Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)/Bachelor of Justice

Overview

• New in 2012, this double degree integrates two highly sought after areas.
• Explore topics including: crimes of violence, environmental criminology, Indigenous justice, official corruption, transnational crime and forensic psychology.
• Learn how to understand human behaviours, and apply your skills in challenging situations where knowledge of the human response is essential.
• Combine justice, criminology, policing and psychology in one package. Major in either criminology or policing.
• Take the first step towards a career as a registered psychologist.

Details

Why choose this course?

A double degree in justice and psychology offers you greater flexibility in your career. Combining skills in these two complementary areas, you’ll be able to apply psychological principles to the field of justice.

The course provides a broad foundation in the science of psychology and its application. You’ll develop:

• an ability to understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organisational issues
• high-level communication and social research skills that are valuable in a wide range of professions.

You’ll prepare for the workplace by exploring the most recent theory and practice of social justice, and developing relevant problem-solving, analytical and applied computer skills.

You’ll complete core studies in:

• social, developmental, biological, cognitive, and abnormal psychology
• research methods
• psychological assessment.

You can also choose electives from specialist areas in:

• alcohol and drugs
• family therapy and counselling
• psychology and gender
• traffic psychology.

Final-year students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a volunteer community placement.

Career outcomes

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) provides the first step towards a career as a registered psychologist and an excellent foundation for careers in a wide range of related areas.

Our psychology graduates have analytical, research and interpersonal skills that equip them for many professional areas, including:

• education
• human resources
• market research
• organisational development
• policing
• health
• human services and counselling.

To pursue a career as a registered psychologist, you must complete further study to gain registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.

The Bachelor of Justice will equip you for a wide variety of employment in criminal justice and related security fields.

Past graduates have developed successful careers in:

• state and federal law enforcement
• intelligence
• correctional services
• private security
• defence services and customs
• criminology
• advocacy (including women’s, youth and children’s advocacy)
• human rights and anti-discrimination
• social and justice policy development for government and non-government organisations.

The Bachelor of Justice is highly regarded by the Australian Federal Police, Queensland Police Service and all law enforcement agencies. Many of our justice graduates gain employment in these services.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) component of the program includes a 3-year undergraduate psychology sequence completed across 4 years of study. This study is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

To become a psychologist, you must complete further study to gain registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.

When you complete this double degree, you can apply for a fourth year program in psychology (e.g. Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours Psychology) or Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology) to gain provisional registration as a psychologist. You must then complete  at least two years of further study, which may comprise the completion of an appropriate APAC-accredited Masters degree and/or supervised work experience.

At any point during your study, you can become a student member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Units

Entry requirements

Minimum academic requirements

Did you complete secondary school in Australia?

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

These scholarships are available for this course:

View all scholarships