Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services), Bachelor of Psychology

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
4 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
MBSP

SATAC Code
444241 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 67.00 (for 2024)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 67.00 (for 2025)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): DIP
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The double degree, Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services), Bachelor of Psychological Science qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, political, behavioural and social sciences in a range of human service contexts to undertake professional work.

The double degree also provides a foundational pathway to further learning including Honours degree programs in related fields.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the double degree, Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services), Bachelor of Psychological Science will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology and human service practice, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts of psychology, social policy and management of effective service delivery at both the individual and project level.

The students will complete 144 units of study comprising 12 courses in psychology (accredited sequence by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council), 16 core courses in human services and an elective.

From 4 August 2025, the University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students. Study at Adelaide University.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Human Service Provision	WELF 1014	4.5
Child Development	WELF 1020	4.5
Psychology 1A	BEHL 1003	4.5
Communication Skills in Social Work and Human Services	WELF 1019	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Group Work	BEHL 2009	4.5
Governance and Citizenship in Australia	POLI 1008	4.5
Psychology 1B	BEHL 1004	4.5
Introductory Research Methods	BEHL 2005	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Australian Social Policy	POLI 1012	4.5
The Social World	SOCU 1003	4.5
Developmental Psychology	BEHL 3011	4.5
Cognitive Psychology	BEHL 3002	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Working with Community	WELF 2010	4.5
Biological and Learning Psychology	BEHL 2012	4.5
Social and Community Psychology	BEHL 2006	4.5
Human Service Workers and the Law	JUST 2005	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Case Management	WELF 3015	4.5
Human Service Intervention	WELF 2012	4.5
Interviewing Skills in Social Work and Human Services	WELF 2020	4.5
Personality Psychology	BEHL 3024	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Human Service Project Management	WELF 2014	4.5
Aboriginal Australians and the Human Services	WELF 2015	4.5
Policy Practice	POLI 2027	4.5
Clinical and Abnormal Psychology	BEHL 3004	4.5
FOURTH YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Human Service Field Placement A	WELF 3022	9		Rule(s): 1,2
Specialist Psychology Course 1		4.5	Note(s): 2	Rule(s): 3
Specialist Psychology Course 2		4.5	Note(s): 2	Rule(s): 3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Human Service Field Placement B	WELF 3014	9		Rule(s): 1,2
Elective		4.5
Specialist Psychology Course 3		4.5	Note(s): 2	Rule(s): 3

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
SPECIALIST PSYCHOLOGY COURSES
Health Psychology	BEHL 3012	4.5
Advanced Research Methods	BEHL 3005	4.5
Work and Organisational Psychology	BEHL 3008	4.5
Health, Exercise and Sport Psychology	HLTH 3014	4.5
Cognitive Neuroscience	BEHL 3021	4.5
Language, Context and Social Behaviour	BEHL 3023	4.5
Conservation Psychology	BEHL 3022	4.5
Psychology Research Experience	BEHL 3028	4.5
Psychophysiology of Sleep	BEHL 3029	4.5
Exploring the History and Foundations of Psychology	BEHL 3037	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Field Education consists of 560 hours of supervised placement to be undertaken in two blocks of 280 hours during the fourth year and after completion of all third year courses. Students are advised that they will be required to attend field education placements generally but not exclusively during normal working hours in both teaching and non-teaching weeks, for between 2 and 5 days per week.

2. Students are required to undertake Criminal History Checks through the Department of Human Services (DHS) for working with Children, in the Aged Care Sector and in Disability Services; obtain a SAPOL National Police Record Check; completed a one-day Safe Environments for Children and Young People course; and the University's online module, Undertaking a Safe Student Placement. Some placements may also require students to hold a current driver's licence, a recognised First Aid Certificate or other requirements as requested by a specific placement provider.

3. Students planning to apply for an Honours in Psychology year, either at UniSA or at another Australian university, must select and successfully complete the Specialist Psychology Course, BEHL 3005 Advanced Research Methods. Entry to the honours year is based on academic merit and subject to quota.

4. Students who qualify for credit must complete at least 36 units from each of the contributing degrees (ie a total of at least 72 units).

Notes

1. The program is designed to graduate professional human service workers who can function effectively in demanding environments. It satisfies professional and employer requirements through its content and its assessment processes. Students are advised that the program does require consistent participation in a diverse range of potentially challenging classroom, assessment and field activities.

2. Specialist Psychology Courses must be selected from the listed options and are offered subject to student demand and staff availability. See the program specific electives list for options.

3. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the one year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program at UniSA.

4. The Justice & Society Study Tour course can be chosen in place of an elective course as part of this program. Additional fees apply for the study tour component of this course, and enrolment is conditional upon successful application in a competitive Expression of Interest process as well as successful completion of 36 units.