with STEM™ CAREERS JOB KIT
Psychologist
Make a difference with a career studying the human mind
Dreaming becomingof a psychologist?
Psychology is the study of the human mind and behaviour. So as a psychology graduate, you’ll have a huge range of qualities and skills sought by a wide range of industries.
1. MAKE A DIFFERENCE
ACU Psychology students learn the skills and knowledge to make a tangible impact on people and communities as part of their course.
2. ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY
Before they graduate, ACU students have the opportunity to work and make a difference in community by applying their learned skills and knowledge.
3. GAIN EXCELLENT RESEARCH SKILLS
At ACU, every psych graduate can frame research questions, undertake literature searches, analyse studies, test hypotheses and choose an appropriate research methodology. In short, they are research savvy.
4. DEVELOP WITH GREAT COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
ACU Graduates must be able to write research reports and essays, and show they can contribute to a group discussion, take part in debates, and deliver presentations.
5. TEAMWORK IS YOUR THING
ACU Psychology graduates are team players all the way. Teams need players who can listen, self-reflect, understand, and consider ideas and views from other people.
6. YOU’LL HAVE GREAT ANALYTICAL SKILLS
ACU Psychology graduates are critical thinkers. Being able to think clearly, ethically, and critically is an invaluable skill in the workplace.
7. YOUR COPING SKILLS WILL BE FIRST RATE
ACU Psychology graduates are great at implementing strategies for coping with life’s challenges. They learn about strategies that can be used to promote wellbeing and manage problems such as anxiety, depression, and family relationships.
8. YOU’LL BE A NATURAL PROBLEM SOLVER
Problem solving is all about recognising what is wrong, figuring out the solution, implementing that solution and following through. ACU Psychology graduates have spent their entire degree applying these processes.
9. HAVE GREAT MOTIVATIONAL SKILLS
Psychological principles, when applied in organisations, help managers deal with staff fairly, make jobs interesting and satisfying, and motivate employees to higher levels of productivity.
10. FLEXIBILITY IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME
ACU Psychology graduates know how to go with the flow and are used to dealing with varying personalities and styles of learning.
Keen to learn the above skills? ACU offers a range of APAC-accredited bachelor degrees in psychology, which are the first step to becoming a registered psychologist.
Mind mentor
As a psychologist you are at the frontline of promoting health and wellbeing in the community, encouraging healthy ways of dealing with stressful situations and often alleviating bigger problems that may come later when people don’t get the help they need.
I came to psychology initially through a science degree, and I’m really motivated by understanding how people tick and how connected our mental health is to other aspects of our health and lives.
Working in psychology means you can have a real impact on people at all stages of life. For me it has meant working with children with learning and behaviour difficulties, work that led to my PhD and later career focus on research.
A qualification in psychology opens the door to working in a whole range of different areas.
As a psychologist you could be seeing people in a hospital, school, corporation or private practice. But you can also apply psychology skills in other fields like human resources, disability, market research or even marketing.
While many of our students do a fourth year of study in order to become registered psychologists, others take different pathways that draw on their psychology training. That’s why we offer double degrees in psychology and nutrition science, or psychology and criminology, for example.
Part of studying psychology means engaging in critical thinking and evidence-based learning, both of which are attractive to employers, particularly where there’s a research component to the work they do.
Our undergraduate program also includes a community placement - an experience that really helps students work out where they’d like to take their psychology career.
So if you’re keen to help people and like the idea of always learning new things, there will be a psychology career for you.
Rachel Dryer, Associate Professor Head of Discipline - Psychology, ACU
a qualification in psychology opens the door to a whole range of areas”
rachel dryer associate professor
Make up your mind
And study psychology! The career opportunities are endless
If you’re interested in STEM, mental health and making a difference, becoming a psychologist might just be the perfect path for you. Psychology is the study of the human mind and behaviour, but there’s not just one way to use these important skills. With the right qualifications, you could end up working in an area like clinical psychology, education, sport and exercise psychology, criminal justice, law, or nutrition science. Explore your pathway options here!
