Psychology Major - Bachelor of Arts

Psychology is the study of human behaviour. It explores what humans need to develop and thrive. This major looks at psychology within the context of our society, where we live and work.

An understanding of psychology is useful for a wide range of careers – including career and employment counselling, community development, management, marketing and communications, politics, public health promotion, or training and development. The Psychology major can also provide the foundation for the postgraduate studies required for registration as a psychologist.

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This is part of the Bachelor of Arts.

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This major introduces you to the main areas of psychology including cognitive, personality, clinical and social psychology. It takes a hands-on approach and provides you with research, assessment and intervention skills.

Apart from the courses below you also need to complete courses from your second major, your chosen minor(s) or electives.

Core courses

And one of:

Psychology courses

If you're majoring in psychology, this is the main subject area you specialise in. It makes up one third of your degree and consists of eight psychology-related courses you study throughout your degree.

Complete the following courses

Choose from the following courses

Complete five of:

And three of:

Workplace experience

Workplace experience is an important part of your degree, and the Work Integrated Learning course is the final part of your degree. This is a supervised work placement related to your major(s), for an organisation of your choice. It's a great way to get industry experience while still being able to get feedback from AUT lecturers, and for many of our students this workplace experience also leads to a job offer.

Recent placements included:

  • Affinity Services
  • Anxiety New Zealand
  • Auckland City Mission
  • Auckland District Health Board
  • Idea Services
  • Red Cross
  • Women’s Health Action

You could also take the Foundations in Research course if you’re considering continuing into postgraduate study.

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  • Career and employment counselling
  • Community development
  • Management
  • Marketing and communications
  • Politics
  • Psychologist*
  • Public health promotion
  • Training and development

* Psychologists are professionals who have completed undergraduate studies in psychology, followed by postgraduate qualifications in a specialist area of professional practice in psychology. Careers include: child or educational psychologist, clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, forensic psychologist and organisational psychologist.

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Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Psychology Careers

Other psychology study options

Other majors in the Bachelor of Arts

*This major focuses on New Zealand Sign Language and developing the skills to become a Sign Language interpreter. It doesn’t include the option to include courses from different subjects.

Key features
  • Covers the main areas of psychology: cognitive, personality, clinical and social psychology
  • Opens up a wide range of careers
  • Workplace experience in a community organisation or business
  • Industry links: Mason Clinic - Forensic Psychiatry Services, Department of Corrections and Waitemata District Health Board
See yourself as
  • Empathetic and ethical
  • Interested in the behaviour of people
  • Analytical and organised
  • Questioning and enquiring
Brandi Ladyman-Miller
Ella Rea-Rankin
Bethany Delaveau (Willis)
Lilli Ford

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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