Psychology Major - Bachelor of Health Science
Study the Psychology major in the Bachelor of Health Science degree and gain a broad understanding of psychological research and theory, and related ethical and legal issues.
Psychology is a broad and exciting discipline that covers a range of approaches to studying and understanding behaviour. Explore how people interact with the environment and each other, and how personal, biological, social and environmental factors influence behaviour. You develop research and critical thinking skills, and learn to integrate and present information from diverse perspectives.
AUT psychology graduates are sought after because of their understanding of scientific research, and key interpersonal and interviewing skills.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Health Science.
Download programme guides
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
You develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.
- HEAL504 Lifespan Development and Communication (15 points)
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I (15 points)
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15 points)
- HEAL507 Health and Environment (15 points) OR MAOH501 Hauora Māori (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- PSYC501 Introduction to Psychology A (15 points)*
- PSYC502 Introduction to Psychology B (15 points)*
- PSYC503 Introductory Research Methods (15 points)*
Plus one elective course. Elective courses need to be approved by your programme leader.
*This course is available for a Certificate of Proficiency Application
Year 2
Courses you study
- HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry (15 points)
- PSYC601 Abnormal Psychology (15 points)
- PSYC602 Social Psychology (15 points)*
- PSYC603 Psychological Assessment (15 points)
- PSYC604 Personality (15 points)
- PSYC605 Brain and Behaviour (15 points)
- PSYC681 Cognitive Psychology (15 points)
Plus one elective course. Elective courses need to be approved by your programme leader.
*This course is available for a Certificate of Proficiency Application
Year 3
You learn to think ethically and critically in the context of professional psychology practice. You should choose psychology courses relevant to your future career prospects. You develop advanced research skills and learn to apply these in the field of your choice.
Courses you study
- HLAW701 Health Law and Policy (15 points)
- HEAL708 Professional Practice and Ethics (15 points) or approved elective
And four psychology elective courses chosen from the following list:
- PSYC701 Experimental and Applied Behaviour Analysis (15 points)
- PSYC702 Critical Evaluation in Psychology (15 points)
- PSYC703 Experimental and Applied Behaviour Analysis II (15 points)
- PSYC704 Biopsychology (15 points)
- PSYC705 Positive Psychology (15 points)
- PSYC706 Health Psychology (15 points)
- PSYC707 Approaches to Psychological Intervention (15 points)
- PSYC780 Emotions and Human Nature (15 points)
- PSYC781 Applied Issues in Cultural and Social Psychology (15 points)
- PSYC782 Research Project (15 points)
And two other elective courses approved by your programme leader
Te ara hauora Māori health courses
There’s a growing need for health professionals to work with Māori. That’s why you can include Māori health courses as part of your study and develop the skills to work more effectively with Māori, an essential skill in the diverse health sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Through these courses you gain access to Māori networks and become comfortable working with whānau and Māori communities. We encourage all students to include at least one Māori health course. You don’t need to know te reo to enrol in the Māori health courses.
- Government, health and social services roles
- Customer service
- Human resources
- Management development programmes.
- Marketing
- Policy analysis and development
- Psychologist*
- Social research
*Registration as a professional psychologist requires postgraduate study. AUT offers a pathway to registration as a counselling psychologist.
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Broaden your options
You can combine the Psychology major with a Bachelor of Business:
Other undergraduate study options
Majors in this degree
- Case Management
- Counselling
- Health Management
- Paramedicine
- Perioperative Practice
- Public and Environmental Health
- Individual pathway (study the Bachelor of Health Science without a major)
Other health science degrees
Postgraduate study options
- Can open up a wide range of career options
- Combine this major with the Public and Environmental Health major, a minor or a Bachelor of Business
- Offered at the North Campus
- Part-time study options available
- Two intakes a year: start in Feb or July
- Interested in human behaviour
- Interested in research
- Able to relate to a range of people
- Patient, adaptable and observant
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.