Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)/Bachelor of Counselling

This four-year double degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast combines a psychology major with professional counselling training. You graduate with two qualifications: a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) and a Bachelor of Counselling. That matters because the psychology side gives you the scientific study of behaviour, cognition and emotion, while the counselling side teaches you how to actually sit with a person and work through what they bring to the room.

The degree runs over four years of full-time study, typically split into semesters. You accumulate units of study and credit points across both disciplines, with core sequences in psychological theory, research methods and statistics, lifespan development, personality, and abnormal psychology, alongside counselling units covering therapeutic models, interviewing skills, group work, ethics and professional practice. Most Australian bachelor degrees are three years; this one is longer because it carries two full awards. You will also complete supervised counselling practicum hours, which is standard for counselling training in Australia and required for professional recognition. Check the official course page for the exact unit list and placement requirements.

Assessment mixes exams, essays, research reports, practical skills demonstrations and placement supervision reports. The psychology component includes a research project or capstone in your later years, where you design and run a small study under academic supervision. The counselling component includes a professional placement, usually in a community organisation, school, health service or private practice, where you see clients under supervision. Work-integrated learning is built into the counselling side; it is how you build the hours and experience that employers and registration bodies expect.

You finish with skills in psychological assessment, research design, data analysis, active listening, case conceptualisation, therapeutic communication, ethical decision-making and reflective practice. The double degree suits school leavers who want a clinical or helping career but also want the research literacy that psychology provides. It also suits mature-age students moving from community services, education or health work who want formal qualifications. If you are unsure whether you want to be a psychologist or a counsellor, this degree lets you keep both doors open.

English proficiency for international applicants is usually IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall for undergraduate study, though this can be higher for courses with professional registration requirements. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. Confirm the exact requirement for this course on the official page. International students on a Student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after graduating. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 110839D.

• Counsellor in community health, mental health, relationship services, schools, or private practice
• Case manager or support worker in child protection, disability, housing, or family services
• Youth worker or school wellbeing officer in education and community organisations
• Human resources or organisational development officer in corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors
• Research assistant in universities, health services, or social policy organisations
• Behaviour support practitioner in NDIS services and disability support
• Mental health support worker in hospitals, clinics, and community mental health teams
• Further study pathway toward provisional psychologist registration through an accredited fourth-year or master's programme