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Psychology & Social Science

If you are interested in how people think, feel and behave, study psychology to gain a clear understanding of human behaviour.

Our Psychology & Social Science disciplines will equip you with skills in analysing and researching as well as exploring interactions between people and their environments.

We are the only university in Western Australia to offer social science courses with a focus on professional practice that includes non-traditional and emerging study areas such as social justice, human rights, crime and inclusion.

Award-winning support for psych students

To help you settle into university life and study, first year psychology students have the added support of the School's nationally acclaimed, award-winning peer mentoring program.

This program links incoming students with second or third year students who can give you the inside knowledge on how to succeed in your studies.

Skills shortage in community sector

We are the only university in WA to offer degrees in Youth Work and Disability Studies, helping to meet the demands of employers in the growing community sector.

This is one of the largest growth areas in Australia according to the Department of Education, Science and Training's report on the Top 10 fastest growing occupations.

Students can tailor-make their degree to reflect their career and life interests, providing variety and specialisations. Many are being snapped up by organisations even before they've finished their studies.

The power of speech

Our new Bachelor of Speech Pathology program boasts state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Graduates from this four-year program will be fully qualified speech pathologists and able to help infants, children and adults with speech impairments improve their communication skills.

Balance work life commitments - study online

As a full-time Local Area Coordinator at the Disability Services Commission and part-time student in Psychology and Disability Studies, Jeremy Marriott at first felt study a real challenge.

However, supportive staff and the flexibility to study off-campus meant Jeremy could cope well.

Online study works really well when fitting in work and other life commitments. Plus the attitude of the staff is exceptional. Every time I asked for help, I have been listened to and helped. When a lecturer says ‘my door is always open’ they mean it.

Double your options

Choosing to do a double major will broaden your expertise and career opportunities. A range of programs can be combined.

For example, combine traditional psychology with: business, criminology or children and family studies. Or if you are more interested in the social science area perhaps combine welfare and community work with youth work, addiction studies, counselling, women's studies or sport management to name but a few, and you will be eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers.

All our psychology courses are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Social work degree leads to counselling

Branch Manager at Relationships Australia Bunbury, Roslyn Paganoni wanted to pursue her dream of a career in Counselling and thanks her degree in Social Work at ECU South West for making this happen.

My degree certainly contributed to my appointment at Relationships Australia, it opened doors for me and now helps me to open doors for others.

If you are interested in this field of study, you may also be interested in completing a major in Applied Counselling in our Social Science degree.