Start Date
Feb, May, Sept
Qualification
Undergraduate
Duration
3 years full-time / part-time equivalent
Subject
24 units
Fees
$9,314* / year
Mode
100% Online
Apply Now

Course Overview

Our online Bachelor of Psychological and Social Sciences degree provides skills fundamental to the theory and practice of psychology including replacing assumptions and popular myths with evidence-based approaches.

This course helps students to gain an introduction to the scientific techniques and methods used to understand causes of behaviour, as well as how to effectively research findings. Explore the study of contemporary theories behind mental processes and developmental psychology which are all central to many aspects of psychology.

This fully APAC-accredited online degree is a foundation for psychology and behavioural studies. It will give you a thorough scientific understanding of psychology, and the specialist theoretical and research skills you will need to move into further studies. It displaces assumptions, misconceptions or popular opinions and installs evidence-based knowledge. What drives us? What stifles us? Psychology aims to make sense of who we really are.

There are many ways you can gain entry into a degree through Western Sydney University Online. We accept any one of the following, provided you meet the minimum requirements relating to that criteria:

  • Cert III, Cert IV or diploma in any field
  • Completion or partial completion of tertiary study
  • Work experience, in any industry (assessed on a case by case basis)
  • Completion of Year 12 HSC (or equivalent), with a minimum required ATAR
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
  • PTE or IELTS for English proficiency may be required depending on where entry documentation was completed
Western Sydney University’s Inherent Requirements

As a student, you may need to pay a number of fees throughout your studies, depending on your degree and your enrolment status. These fees may include student contribution and tuition fees. If you’re eligible, you may also be able to obtain a HELP loan for payment of your student contribution or tuition fees. For more information, please visit the Student Contribution Bands page.

Fees for undergraduate International students are different than for local students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, NZ citizens, and holders of an Australian permanent resident humanitarian visa). For more information on fees for International students, please visit the International program fees page.

*Please note that fees are an estimation of annual fees and are subject to change.

Download Course Brochure

Download the Course Brochure for more information on this innovative course and student support.

Career Opportunities

To become a registered psychologist, you need to successfully complete an undergraduate course accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and an accredited fourth year, followed by two years of accredited postgraduate study or supervised practice in Psychology (or a mixture of a fifth year of psychology plus 1 year of supervised practice). The Bachelor of Psychological and Social Sciences Online course has received full accreditation by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Here are some of the job opportunities available to a Bachelor of Psychological and Social Sciences graduate:

Counsellor

$98,000* Annual Salary

Provide assistance to people struggling with emotional issues and offer advice and guidance.

Case Manager

4,600+ Job Opportunities

A Case Manager is responsible for helping their client to solve a complex series of problems or coordinate a series of moving parts to one big problem. Solving these problems will usually enhance the client’s quality of life.

Researcher

$95,000* Annual Salary

Coordinate projects to analyse trends and observations in the area of psychology.

Learn more about Social Science opportunities on SEEK

Subject Details

Course subjects are carefully selected and taught by industry experts and professionals to ensure a well-rounded education to all our students.

 

*Complete one minor consisting of four subjects within the social science discipline. You can choose Criminology and Criminal Justice or Child and Community.

*You can choose two electives to complete the course requirements.

 

Here is a closer look at the subjects that will be covered in your 3-year degree in Bachelor of Psychological and Social Sciences:

BEHV 1018
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Psychology: Human Behaviour

Psychology uses a set of scientific techniques and methods to explain and understand the causes of behaviour. You will get an introduction into a range of topics in psychology, including: the history of psychology, intelligence, social psychology, developmental psychology, indigenous and cultural psychology, personality as well as abnormal psychology.

BEHV 1016
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Psychology: Behavioural Science

Psychology uses a set of scientific techniques and methods to explain and understand the causes of behaviour. This subject focuses on physiological basis of behaviour, memory, language and thought. It also focuses on the sensation and perception, motivation, emotion, learning, and the research methods used to scientifically study behaviour. You will explore how psychology, as a profession, applies its knowledge to practical problems in human behaviour and provides a foundation for more advanced subjects for students continuing to further studies.

