UQ offers new course for budding psychologists

Are you fascinated by people's behaviour and in the workings of the human mind?

Then you may be interested in a new degree which the University of Queensland will offer from next year.

Head of the School of Psychology Professor Sue Spence said the new degree, the bachelor of psychological science, allowed another study option for people interested in careers in this area.

'The University of Queensland offers three choices to prospective psychologists, to cater for different interests,' she said.

'People can now study either of two, three-year courses, the bachelor of arts (psychology), or a bachelor of science (psychology), or the new four-year bachelor of psychological science.'

- Bachelor of psychological science (BPsySci). People wishing to become psychologists are required to achieve a BPsySci, and either a professional masters or PhD in psychology, or two years supervised experience as a psychologist. This degree covers the same core areas of psychology as the BA (psychology) and BSc (psychology), as well as some additional psychology subjects and a choice of electives. People choosing to apply for the BPsySci (QTAC Code 757001) as their first preference should make their second preference either BSc (QTAC Code 731001), or BA (QTAC Code 707001). From the Year 2000, there is also the possibility of year two entry into the bachelor of psychological science for students who have completed psychology subjects as part of their first year of study at university.

- Bachelor of arts (psychology). Using this option to prepare for a career as a psychologist, students complete specified psychology subjects for the BA (psychology) - equivalent to a double major in psychology - plus an additional honours year, followed by either a professional masters or PhD in psychology, or two years supervised experience as a psychologist. Studying psychology through a bachelor of arts (QTAC code 707001) allows flexibility to further specialise in a number of different areas. Along with a double major in psychology, students may also wish to complete the equivalent of a single major in an area such as criminology and criminal justice studies, business studies, sociology, communication studies, or cognitive science. Students can also combine a bachelor of arts degree with any of the wide range of dual degrees available at the University of Queensland.

- Bachelor of science (psychology). Students choosing the BSc option to become a psychologist can complete the specified psychology subjects for the BSc (psychology) - equivalent to a specialisation in psychology - then an additional honours year, followed by either a professional masters or PhD in psychology, or two years' supervised experience as a psychologist. Studying psychology through a bachelor of science (QTAC code 731001) allows flexibility to further specialise in a number of different areas. Along with the psychology specialisation, students may also wish to complete subjects including cognitive science, neuroscience, physiology or biochemistry or combine the bachelor of science degree with any of the dual degrees available.

For further information on any of the psychology degrees, contact telephone 07 3365 4919. Academic adviser Astrid Sirowatka (telephone 07 3365 6426, email: astrid@psy.uq.edu.au) is also available to discuss course options.