Explore the way society and culture impact behaviour, factors that make us crack under pressure, and uncover the theories behind motivation and emotion. Examine biological factors such as the structure and function of the human nervous system and brain, states of human consciousness, processes of motivation and emotion, and the major theories of learning.

While this degree does not include any formal placements, there is a strong focus on practical, real-world learning. For example, in your Health Psychology course, you’ll conduct an evidence-based behavioural intervention on a health behaviour such as sleep, exercise or diet. Your Work and Organisational Psychology course require you to assess an employee’s job abilities and characteristics that are required to successfully perform their role. In the Conservation Psychology course, you’ll learn to develop a behaviour change message related to a conservation issue and communicate with multiple audiences.

Throughout your studies, you’ll also be supported to develop a personal and professional development plan to reach your study and work goals throughout, and beyond, your degree. You’ll leave well prepared to hit the ground running when you graduate.

Study hours

Studying 100% online means you can engage with course materials at your own pace, whenever it suits you – there is no need to be online at a particular time. It’s flexible around your life so you can control your study schedule week by week. As a general rule, we recommend 10 to 15 hours of study a week for each course.

Assessment

All assessments, including exams (if required), are 100% online, meaning you’ll never need to travel to submit an assignment or find an exam venue.

Some of your assessments may include:

• an industry-relevant project
• an online presentation
• essays and reports

Degree structure

Please note, courses may not be displayed in order of study.

First year

• UO Critical Approaches to Online Learning (CURR 3021), Rule(s): 1
• UO Psychology 1A (BEHL 1030)
• UO Psychology 1B (BEHL 1031)
• UO Contemporary Aboriginal Issues (HUMS 1059)
• UO Personal and Professional Development (BEHL 1029)
• UO Connecting and Working with Nature (BEHL 1028) OR
• UO The Social World (SOCU 1008)
• UO Introductory Research Methods (BEHL 2019)
• Elective, Note(s): 1,2

Second year

• UO Cognitive Psychology (BEHL 2018)
• Elective, Note(s): 1,2
• UO Biological and Learning Psychology (BEHL 2017)
• Elective, Note(s): 1
• UO Developmental Psychology (BEHL 2016)
• Elective, Note(s): 1
• UO Social and Community Psychology (BEHL 2020)
• Elective, Note(s): 1

Third year

• Elective: Specialist Psychology Course, Rule(s): 2,3
• Elective: Specialist Psychology Course, Rule(s): 2,3
• UO Personality Psychology (BEHL 3036)
• Elective, Note(s): 1
• UO Clinical and Abnormal Psychology (BEHL 3032)
• Elective, Note(s): 1
• Elective: Specialist Psychology Course, Rule(s): 2,3
• Elective, Note(s): 1

Study a Bachelor of Psychology 100% online

Why a Bachelor of Psychology

There is a large national demand for professionals in the health and welfare services industries¹.

Regardless of your career path, an understanding of psychology will enhance your job prospects, especially if your career requires you to work and collaborate with others. The knowledge and empathy gained in your degree will not only help you understand people’s behaviour and motivations, it will change the way you manage conflicts in your professional and personal life while also developing critical leadership skills – an essential attribute for all professionals, not just managers.

Your knowledge of research methods, ability to analyse data, communicate complex information and understand human behaviour will position you well for your future career, regardless of whether you choose to pursue a career in psychology or work in any other industry.

Your understanding of what makes people tick, and why people act in certain ways is a valuable skill in a wide variety of industries including marketing, health care and social services. Make a real impact on the lives of others. Help people overcome adversity, increase their wellbeing and live life to their full potential.

Maximise your employment opportunities and tailor your degree by choosing electives that match your career interest. Through the program electives, you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in areas such as human services, disability and ageing, health, criminal justice, HR, or marketing and communications.

¹Joboutlook.gov.au

Your career

Job prospects for psychologists¹ is forecasted to grow very strongly, with approximately 38,000 job openings over the next five years.²

A psychology degree opens a variety of career paths. Graduates will be qualified to gain employment in a wide range of areas, including the health and human services sectors; research organisations; and government and non-government organisations. Many professionals put their knowledge of psychology to work in various industries including marketing, business, advertising, criminal justice, education, health services, HR and others.

Graduates of this degree will have the option to take one of two pathways, moving directly into employment or using their degree as a foundation for further specialised postgraduate study.

¹To become a psychologist, you must complete further specialised study to fulfil the requirements of the Australian Psychological Association Council and Psychology Board of Australia for registration.
²Joboutlook.gov.au

Careers to consider include:

• Clinical psychologist (with further study)*:
  Provide a range of psychological services to individuals across their lifespan; understand the broad expanse of mental health issues and how they may occur at any age; and design and implement treatment strategies in various settings including primary care, psychiatric and rehabilitation.
• Work and organisational psychologist (with further study)*:
  Apply psychological principles and research methods to solve problems in the workplace and improve quality of life; investigate workplace productivity and management and employee working styles; and collaborate with management to develop policies and training sessions to improve organisational performance and morale.
• Market research analyst:
  Study consumer behaviour and patterns; monitor and forecast marketing and sales trends; measure the effectiveness of marketing strategies; devise and evaluate methods for collecting data; communicate complex data and findings into understandable tables, graphs and written reports; and present results to clients and management.
• Psychology research assistant:
  Perform daily activities involved in conducting research studies including recruiting and liaising with study participants, booking appointments, administering study questionnaires and process data; record, analyse and present research outcomes to stakeholders; and produce high-quality publications.
• Case manager:
  Work in fields such as social and human services and community programs; specialises in aged care, alcohol and other drugs, youth and family, migration and rehabilitation.

