Psychological Science
This course information is for local students only
Year
2012
Award
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Length
3 years
Campuses
Melbourne, Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga
Course description
Graduating with a Bachelor of Psychological Science from La Trobe opens up many opportunities to work in a wide range of fields. Students are often surprised by how many career choices they have besides practising as a clinical psychologist. This course provides the foundation for a fulfilling career in psychology and other related disciplines. Students gain a fundamental understanding of people and their behaviour.
The La Trobe University Psychological Science degree has been comprehensively redesigned, offering more psychology-based subjects than most other universities. The course has enough flexibility so that students may elect to combine their study of psychology with up to eleven subjects drawn from other disciplines, including related biological or sociological subjects, or even more varied electives from foreign languages or business.
Students have access to fully-equipped neuroscience laboratories and Australia's first Autism Research Centre, as well as expert staff involved in teaching students at every year level. Professor Simon Crowe, for example, is the current president of the Australian Psychological Society and also the first-year psychology coordinator at La Trobe.
After completing the three year degree, graduates are able to apply their knowledge and skills to a wide range of careers in management, public service, marketing and human resources. Students aiming to practise as an accredited clinical psychologist are required to continue their studies and complete an Honours year and a postgraduate degree or work-based internship. These options are also available from the La Trobe University School of Psychological Science.
Course structure
The course covers diverse topics, including cognition, development, social psychology, abnormal and health psychology, child and family psychology, behavioural neuroscience, psychological research methods, psychological interventions and ethics, and psychological assessment. Students can add to core studies by choosing from a wide range of electives in other sciences, arts, business and legal studies.
Contact hours
Between 12 to 20 hours a week (average) in first year, depending upon the electives selected.
Subject details
Major areas of study
Psychology, biological sciences, sociology, philosophy, linguistics, mathematics, statistics, legal studies, politics, Asian studies, business studies, behavioural science, psychology, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology.
Overseas study opportunities
Overseas study opportunities are available.
Please see
www.latrobe.edu.au/international/exchange
for more information
Fee type
Fees (Fee-Help available)
Annual (or Total) Tuition Fee (AUD)
23 360
Scholarships
Applicants who are Australian citizens or who hold permanent humanitarian visas are eligible for a range of University-wide scholarships, including Commonwealth Scholarships. For details please see http://www.latrobe.edu.au/scholarships/future-undergraduatesSelection
Successful completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 5B certificate at undergraduate (EFS5 (60%) UG) level conducted by La Trobe Melbourne; for more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with no individual band score less than 6.0; or
TOEFL Paper-based Test: a minimum score of 550 with a score of 5 or better in the Test of Written English; or
TOEFL Computer-based Test: a minimum score of 213 with a score of 5 in essay writing; or
TOEFL Internet-based Test: a minimum score of 80 with no individual score less than 20; or
Satisfactory completion of an English language subject at Year 12 or equivalent level. This must have been completed in the last two years and at an academic level acceptable to the University; or
Approved equivalent.
Academic entry requirements
LTM Foundation Studies - 73
Aust. Yr 12 (ATAR) 2011 (indicative only) - 70.65; 58.95 Bendigo; 60.35 Albury-Wodonga.
International Baccalaureate - 25
GCE A Levels - 8
Hong Kong A Levels - 7
HKDSE - 8,5
Sri Lankan A Levels - BCC
STPM - 9
MICSS (UEC) - 4A 2B
Canada Secondary School (or CPU) - 73
Norway Upper Secondary Certificate - 3.7
Sweden Slutbetyg - G/VG
All Indian Sen SC (Best 5 Subjects) - 70
Vietnam (Year 12) - 8.5
Thailand (Matayoma 6) - GPA 2.8
GAC Cert. IV - GPA 2.6
GAOKAO - see: the website
If you do not meet these entry requirements you might be interested in La Trobe's Foundation Studies and Diploma Programs, which provide an alternative pathway to La Trobe's undergraduate program. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
Semester starts
Semester 1 and 2 (February and July)
Additional information
Semester 2 (July) entry is subject to the availability of places.
Career opportunities
Options include teaching (after completing a Graduate Diploma of Education); research in clinics, psychiatric hospitals, developmental (special) schools and other government or not-for-profit organisations; and guidance or counselling for educational, vocational or personal problems. Work is also available in human resources management, market research, and the public sector. After appropriate fourth-year and postgraduate training, graduates can work in clinical or health psychology, involving diagnosis and therapy.
Professional recognition
In Australia, professional standards in psychology are set by the Psychology Board of Australia that registers psychologists, and by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) of which membership provides professional recognition. Graduates must complete a suitable fourth-year program, such as Honours, to qualify for associate membership of the APS.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science three-year sequence is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) for further education purposes, and graduates are eligible to apply for enrolment into Honours. Eligibility for membership of the APS and for registration as a psychologist require at least two more years of appropriate study beyond fourth-year, such as the completion of a Master's or Doctorate in psychology.