DISCIPLINES

2013 Psychology - KHA

Psychology is a diverse discipline concerned with the scientific study of human experience and behaviour. It considers explanations and causes of behaviour and examines the modification of behaviour as a result of experience and information received from the environment. Psychologists study both normal and abnormal behaviour and the mental processes of individuals from infancy to old age.

In the first year of undergraduate study, students are introduced to the core areas in the discipline including developmental, social, physiological and clinical psychology, personality, sensation and perception, learning, memory and cognition, research and methodology, and individual differences. Practical work at introductory level provides illustrative examples of research in psychology and introduces students more generally to scientific methodology in psychology. At intermediate and advanced level, more advanced study in the core areas of psychology is provided as well as applied topics, such as educational, health, forensic, environmental and organisational psychology. Practical work is an important component of the program providing students with a sound knowledge of research design and data analysis in the context of psychological investigations.

Graduates with a major in psychology are employed in areas such as health and human services, social services and community welfare, correctional services, education, employment and training, marketing and management. Psychology graduates can also choose to undertake further studies either in psychology, with a view to postgraduate professional training or a research career, or in a related field such as teaching, counselling, management or criminology.

Psychology can be studied within a range of degree programs. A Psychology major is generally studied within an Arts or Science degree, or the specialist degrees in Behavioural Science and Psychology, but many students enrolled in degree programs such as Business, Computing, Education, Fine Art, Health Science, Medical Research, Social Science and Social Science (Police Studies) also choose to study Psychology as a major, minor or elective subject.

Students planning a career in psychology need to complete an accredited 3-year sequence of study in psychology, followed by an accredited fourth year program, to be able to progress to postgraduate training in professional or research psychology. An accredited sequence can be studied within the general degree programs for Arts, Science and Business, as well as the specialist degrees in Behavioural Science and Psychology. A four-year accredited program in Psychology is available in both Hobart and Launceston. Students are advised to seek advice from staff in the School of Psychology or a relevant Faculty Officer prior to enrolment.

Career outcomes

The skills and knowledge gained by studying psychology - for example, dealing with people, investigating, analysing and objective reporting, are relevant to almost all fields of employment. Psychology graduates find employment in counselling, educational guidance, clinical psychology, defence forces, forensic psychology, child and adolescent services, disability services, vocational and psychological rehabilitation, occupational psychology, sports psychology and research.

Professional associations

Undergraduate and postgraduate psychology courses offered by the School of Psychology are accredited by the Australian Psychological Society. For those wishing to work as a psychologist, a four-year degree (BPsych, BBehavSc, BA or BSc with Honours) followed by two years of postgraduate training or appropriate supervised experience are required for registration under The Psychologists Registration Act of Tasmania. Membership of the Australian Psychological Society, however, requires a four-year degree followed by at least a two year postgraduate degree.

Theme area

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour, human experience and mental processes, and the professional application of that knowledge to help individuals and groups in clinical settings, in education, in employment and in the community. Programs of study in psychology fit within the Population and Health and Community Place and Change theme areas.

Undergraduate study

An accredited 3-year sequence in psychology is available through the following degree programs:

• Arts - BA or BA/LLB or BA/BBus
• Science - BSc or BA/BSc
• Behavioural Science - BBehavSc

The BBehavSc is a new specialist three-year degree program with a broad vocational orientation, designed to equip graduates with knowledge and skills relevant to a range of careers. It allows students to complete a major or minor in a related discipline, eg, neuroscience, law, human movement, sociology, criminology and management, in conjunction with their psychology major. For example, a student interested in working in the area of substance abuse could include a major or minor in health science in conjunction with their psychology major. Students can also choose to complete their second major in behavioural science or behavioural neuroscience. The BBehavSc provides preparation for fourth year study in psychology (honours) and other areas such as counselling, criminology and corrections, health management, marketing, rehabilitation counselling, and social work.

An accredited 4-year sequence in psychology is available only through the Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych), an integrated four-year specialist degree. BPsych students complete two majors, one in psychology and one in either behavioural science or behavioural neuroscience, and undertake a minor and elective study in areas that are closely linked to the discipline and profession of psychology, eg, neuroscience, law, human physiology, sociology, criminology and management. The BPsych provides a thorough coverage of core psychology topics and applied areas as an introduction to professional specialisations in clinical, health, educational, organisational and forensic psychology, neuroscience and research. There is a limited quota of places for entry to the first year of the BPsych and applications are ranked on the basis of academic merit, based on the ITI score. Further intakes at intermediate and at advanced levels are also based on academic merit. The number of places in the program is limited to a maximum of 30 at each level.

(a) Psychology major

Available in general degrees, eg, BA, BSc, BBus, combined degrees such as BA/LLB, and specialist degrees BBehavSc and BPsych. The core Psychology major comprises:

To complete an accredited 3-year sequence in psychology, students need to complete at least four additional KHA units from the Behavioural Science major: 25% at introductory level and 25% at intermediate level. The accredited 3-year psychology sequence comprises:

Students in general degrees, such as the BA and BSc, can also choose to undertake additional psychology units as student electives. The number of student electives permitted will depend on the type of degree program.

(b) Behavioural Science major

Available in the specialist BBehavSc and BPsych degrees. [Note: concurrent enrolment in the core Psychology major is required.] A Behavioural Science major comprises:

25% at introductory level	KHA113 and KHA114
25% at intermediate level	( KHA208 and KHA258) or ( KHA255 and KHA262)
50% at advanced level	Four advanced level KHA units

(b) Behavioural Neuroscience major

Available in the specialist BBehavSc and BPsych degrees, on the Hobart campus only. [Note: requires concurrent enrolment in the core Psychology major and completion of a minor in Human Physiology.] A Behavioural Neuroscience major comprises:

25% at introductory level	KHA113 and KHA114
25% at intermediate level	( KHA208 and KHA258)
50% at advanced level	KHA303, CHP311, CHP312 and ( KHA314 or KHA324)

(b) Behavioural Studies major

Available only in the BA. Intending students should note that a Behavioural Studies major is not an accredited psychology major and graduates will not be eligible for progression to fourth year study in psychology. A major in Behavioural Studies requires completion of the following units:

25% at introductory level	KHA111 and KHA112
25% at intermediate level	KHA201 plus one 12.5% intermediate level KHA unit
50% at advanced level	Four advanced level KHA units

Graduate Diploma in Science

Graduates from other disciplines wishing to undertake undergraduate studies in Psychology may do so through the Graduate Diploma of Science [S6D]. This is a two-year part-time course which enables progression to fourth year studies in Psychology. Applicants will normally be expected to have successfully completed two introductory level psychology units before commencing this course.

Fourth year study

Graduates with a major in psychology may apply to enter a fourth year program in psychology, counselling or rehabilitation counselling. Psychology Honours is an accredited fourth year program in Psychology which provides training in research, advanced theoretical topics and an introduction to professional training. Further details for Psychology Honours, including entry requirements, are provided in the unit details for KHA402 Psychology 4 (Honours).

The integrated program in Counselling and Rehabilitation Counselling provides alternative applied training that equips students with the knowledge and skills required for employment in a broad range of counselling or rehabilitation counselling roles. These skill-based courses are HECS based and are offered at the graduate certificate, graduate diploma and masters level.

Postgraduate study

Postgraduate study is offered at masters or doctoral level in the professional training program in clinical psychology or in research higher degrees.

• Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)