Skill up
Graduates of a 3-year psychology degree will have:
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Analytical thinking
• Empathy
• Observation skills
• Problem solving
• Attention to detail
Double benefitsdegree
• Gives you a competitive edge
• You’ll be equippedbetter to work in multidisciplinary teams
• More career path options
Around 25% of Australian and New Zealand jobs advertised in the last four years are potentially suitable for psychology graduates.*
study psychology at ACu
Courses for everyone
ACU has heaps of study options to help you achieve your psychology study dream and lots of ways to mix and match your passions and interests.
of Psychological Science/ Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science
of Psychological Science/ Bachelor of Laws
of Psychological Science/ Bachelor of Nutrition Science
OTHER OPTIONS
Already completed an undergraduate degree in psychology or another discipline? Consider these shorter options: Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Online) 1.25
(full-time)
What’s your psychology + X?
Psychology+arts = Community worker
Psychology
+commerce = Marketing expert
Psychology
+criminology = Criminologist
Psychology+law
= Legal practitioner
Psychology
+nutrition science = Nutritionist
Psychology
+sports science = Performance coach
All the industries
Psychology graduates can work in…
• Health
• Welfare
• Education
• Management
• Project administration
• Human resources
• Marketing
• Information technology
• Design
• Business
• Science
Be
in-demand Psychology jobs will grow by 13.3% in the next five years, according to SEEK.
Postgrad study
Studied something that could be boosted by psychology skills or want to specialise further? Check these out:
Master of Professional Psychology
This fifth-year program provides psychology graduates with a year of practical training and 300 hours of external placement under supervision to translate their theoretical knowledge to a professional environment. Graduates from this program can gain general registration following an additional year of supervised pratice.
Master of (EducationalPsychology and Developmental)
Successful completion of this course allows registration as a general psychologist and eligibility for the two-year registrar program, culminating in Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) endorsement in Educational & Developmental psychology.
Pay day
The average annual salary for psychologist jobs in Australia ranges from $95,000 to $110,000, according to SEEK.
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Successful completion of this course allows registration as a general psychologist and eligibility for a two-year registrar program, which upon completion leads to Psychology Board of Australia area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology.
Keen on further research? ACU has some brilliant research centres, including the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, which tackles critical educational and psychosocial issues through positive psychology, and the Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, which aims to advance knowledge that improves mental health, participation and wellbeing.
Learn more at acu.edu.au/psychology
*Source: Understanding Industry Demand for Australia’s Psychology Graduates
Psyched to study
Honours
psychology at ACU
Zoe wasn’t a huge fan of high school. She didn’t love the rigidity of the classroom, favoring PDHPE over her more deskheavy subjects.
Certain that the 9 to 5 office thing wasn’t for her, she set out to create a pathway that was both rewarding and flexible. And with a passion for wellbeing and helping others, psychology seemed like a natural fit.
“Growing up I struggled with my mental health,” Zoe says. “My psychologist was a huge inspiration to me and I realised that if I was in a role where I could help another person [like her] then I would feel full and necessary.”
Big deal
For Zoe, making the transition to uni was daunting. Based in regional NSW, she moved to the big smoke to do a Bachelor of Psychology at ACU - a uni she preferenced for its smaller, less intimidating class size and campus.
“The lecturers and tutors all really know who
the lecturers and tutors all really know who you are, so you can get to know them”
you are, so you can get to know them,” she says. “It’s so much easier to make friends too!”
Although she rated her undergrad units — “learning about the brain every day was fascinating!” — Zoe found her niche in her honours year. She’s currently writing a report on paternal pregnancy-related anxiety. “I’m starting to understand the grave effects it can cause not only for fathers, but for mothers and children too,” she says. When she’s not smashing out assignments, Zoe is dreaming of her next big move — a Masters of Clinical Psychology — which will allow her to work in a clinical setting.
And her advice to fellow brain lovers?
