Future Students

Psychology

The Area Of Study

Psychology explores behaviour and mental processes — how they seamlessly fit together at times, and clash at others. There are many different strands within psychology: personality, perception, neuroscience, learning, emotion, social motivation, social psychology of groups and relationships, organisational psychology, developmental psychology, neuropsychology and cognitive processes. You will become skilled at understanding and assessing optimal development, as well as more pathological functioning. A major emphasis is on promoting change in behaviour and/or mental processes where that is desired.

To become a registered psychologist with the Australian Psychological Society (APS) you need to complete a four year full-time degree, undertaking certain core courses to be eligible: either the Bachelor of Arts – Psychology or the Bachelor of Science – Psychology, which can be taken to an Honours level or the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) which is a competitive-entry degree with extra requirements at third year level. Accredited majors in psychology can also be combined with other degrees as listed to the right.

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Degree Program Information

Degree UAI 2008 CSP Course Duration
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) 93.10 4 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Arts – Psychology 83.15 3 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Science – Psychology 83.05 3 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Business Administration with Bachelor of Arts – Psychology 84.55 4 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Arts – Psychology with Diploma of Education 83.60 4 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Arts – Psychology with Bachelor of Health 84.20 4 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Science – Psychology with Bachelor of Health 83.95 4 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Arts – Psychology with Bachelor of Laws 95.25 5 years full-time/equivalent part-time

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What You Will Study

You must complete a program of study (major) in one of the following:

  • Psychology
  • Social/Developmental Psychology
  • Psychology and Biology
  • Psychology and Linguistics
  • Psychology and Philosophy
  • Psychology Honours
  • Psychology and Health
  • Psychology and Law

Your program of study may include units from the subject areas listed below:

  • developmental psychology
  • social psychology
  • perception
  • cognition
  • motivation
  • learning
  • biological psychology
  • personality
  • animal behaviour
  • organisational psychology
  • neuropsychology
  • health psychology

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Recommended Prior Knowledge

First-year psychology units do not require any assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies. Other units taken as part of a degree may require assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies and you should refer to the Macquarie University Handbook of Undergraduate Studies for full degree requirements.

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Accreditation

Getting registered as a professional psychologist

There are two accrediting bodies:

  • The NSW Psychologists Registration Board and
  • The Australian Psychological Society (APS).

The basic requirement for becoming registered as a psychologist in NSW is a four-year university degree in psychology plus two years of supervised experience or a two-year postgraduate degree. For admission to membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), four years of academic training in psychology and a two-year postgraduate degree is required.

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Professional employment in psychology includes work in areas broadly classified as:

  • clinical
  • counseling
  • educational
  • organisational and academic psychology

Registered psychologists are employed in:

  • hospitals
  • health service organisations
  • government departments and agencies
  • educational institutions
  • business
  • private practice

Those who complete a three year degree in psychology develop sought after generic skills including an ability to do research and write reports, and so readily find positions in a variety of areas such as: personnel, training, family and community services, hospitals and community health, police forces and education.

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Further Information:

Department of Psychology
Macquarie University, NSW, 2109
Email: psychology@mq.edu.au
Telephone:  (02) 9850 8050
Fax: (02) 9850 8062
Web:  www.psy.mq.edu.au

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