BEHV 2002
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Brain and Behaviour

This subject is an introduction to the biological and neuroscientific bases of human behaviour. You will learn about the chemistry of life, the molecular basis of life, the cell and some of the major organ systems of the human body with particular reference to the nervous, endocrine and sensory systems. The subject has a significant laboratory component which reinforces lecture and text material. You will be introduced to the biological and neuroscientific concepts necessary for a thorough understanding of areas of psychology such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, developmental psychology, human learning, and physiological psychology.

MATH 2006
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Experimental Design and Analysis

This subject focuses on the scientific method with a focus on experimental design and related data analysis. Whilst we have already dealt with some of the methods and techniques in passing in earlier subjects, we adopt a more complete approach here. Other features of the subject are: research design and methodology issues, statistical concepts and techniques, computer analysis of data and communicating research findings.

BEHV 2005
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Human Learning

Human Learning focuses on the experimental analysis of human and animal behaviour and focuses upon associative learning, including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning approaches. Definitions, assumptions, and basic phenomena associated with the study of learning are described and evaluated in terms of their ability to account for various aspects of human behaviour and experience.

BEHV 2010
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Perception

You will examine the fundamental principles underlying human perception and expand upon the sensation and perception content introduced in the foundational psychology subjects. After reviewing the biological basis of sensing and perceiving, we will explore the way this relatively raw information is processed and organised into the complex perceptions. These perceptions include the visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory and somatosensory systems. This constitutes the fundamental basis of our experience of the world.

HUMN1041
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Personality

Most of us probably use the term’ personality’ almost every day. Yet the conceptualisation and definition of personality are far from settled. This subject introduces the controversies and debates in the psychology of personality and the major theoretical and applied approaches to its measurement. Emphasis is placed on an understanding of personality research and its implications for the practice of psychology.

HUMN 1041
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

People, Place and Social Difference

This subject focuses on the local experiences of cultural and socio-economic difference. This includes applied social science approaches to inequality, diversity, community, sense of place, and environmental sustainability in the urban setting. There is an emphasis on spatial literacy for social scientists (fieldwork, mapping, data analysis and place description).

BEHV 1021
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

The Individual in Society

Humanistic, biological, cognitive, behavioural and sociocultural: The Individual in Society introduces the main theoretical perspectives for understanding individual behaviour. The subject then progresses to social psychology and explores self and identity, attitudes and attitude change, conformity and obedience. It also explores prejudice and discrimination, aggression, pro-social behaviour and attraction and close relationships.

CULT 1017
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Understanding Society

The aim of this subject is to introduce students to key theories and concepts for understanding social action, social policy, social institutions, social structure and social change. Developing skills in critical reading and sociological analysis, students will interpret and analyse subject content to acquire an understanding of contemporary societies.

CULT 1020
Recommended 8- 10 hours of study per week

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies introduces students to the methods and principles of community participation, capacity-building, community needs assessment, and resilience. Students will explore scholarly ideas and debates that provide insight into working with communities and acquire an understanding of how these are applied in a range of professional settings. Students will identify and analyse global, local, government and organisational aspects and interests in the development of their own and wider communities.

BEHV 3018
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Psychology and the Online World

The world has experienced an enormous explosion of activity that takes place in digital environments. This includes the Internet, intranets, gaming platforms and peer to peer phone communication (e.g. SMS). The effects of online communications are widely debated as concerns about hacking, trolling, bullying, scamming, online addiction are appearing on a daily basis.

BEHV 1010
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness, Resilience & Well-Being

We live in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world which places greater emotional demands on people and organisations. This subject introduces the Positive Psychology theory, research and the practical evidence-based techniques to enhance well-being and resilience in an increasingly VUCA world.

Positive psychology is an emerging field of academic study and practical application in personal and work settings which focuses on the creation of individual resilience, strengths and virtues, creativity and other indicators of human flourishing. Throughout this subject, students will be encouraged to actively engage and apply the positive psychology concepts taught within the course and to critically reflect on these experiences to bring about personal change.