“Psychology is a science-based degree which can be tough, but if you believe that helping others is part of your life journey, it’s a great way to get there!”
student Zoe Renowden moved from regional NSW to study
zoe renowden psychology honours student
SMASHING THE STIGMA
After a string of internships, ACU post-grad Ahmed Tohamy unlocked his dream gig — supporting the mental health of young people and their families
As a kid Ahmed was always passionate about helping others, and with mental health rarely talked about in his community, he could see the opportunity to make a real difference - particularly for kids.
“I’ve always been interested in the struggles of adolescent mental health…for me [psychology] was a very good chance to radically change a young person’s life trajectory for the better,” Ahmed says.
To achieve his career goals, he embarked on a lengthy study journey, enrolling in a Bachelor of Psychological Science, and then a Master of Professional Psychology. He peppered his pathway with internships, setting him up for success as a psychologist before deciding to study again - a Master of Psychology (Clinical) at ACU. “It was then that I could combine theory with the practical experience that I had already gained,” he says.
“I learned so much with the two combined!”
These days, with his clinical qualifications, Ahmed is living out his career dreams - changing the lives of young people as a clinical psychologist at the Wollongong Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
He regularly relies on his postgrad research experience, backboning sessions and interventions with the advanced theoretical concepts he picked up at ACU.
His biggest takeaway? Psychology is an art! “Theory is important, but clinical practice is a combination of science and art,” Ahmed says. “The art - that comes with practice.”
I’ve always been interested in the struggles of adolescent mental health”
Day in the life
Forget routine, for a clinical psych no day (or patient) is the same 8:30am
Get ready for the day! Respond to emails, check calendar, prep for assessments and sessions and make any phone calls
10am
Assessment with a young client. “There’s no rule book and my clients are highly complex!” 12pm
Multi-disciplinary team meeting 1pm
Attend a school meeting for a young student client
2pm
Parent/family session. “It’s such an amazing opportunity to do real, intensive work with families.”
3pm
Joint review of a client with a psychiatrist
4pm
Psychotherapy session with a young person. “I’m always having to think on my feet and adapt!”
ahmed tohamy clinical psychologist
Get the job!
Secure your future in psychology by skilling up now
Pathway options at ACU
UNDERGRADUATE PSYCHOLOGY
3 year sequence or 3 year bridging program
Bachelor of Psychological Science (3 years)
Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (4 years)
Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Nutrition Science NEW IN 2024 (4 years)
Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice NEW IN 2024 (4 years)
Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Commerce (4 years)
Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Arts (4 years)
Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Law (5 years)
Gradute Diploma in Psychology (ACU Online)* (1.25 years) *with a completed bachelor’s degree
4 YEAR
DEGREE
✔ Love helping people ✔ Are fascinated by human behaviour ✔ Like solving problems
Master of Professional Psychology (Melbourne)
5 + 1 internship, Fifth year of Psychology
1 year of supervised practice
PsyBA National Psychology Exam
Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) (Melbourne) Fifth and sixth (plus) years of Psychology
GENERAL REGISTRATION
Master of Psychology (Clinical) (Melbourne & Strathfield) Fifth and sixth (plus) years of Psychology
Immerse yourself in the world of psychology!
TV series: The Mind, Explained (Netflix)
Find out what’s happening inside your head! This series covers everything from dreaming to anxiety disorders, highlighting how exactly the brain works.
Podcast: All in the Mind
Explore all things mind, brain and behaviour, with topics on everything from addiction and artificial intelligence to toxic masculinity and grief.
TV series: You Can’t Ask That (ABC iView)
This is all about asking surprising and sometimes uncomfortable questions to find out more about misunderstood Australians. Check out ‘Eating Disorders’ and ‘Schizophrenia’ in Series 3, ‘Obsessive Compulsive Disorder’ in Series 6, and Postnatal Depression in Series 7 to hear what it’s like living with these challenges.
Podcast: Hidden Brain
Deep dive into the unconscious patterns that drive human behaviour. There are episodes on fear, listening, memory, confidence and even the psychology behind scams.
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (4 years)
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) (1 year)