Career Pathways

3-year Undergraduate Degree in Psychology (Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences (Psychology) (PY45)

A 3-year trained Psychology graduate is able to apply for positions with State and Commonwealth government departments and private businesses where a 3-year undergraduate degree is a prerequisite. Graduates who complete the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) degree will have sound knowledge in research and analysis and may want to use these skills to pursue careers in areas such as education, justice, or health.

Many graduates of the 3 year undergraduate degree wish to pursue careers in professional areas of psychology. To do so, students must be registered with their State Registration Board. This currently involves completing a fourth year of study in Psychology (eg Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours Psychology) or Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, followed by either two years of supervised work experience or the completion of an appropriate higher degree (eg Master or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or Master of Counselling Psychology). The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) provides students with a degree accredited by the Australian Psychological Society .

Employment Opportunities

• Child Safety Officer, Department of Child Safety
• Case Manager
• Advanced Health Worker, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS)
• Research Officer
• Caseworker, Department of Communities
• Probation and Parole Officer
• Human Resources
• Lifeline Counsellor

4-year Degree in Psychology (Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences (Honours Psychology) (PY09) or Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (PY20)

An Honours/Postgraduate Diploma program builds on an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)  accredited undergraduate degree and provides an opportunity for advanced study and research. Graduates of the 4th year programs have highly developed skills in statistics, research and the broad principles in psychology including cognition and social psychology. 4th year graduates may choose career paths in government health services, with private psychology practices, or alternatively in a range of other disciplines including business, justice and administration.

Graduates of the 4th year Psychology programs at QUT are able to obtain probationary registration with the Psychologist Board of Australia  . Further study of either two years of supervised work experience or the completion of an appropriate higher degree (eg Master or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or Master of Counselling Psychology) will allow 4-year trained Psychology Graduates to be fully accredited and able to obtain registration from the State Registration Board .

Employment Opportunities

• Research Assistant

• Psychologist

• Project Coordinator

• Counselling
• Program Evaluation
• Change management

• Aid work
• Disaster Response
• Rehabilitation

Master of Clinical Psychology (PY18) or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) (PY50)

Graduates of the Clinical Psychology Postgraduate programs have advanced training in clinical theory, skills and research. They are eligible to work as fully registered Psychologists in hospital, community and private practice settings in areas that require clinical and psychotherapy skills, as well as skills in psychological assessment, diagnosis, case formulation, and treatment planning that are tailored for the individual needs of the client within the broader system that they live in. Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology / Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) are eligible to obtain full registration with the national registration board and are eligible for endorsement with the Psychologist Board of Australia   as a clinical psychologist, as well as membership of the Australian Psychological Society  College of Clinical Psychologists , with an extra two years of approved supervision following the masters degree and an extra one year of approved supervision following the professional doctorate.

Employment Opportunities

• Clinical Psychologist
• Psychologist
• Forensic Psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Health Psychology
• Academic
• Research Fellow
• Counselling
• Program Evaluation
• Change management
• Aid work
• Critical incident/disaster response

Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) (IX20)

Graduates of the Clinical Psychology Postgraduate programs are prepared to work as educational or developmental psychologists in a range of settings including schools, disability services, hospitals, employment agencies and private practices. Graduates of the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) are able to obtain full registration with the State Registration Board  and are eligible for membership of the Australian Psychological Society  College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists. 

• Psychologist
• Developmental Psychologist
• School Psychologist

Master of Counselling (PY12)

Graduates of the Master of Counselling are prepared for specialised positions in the Counselling field. The course also provides knowledge, understanding and skills that will contribute to the development and practice of counselling in the professional environment. Graduates of the Master of Counselling are able to be registered with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) 

Employment Opportunities

• Counsellor
• Face to Face Counsellor
• Child, Adolescent and Family Counsellor