*To be a clinical psychologist, you must fulfil the requirements of the Australian Psychological Association and Psychology Board of Australia for registration. Students who wish to be an accredited clinical psychologist can go on to study UniSA’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree. Note that on-campus study is required. Students planning to undertake Honours must successfully complete Advanced Research Methods, which is a specialist psychology course in the degree.

Professional accreditation

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. On completion of the program, graduates will have met the prerequisites to apply for fourth-year programs in Psychology.

Study On Demand

Our online career-focused degrees give you full control and ultimate flexibility over your study. It’s Study On Demand, on your schedule, on your terms.

• Designed specifically for your online learning
  Designed by a team of academic and online experts, our course materials are delivered in an interactive way using innovative digital technology and state-of-the-art teaching and learning resources.
• Study when it suits you
  Our online degrees support students who lead busy lifestyles. With four start dates a year in January, March, July and September there is no need to interrupt your life.
• Take control of your study schedule
  With all content available from day one of your course, you have the power to plan your study schedule in advance. 
• Finish each course in 10 weeks
  Our courses are delivered within 10-week terms to keep you motivated throughout your degree. Study two courses a term or just one.
• 100% online study
  You won’t need to come onto campus for coursework, assessments or exams. Complete all study for your degree where it suits you.
• Get the help you need
  Whether you need help with course content or assessments, we offer the academic support and services you need to be successful in your studies.
• Adjust your study to your life
  There’s no need to interrupt work and family life or spend money on travel and student accommodation. Organise study around your life.
• Learn from world-renowned academics
  Get a degree that’s designed and taught by leading academics and industry professionals.
• 100% online interactive learning environment
  Our interactive online learning environment supports all your study needs. Log in anytime, on any device, wherever it suits you.
• Access a library of over 700,000 digital resources
  Access a library of more than 700,000 digital resources including e-books, videos and journal articles. Our Ask the Library virtual service can help you locate, access, evaluate, use and reference a range of information resources.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS total [6]
• IELTS reading [6]
• IELTS writing [6]

IT Requirements

As a general rule of thumb, any desktop or laptop computer purchased in the past three years should be capable of meeting your online learning needs. While mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones will be able to access most of your online course content, there are likely to be elements of most courses where we recommend you use a desktop or laptop computer. Your computer should be able to:

• run a modern browser (Internet Explorer 10, Firefox 24, Safari 5, or Chrome 32 or later versions)
• run Java and in some cases Flash (devices running on Apple's iOS operating system, such as iPads, iPhones, do not run Flash)
• run programs to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations
• use a web camera and headset (or ear pods with microphone)
• Some UniSA Online degrees require an online exam. The online exam software – Remote Proctor Now – has specific capability requirements. Please refer to the system requirements prior to conducting your exam to ensure your computer is compatible.

Access free IT software and resources

As a UniSA Online student, you'll:

• Get free access to the full Office 365 ProPlus suite, which includes full versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access and Lync software. Install the full suite on up to five different devices (PC and Mac compatible). 
• Get 1Tb of personal storage that syncs with your PC or mobile device through OneDrive - it's like an extra hard drive that allows you to open any of your files from any of your devices, whenever you need them. 
• Get free access to LinkedIn Learning - Access more than 5000 video courses on a broad range of topics such as the Microsoft Office suite, time management and study skills, health and wellbeing, communication and presentation skills, photography, film making and designing your own games or mobile apps.
• Be able to connect with others using Skype for Business, Yammer and the Outlook Web App.

There are some degrees that have specialised software requirements. We've made this software available to students to access for free - you'll be able to download and install any of the required programs on your own device anywhere and anytime. 

Check your device

Our computer system test will determine if your device has the base system resources and software required to study online. It'll also check the speed of your internet connection.

How to apply

The application process is easy – just follow these simple steps:

1. Submit an online enquiry

If you're ready to apply, the first step is to fill out and submit our online enquiry form. Here you'll be asked a series of questions to see if you're eligible. Following your online enquiry, one of our Degree Advisers will contact you at your preferred time to discuss the application process.

2. Speak to a Degree Adviser and start your application

If you're eligible, you'll receive an email outlining the entry requirements and the relevant documentation you need in order to be considered.

In order to verify your academic qualifications, you'll need to upload relevant documents like your official parchment, certificates or transcripts. If you have work experience, you will need to upload your CV as well as any other documents like work references, professional recognition or accreditation or your training certification.

Your email will contain information on the specific documents you need to provide as well as a link to begin your application. You'll be asked to create an account and set your own password.

3. Complete your application and send through your documents

In order to proceed with your conditional offer, you’ll need to complete your application and provide the required evidence of your previous study or work experience.