Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour, human experience and mental processes. It considers explanations and causes of behaviour and applies that knowledge to help individuals and groups in clinical settings, education, employment and the community.
With further postgraduate study students can aim to be Psychologists. Psychologists study both normal and abnormal behaviour and the mental processes of individuals from early childhood to old age.
The knowledge and skills gained through studying psychology provide a sound basis for careers in areas where a good understanding of human behaviour, sound communication and interpersonal skills, and well-developed research and analytical abilities are vital. Graduates with a psychology major find employment in the public sector and in business, in areas such as: health and human services; education (after a completing a teaching qualification); community welfare; employment and training; management and marketing. Employment opportunities for graduates with fourth-year and postgraduate training in psychology include: clinical psychology; child and adolescent services; sport psychology; rehabilitation services; educational guidance; disability services; organisational psychology; the defence forces; forensic services.
Membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) requires a four-year accredited degree followed by at least a two-year postgraduate degree. To register as a psychologist in Tasmania, either a four-year accredited degree followed by appropriate supervised experience, or two years of postgraduate training is required. Undergraduate, honours and postgraduate programs offered by the School of Psychology are accredited by the APS.
The BBehavSc is a specialist three-year program with a broad vocational orientation. The program has been designed to equip graduates with knowledge and skills relevant to their intended careers by providing an opportunity to undertake a major and/or minor in relevant disciplines in conjunction with their psychology major. Two majors are completed in the BBehavSc, one in psychology and one in a related discipline, eg, human resource management, criminology, health science.
This is an integrated four-year full-time or eight-year part-time course offered by the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology and is available at Hobart and Launceston. Only the first year of the program will be offered on the Cradle Coast Campus (Burnie).
This 3-year (minimum) full-time or part-time course is offered by the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology and is available at Hobart and Launceston. The main intake to the Bachelor of Science is February, however a mid-year intake in July is also available. Students interested in Psychology, may like to consider studying a major or minor in Psychology.
(For research trained degrees, see the Research section.)
This 1 year full-time, 2 year part-time (maximum) course is available at Hobart and, subject to available supervision, at Launceston. It aims to provide advanced training in the major area of the student's pass degree, opportunity for training in research, to prepare candidates for further research study (eg MSc and PhD) and employment in research organisations, and an in-depth knowledge in a single area of science.
Students who complete Year 3 with sufficient merit will be transferred to S4I at the beginning of Year 4.
Bachelor of Psychology students may be awarded a degree with Honours as determined by their performance in the research component of the course and the 300 and 400-level core pschology units.
The Graduate Diploma in Science allows students to obtain a science major in an area outside their specialisation, such as Plant Science. Applications are open to graduates from all disciplines provided that the prerequisites for the field of specialisation are met, or other evidence of fitness to undertake the work is provided.
The Graduate Diploma of Science with Honours allows graduates to obtain the necessary science major to pursue higher degrees in Science. It offers advances training in the area chosen with a research Honours year, such as Psychology.
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling is a skill based course which provides opportunities for graduates and people working in counselling roles to gain a qualification in counselling, together with preparation for further study in Counselling and Rehabilitation Counselling. It is a full fee-paying course offered on the Hobart and Launceston campuses on a part-time study basis and comprises four 12.5% units.
The Graduate Diploma in Counselling provides opportunities for graduates with a background in psychology or another area of human services, to undertake postgraduate study in counselling. It is a full fee-paying course offered on a full-time or part-time study basis and comprises eight 12.5% units, four of which are offered on both Hobart and Launceston campuses, four on the Hobart campus only.
The Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling provides opportunities for graduates with a background in psychology or another area of human services, to undertake postgraduate study in rehabilitation counselling. It is a full fee-paying course offered on a full-time or part-time study basis and comprises eight 12.5% units, four of which are offered on both Hobart and Launceston campuses, four on the Hobart campus only.
The Master of Counselling provides opportunities for graduates with a background in psychology or another area of human services to undertake advanced level training in counselling. It is a full fee-paying course offered on a full-time or part-time study basis. Of the fifteen units undertaken, seven are available on the Hobart campus only.
The Master of Psychology course (min 2 yrs, max 4 yrs) is offered on the Hobart campus.
The Master of Rehabilitation Counselling provides opportunities for graduates with a background in psychology or another area of human services to undertake advanced level training in rehabilitation counselling. It is a full fee-paying course offered on a full-time or part-time study basis. Of the fifteen units undertaken, seven are available on the Hobart campus only.