BEHV 2020
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Introduction to Digital Mental Health

This subject introduces students to the emerging field of digital mental health. Digital mental health services, including telehealth, web-based counselling services and mobile phone apps, are increasingly being adopted in the practice of psychology and other health disciplines. This subject describes the uses of digital mental health for health promotion, prevention and treatment of mental illnesses.

Benefits and limitations of digital delivery of mental health services are described in the context of the broader public mental health system, with a focus on young people and smartphone apps. An assessment framework for mental health smartphone apps will be introduced to support students’ critical evaluation of the quality and integrity of smartphone apps. Students will also apply their understanding of digital mental health to a real-world project.

BEHV 1018
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Psychology: Human Behaviour

Psychology uses a set of scientific techniques and methods to explain and understand the causes of behaviour. You will get an introduction into a range of topics in psychology, including: the history of psychology, intelligence, social psychology, developmental psychology, indigenous and cultural psychology, personality as well as abnormal psychology.

BEHV 1016
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Psychology: Behavioural Science

Psychology uses a set of scientific techniques and methods to explain and understand the causes of behaviour. This subject focuses on physiological basis of behaviour, memory, language and thought. It also focuses on the sensation and perception, motivation, emotion, learning, and the research methods used to scientifically study behaviour. You will explore how psychology, as a profession, applies its knowledge to practical problems in human behaviour and provides a foundation for more advanced subjects for students continuing to further studies.

BEHV 2002
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Brain and Behaviour

This subject is an introduction to the biological and neuroscientific bases of human behaviour. You will learn about the chemistry of life, the molecular basis of life, the cell and some of the major organ systems of the human body with particular reference to the nervous, endocrine and sensory systems. The subject has a significant laboratory component which reinforces lecture and text material. You will be introduced to the biological and neuroscientific concepts necessary for a thorough understanding of areas of psychology such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, developmental psychology, human learning, and physiological psychology.

MATH 2006
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Experimental Design and Analysis

This subject focuses on the scientific method with a focus on experimental design and related data analysis. Whilst we have already dealt with some of the methods and techniques in passing in earlier subjects, we adopt a more complete approach here. Other features of the subject are: research design and methodology issues, statistical concepts and techniques, computer analysis of data and communicating research findings.

BEHV 2005
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Human Learning

Human Learning focuses on the experimental analysis of human and animal behaviour and focuses upon associative learning, including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning approaches. Definitions, assumptions, and basic phenomena associated with the study of learning are described and evaluated in terms of their ability to account for various aspects of human behaviour and experience.

BEHV 2010
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Perception

You will examine the fundamental principles underlying human perception and expand upon the sensation and perception content introduced in the foundational psychology subjects. After reviewing the biological basis of sensing and perceiving, we will explore the way this relatively raw information is processed and organised into the complex perceptions. These perceptions include the visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory and somatosensory systems. This constitutes the fundamental basis of our experience of the world.

HUMN1041
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Personality

Most of us probably use the term’ personality’ almost every day. Yet the conceptualisation and definition of personality are far from settled. This subject introduces the controversies and debates in the psychology of personality and the major theoretical and applied approaches to its measurement. Emphasis is placed on an understanding of personality research and its implications for the practice of psychology.

HUMN 1041
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

People, Place and Social Difference

This subject focuses on the local experiences of cultural and socio-economic difference. This includes applied social science approaches to inequality, diversity, community, sense of place, and environmental sustainability in the urban setting. There is an emphasis on spatial literacy for social scientists (fieldwork, mapping, data analysis and place description).

BEHV 1021
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

The Individual in Society

Humanistic, biological, cognitive, behavioural and sociocultural: The Individual in Society introduces the main theoretical perspectives for understanding individual behaviour. The subject then progresses to social psychology and explores self and identity, attitudes and attitude change, conformity and obedience. It also explores prejudice and discrimination, aggression, pro-social behaviour and attraction and close relationships.

