The University of Notre Dame Australia's Bachelor of Behavioural Science is a three-year degree. As part of your degree, you will explore and analyse different socio-economic groups and communities within society and see how they cope with the various government, social, and legal pressures being placed on them. You will also receive training that allows you to compassionately work with marginalised people and help them achieve social justice.

The Bachelor of Behavioural Science is a unique program that combines elements of psychology, political science, cultural studies and sociology. Integrating specialised knowledge developed in these social science disciplines, and with a strong focus on critical psychology, the program forges a connection between traditional psychology and social work.

During this program you will develop an understanding of your place and role in society as well as respect for social and cultural diversity. Embedded within the degree is a specific emphasis on the assumptions and practices that promote substantive reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

As a graduate, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to work with those who may be experiencing marginalisation or disadvantage. Depending on your particular specialisations and choice of subjects employment opportunities will be available in a wide variety of industries and fields including advertising, community development, social impact assessment, health promotion, and more.

Work Integrated Learning: The Behavioural Science Internship forms a vital part of this degree and offers you the chance to apply the theoretical knowledge of your degree in a professional environment. The Internship requires that you complete a minimum of 90 hours within an organisation in conjunction with regular class contact. You may undertake specific projects or tasks, engage in directed research, facilitate groups, write reports and/or develop projects or program initiatives as part of your Internship.

For a Bachelor of Behavioural Science you will complete 24 courses.

Twelve Behavioural Science courses are completed and you may choose to use eight elective courses to study a Major in another discipline or six elective courses to study a Minor, or you can use your elective courses to study more Behavioural Science courses.

Required Communications course (1 course)

All students in the Bachelor of Arts complete this course.

• ARTS1000 Academic Writing, Communication and Research

Twelve (12) required Behavioural Science courses

• Introductory
  • BESC1000 Developmental Psychology
  • BESC1020 Foundations of Human Behaviour
  • ABOR1000 Aboriginal People
  • BESC1050 Social Science Research
• Intermediate
  • BESC2240 Discourse, Power and Politics
  • BESC2140 Organisational Behaviour
  • BESC2250 Culture and Society
  • BESC2160 Psychological Perspectives on Health
• Advanced
  • BESC3930 Community: Policy and Development
  • BESC3150 Professional Practice in Behavioural Science
  • BESC3110 Research methods and Practice
  • BESC3940 Behavioural Science Internship

Eight (8) elective courses

These courses may be used to form an 8 course Major or a 6 course Minor from the list of disciplines below. Or you can complete extra Behavioural Sciences courses.

• Archaeology
• Biology (Major only)
• English Literature
• Environmental Management
• History
• Human Resource Management
• Journalism
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Politics and International Relations
• Social Justice
• Theology

Core Curriculum

• CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
• CORE II: Elective
  • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
  • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
  • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
  • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
  • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

Full details of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

Here you can find full details of the courses on offer.

More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors;  The following careers are open to graduates: community development, youth work, policy development, corporate liaison, advertising, social impact assessment and more.

Applicants must meet High school qualifications (or equivalent) to apply for undergraduate program. Academic minimum entry requirements for international applicants vary from country to count

IELTS (Academic) - 6.5 overall, with no individual band score lower than 6.0

CAE/CPE - 176 overall, with no individual band score lower than 169

PTE Academic - 58 overall, with no individual band score lower than 50

TOEFL (iBT) - 84 overall, with no score lower than 21 in writing and no other band score lower than 17.