Psychology

(UAC Code 753122)

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and experience, the physiological, sensory and cognitive processes that underlie it, and the profession that applies this knowledge to practical problems. Psychologists help us to understand who we are and how we think, feel, act and change. They aim to help people function better, and to prevent ill-health and other problems developing. Psychologists' clients include children, adults, couples, families and organisations.

Entry Requirements / Assumed Knowledge

Domestic school leavers are assumed to have completed at least 2 units of English at HSC level.

International students are required to have achieved a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Alternative pathways exist for mature age domestic students.

Major Study

The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (UOW Course Code 708) requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects in accordance with the table below, which incorporates the 72 credit points of Psychology subjects required to achieve a major in Psychology.

Elective subjects to the value of 72 credit points are chosen from the Health and Behavioural Sciences, Arts, or the General Schedule. Students should refer to the Award Rules for the Bachelor of Arts (Course Code 708) for further details.

Double majors are not available in Course 708 Bachelor of Arts.

Honours

Honours in Psychology is a fourth year of study accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). It is offered on a one year full-time or two year part-time basis. Psychology Honours is a route to the Postgraduate coursework or research degrees in Psychology. It is also a partial qualification for registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, a post-degree supervision period also being required. Graduates of the University of Wollongong with a major in Psychology are eligible to apply for admission to Psychology Honours provided that: they have completed an undergraduate degree curriculum with a major in psychology; they have completed PSYC251 Psychology of Abnormality, PSYC348 History and Metatheory of Psychology, and PSYC354 Design and Analysis; they have completed at least 76 credit points of Psychology subjects at 200- and 300- levels; they have at least a credit average for Psychology subjects at 200- and 300- levels. For the purposes of assessing eligibility for entry to the Honours program, the School uses the weighted average mark (WAM) of the best 11 subjects from successfully completed 200- and 300- level Psychology subjects, including PSYC354 Design and Analysis and PSYC348 History and Metatheory in Psychology (or their equivalent).

Professional Recognition

Completion of four years in Psychology is an important first step for registration as a psychologist in Australia. The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) is accredited as the first three years of study. To complete the four years students must complete an accredited add-on Honours year or an accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology* to meet the academic requirement for conditional registration as a psychologist in NSW. An additional two years of supervised practice is necessary to apply for registration as a professional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. This can be through two years supervised practice in the community or a fifth year at University plus one year of supervised practice in the community. Accreditation with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), the national professional association, requires 6 years of approved academic study.

* The Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology is not offered at the University of Wollongong.

Other Information

Other information is available at http://coursefinder.uow.edu.au/