CULT 1017
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Understanding Society

The aim of this subject is to introduce students to key theories and concepts for understanding social action, social policy, social institutions, social structure and social change. Developing skills in critical reading and sociological analysis, students will interpret and analyse subject content to acquire an understanding of contemporary societies.

CULT 1020
Recommended 8- 10 hours of study per week

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies introduces students to the methods and principles of community participation, capacity-building, community needs assessment, and resilience. Students will explore scholarly ideas and debates that provide insight into working with communities and acquire an understanding of how these are applied in a range of professional settings. Students will identify and analyse global, local, government and organisational aspects and interests in the development of their own and wider communities.

BEHV 3018
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Psychology and the Online World

The world has experienced an enormous explosion of activity that takes place in digital environments. This includes the Internet, intranets, gaming platforms and peer to peer phone communication (e.g. SMS). The effects of online communications are widely debated as concerns about hacking, trolling, bullying, scamming, online addiction are appearing on a daily basis.

BEHV 1010
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness, Resilience & Well-Being

We live in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world which places greater emotional demands on people and organisations. This subject introduces the Positive Psychology theory, research and the practical evidence-based techniques to enhance well-being and resilience in an increasingly VUCA world.

Positive psychology is an emerging field of academic study and practical application in personal and work settings which focuses on the creation of individual resilience, strengths and virtues, creativity and other indicators of human flourishing. Throughout this subject, students will be encouraged to actively engage and apply the positive psychology concepts taught within the course and to critically reflect on these experiences to bring about personal change.

BEHV 2020
Recommended 8-10 hours of study per week

Introduction to Digital Mental Health

This subject introduces students to the emerging field of digital mental health. Digital mental health services, including telehealth, web-based counselling services and mobile phone apps, are increasingly being adopted in the practice of psychology and other health disciplines. This subject describes the uses of digital mental health for health promotion, prevention and treatment of mental illnesses.

Benefits and limitations of digital delivery of mental health services are described in the context of the broader public mental health system, with a focus on young people and smartphone apps. An assessment framework for mental health smartphone apps will be introduced to support students’ critical evaluation of the quality and integrity of smartphone apps. Students will also apply their understanding of digital mental health to a real-world project.

Western Sydney University Online invites you to study in an advanced and flexible digital environment. Our online program allows you to study on your time, when it works for you, your work, family and life commitments. 

Student Support

We are here to support you when you need it. Our dedicated support team are available over the phone or online seven days a week to answer all your questions. From technical support through to academic questions, we have the tools and people to make your study journey achievable and enjoyable.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

One of the main advantages of studying online is not having to be logged on at set times. You can log into your learning materials when it suits you and participate asynchronously to discussion boards, complete readings or any other tasks required. Every now and then, your Online Learning Advisor will facilitate a ‘webinar’ and whilst we recommend you attend, it is not mandatory. The sessions are typically recorded for you to view at your convenience.

Whilst the content and learning outcomes of your course is the same as the on-campus option, your course has been purpose built for online learners to acknowledge the different needs and challenges for students studying virtually.

Of course. Whether you study on-campus or online, your learning outcomes and qualification are the same. Even to the point of when you graduate, you will receive the same testamur. A testamur is your graduation certificate and is does not specify your mode of study. Regardless of whether you study online or on-campus you will still be getting the same qualification from an internationally ranked university.

At Western Sydney University Online, we are dedicated to helping our students. Our Student Advisors are on hand to make your transition to university as smooth as possible. They are available via phone, email 7 days a week, 8am to 9pm on weekdays and 10am-6pm on weekends. Once you are in your online classroom, your Online Learning Advisors will be there to guide your learning and there is plenty of assessment support services at your fingertips throughout your studies.

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Are you ready to apply? Simply fill out the form below and a Course Consultant will be in touch to guide you through your application over the phone.

 

If you’re not ready to apply or want to know more before you complete your application, you can request more information by calling us on 1300 050 928.