Course overview

Study the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and gain insight into why people think, feel and behave the way they do. At the same time, you will also open the door to a world of opportunity through your study in the arts.

Learn the perfect mix of skills sought by employers by studying one degree, with exposure to two distinct areas of interest. Combining your passions in psychology and the arts can broaden your career options and make you more employable once you graduate.

The added benefit of an arts degree at Deakin is the transferable skills you build through experiential learning. Learn to work in teams during industry placements, develop critical analysis through work-integrated learning, and build valuable life skills through international experiences*. Combine this with in-depth study in psychology as a scientific discipline and learn about human behaviour and personality.

Why not study psychology your way, with more flexibility and diverse opportunities?
 

You will explore diverse areas of psychology including:

• behavioural and clinical neuroscience
• child and adolescent psychology
• cognitive psychology
• forensic psychology
• human social behaviour

Our School of Psychology is one of the largest in Victoria. It has strong partnerships with industry, including collaborative activities with government agencies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities.

These partnerships ensure that your degree remains relevant to industry and workforce needs. You will be in high demand by employers who want graduates that are ready to face problems with confidence.

You will get the chance to build real-world experience by electing to undertake the Psychology at Work (Internship) unit in your final year of study. This gives you 140-hours of practical industry placement, strengthening your employment prospects. The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) is also recognised for registration purposes by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

As a student in the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), you will also choose an area of study in the arts to build your future-focused degree, choose from disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, communication, languages, and the creative arts.

With specialist knowledge in your chosen arts discipline, you will learn how to apply critical, creative and strategic thinking to real-world issues. You will also develop the essential skills in communication, critical thinking and problem solving that employers are looking for.

If you are intending to become a psychologist, this course is a pathway to a fourth year level of study (honours or graduate diploma level). After completing a fourth year of study, you will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist. Students wishing to become fully registered psychologists can then apply to continue their study by undertaking one of the following:

• Master of Psychology (Clinical)
• Master of Psychology (Organisational)
• Master of Professional Psychology
• Doctor of Psychology (Clinical).

Course structure

To qualify for the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a student must successfully complete 24 credit points of study including:

• 10 credit points of Psychology units including the approved 10-credit-point Psychology major sequence
• 10 credit points of Arts units including an approved Arts major sequence of at least 8 credit points.
• 4 electives credit points from units offered by either Faculty or by another Faculty
• no more than 10 credit points at Level 1
• a minimum 6 credit points at level 3 or above

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Additional course information

The faculty offers two units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and AIX117 Professional Writing for Work which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Work experience

Students have the opportunity to undertake preparation for work units and/or internship units as electives in this course through either the Faculty of Arts and Education or the School of Psychology.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Recognition of prior learning

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer. Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

Career outcomes

As a Deakin Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) graduate you will develop some of the most important skills a student can gain at university. Through your study in the arts, you will build valuable and transferable career skills, making you highly employable within many industries. The range of disciplines on offer also lets you follow your passion and develop the specialist skills to pursue the career you want. You will be able to take your degree into a range of careers, including:

• administration
• advertising
• business
• communications
• community organisations
• criminal justice
• education
• galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM)
• government
• human rights
• journalism
• management consulting
• media
• not-for-profits
• performing and visual arts
• photography
• policing
• policy development
• politics
• public relations
• publishing
• research
• tourism.

Following the completion of your major in psychology, taking the next step towards becoming a psychologist involves applying for an honours year (e.g. Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)). Once completed, you can then apply for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).

If your passion isn’t to complete further study to become a registered psychologist, there are still many diverse career options available, including:

• child protection
• counselling
• family support
• human services
• marketing
• not for profit aid
• public health
• social work

If you choose to pursue full registration as a psychologist, you may find employment in a variety of roles, including:

• clinical psychologist
• cognitive neuroscientist
• counsellor
• criminal psychologist
• educational and developmental psychologist
• family therapist
• forensic psychologist
• health and community psychologist
• organisational psychologist
• rehabilitation counsellor
• sport and exercise psychologist
• youth psychologist

These positions can be found in:

• private clinics and practices
• public and private hospitals
• corporate organisations
• schools and universities
• government departments and agencies
• sporting clubs and institutes
• social research organisations

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degree at Deakin meets the requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) translating into excellent job and career opportunities for our graduates. Upon graduation of this degree, you'll have gained a three-year undergraduate psychology sequence that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and recognised for registration purposes by the PBA, enabling you to undertake additional study in pursuit of provisional registration.