Bachelor of Psychology CU77

Program at a glance

Duration: 4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
Mode & Location: internal - ROK, external
Courses/Units of Credit: 32 courses or 192 units of credit
Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Health & Sciences
Entry: QTAC
Accreditation: APS Accreditation has been granted for recognition of the BPsych as a 4-year undergraduate degree in Psychology
Residential School: 4 days prior to the commencement of PSYC13015 Advanced Methods in Psychology plus 4 days prior to the commencement of PSYC14023 Advanced Studies in Psychology (4th year)
Practicum/Work placement: not applicable
Exit awards: not applicable
Interim awards: not applicable
Contact: Program Advisor on 07 4930 9253 or email ahs-program1@cqu.edu.au
International students: International students studying in Australia must study full-time, on-campus.
CRICOS program codes: ROK - 033989K

Program outline

The primary purpose of this program is to prepare graduates for conditional registration as psychologists in Queensland and for coursework and research higher degree studies in Psychology. However, the degree serves also as a first degree for students wishing to seek employment in a variety of people-oriented vocations.

By the completion of Level 3 of study, students will have broad knowledge of the discipline of Psychology and its applications, including plan theoretical perspectives within the discipline. In addition, they will have knowledge of the range of core research areas that make up the scientific discipline of Psychology and of the research methodologies and statistical techniques commonly used by researchers for information gathering and analysis. Students will be able to apply this knowledge when undertaking research activities in the core areas of scientific study. In the fourth level students will undertake advanced research training, and will be introduced to applied and professional uses of psychology. As a part of their studies in Levels 3 and 4, students will acquire knowledge of research and professional ethics in psychology, and an appreciation of the social and cultural contexts of psychological research and professional practice.

Career options

Psychologist - in a range of areas including academic, clinical neuropsychology - clinical, community, counselling, educational & development, forensic, organisational, research, sports

Program structure

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 32 courses or 192 units of credit in accordance with the following:

  1. 12 units of credit (2 courses) at first level
  2. a minimum of 30 units of credit (5 courses) at second level including PSYC12047 and PSYC12048
  3. a minimum of 36 units of credit (6 courses) at third level including PSYC13015
  4. 48 units of credit (8 courses) at fourth level.

Failure to satisfy these requirements will result in non-eligibility to graduate.

Compulsory Psychology courses

Level 1

Course Code Course Title
PSYC11008 Biological Foundations of Psychology
PSYC11009 Social Foundations of Psychology

Level 2

Course Code Course Title
PSYC12010 Introduction to Human Development
PSYC12047 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSYC12048 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSYC12012 Physiological Psychology
PSYC12013 Personality
PSYC12014 Social Psychology

Level 3

Course Code Course Title
PSYC13015 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSYC13016 Cognitive Psychology
PSYC13017 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC13018 Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC13019 Developmental Psychology
PSYC13020 Individual Differences & Assessment
PSYC13021 Special Topic in Psychology
PSYC13022 Learning

Level 4

Course Code Course Title
PSYC14023 Advanced Studies in Psychology
PSYC14045 Psychology Research Project*
PSYC14046 Psychology Research Project**
PSYC14025 Professional Practice of Psychology

*Students who withdraw from PSYC14045 will be withdrawn from PSYC14046

**Students who withdraw from PSYC14046 will be withdrawn from PSYC14045 without academic penalty.

Check the details

Recommended study schedule

The following study schedule is meant as an introductory guide for students. Students may determine their own schedule based upon credit transfers and personal study requirements. For more assistance with your study schedule contact the program administrator. The following schedule is designed for full-time students who usually enrol in four courses per term or 24 units of credit. Part-time students should therefore modify this schedule to suit their own needs The normal study load for part-time students is two courses per term or 12 units of credit.

Year 1 - Autumn

Course Code Course Title
PSYC11008 Biological Foundations of Psychology
SOCL11055 Introduction to Sociology
  Other discipline or elective for students' choosing - Sociology as other discipline
  Elective

Year 1 - Winter

Course Code Course Title
PSYC11009 Social Foundations of Psychology
SOCL11056 Australian Society OR
SOCL11058 Science, Technology & Society
  Other discipline or elective for students' choosing - Sociology as other discipline
  Elective

Computing requirements

It is a requirement of enrolment in this program that students have access to the CQU WWW site via the Internet. Students will be expected to undertake various components of study in the degree using e-mail and the Internet.

Application for credit transfer

Credit transfers for Level 2 and 3 courses in Psychology will only be granted where the courses which form the basis of the credit application have been taken as part of a course of study in Psychology academic organisational unit. Credit transfers are not granted for Level 4 courses.

Bachelor of Psychology with Honours

Students who are graduating with the Bachelor of Psychology degree are eligible to graduate with Honours on the following basis:

The student's PSYC14045 and PSYC14046 Psychology Research Project shall involve empirical research culminating in a thesis which shall be examined by at least one examiner who is external to the University; the student in the first attempt in all completed third and fourth level psychology courses shall achieve an average minimum Weighted GPA of 5.00. For this purpose a course grade of High Distinction shall attract 7 Grade Points, a grade of Distinction 6, a grade of Credit 5, a grade of Pass 4, a grade of Pass Conceded 3, a grade of Pass Terminal 2, and a grade of Fail 0.

There shall be 3 levels of Honours awarded in accordance with the following GPA criteria:

Students eligible to graduate with the Bachelor of Psychology degree but who do not meet the above criteria for the award of the degree with Honours will be awarded the degree without specification.