This unique double degree, which is the only one of its kind in South Australia, will provide you with expertise in the areas of human movement, psychology, counselling and interpersonal skills. With a strong practical and multi-disciplinary industry focus, you will graduate with a specialised set of skills to meet emerging market needs.

The human movement component will allow you to develop a holistic understanding of the impact that exercise and physical activity has on the biological, psychological and social parameters of human life.

The psychological science component provides a balance of courses in psychology theory and counselling – for graduates this means you will enter the workforce with a strong understanding of psychology, as well as the analytical, communication and interpersonal skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities.

Practical learning constitutes a large focus of this degree, enhancing the work-readiness of graduates – the value of this study component has been recognised nationally in the form of an award from the Australian Federal Government Office of Teaching and Learning.

If you finish your degree with a credit or higher grade point average (GPA) you could also be eligible for the one-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – the pathway to employment as a practicing sport psychologist (additional requirements must also be met).

What you'll need

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

What you'll learn

This unique double degree will provide you with expertise in the areas of human movement and psychological science. You will graduate with a specialised set of skills to meet emerging market needs.

During your first year you will study human movement courses, which will give you a solid understanding of:

• human anatomy and physiology
• human movement professional practice
• health and physical activity
• growth and motor development
• group and team psychology. 

In the second year, you will focus on:

• exercise physiology
• nutrition
• the science of movement
• sport and exercise psychology. 

During your third and fourth years you will focus largely on your chosen stream. You can choose to complete a stream in one of the following areas:

• Health and Physical Education
• Rehabilitation Sciences
• Sports Coaching
• Outdoor Education
• Health Promotion.

You will also select from a number of psychology-specific professional development courses, such as:

• conservation psychology
• cognitive psychology
• counselling
• effective communication
• sleep psychology
• discursive and conversational analysis
• psychology and Indigenous Australians
• research methods.

You will develop influencing skills and intervention strategies, gain knowledge of psychological disorders, and study the relationship between psychology and physical activity.

As the health, wellbeing and nutrition industries continue to grow, employment prospects for graduates of this degree are promising.

Careers to consider include:

• Sport development officer: responsible for coordinating club and athlete participation in sports programs, as well as improving the performance of individuals and teams
• Community and allied health worker: support and assist the work of allied health professionals, such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists and dieticians
• Sports coach: provide expert training advice to sporting professionals, and analyse their performances to provide further feedback and development strategies
• Health and wellbeing advisor: advise clients on exercise, health, wellbeing and nutrition
• Youth worker: work with young people, providing support and encouragement
• Counsellor (with further study): work with individuals in a confidential setting, helping them to overcome problems
• Community development officer: work with communities to bring about social change
• Research Assistant: support research psychologists in the research process.

As a graduate of the Health and Physical Education stream within this double degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for the Master of Teaching (Secondary), and can teach up to year 12 Health and PE, Psychology and Junior Science. You’ll also be qualified for school counsellor roles. For more information including subjects you'll be able to teach, visit our secondary health and physical education teaching page.

*The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree is the entry path to become a professionally practicing or research psychologist. You must finish your degree with a credit or high-grade point average (GPA) to be eligible for honours. You will then need to complete a two-year Master of Psychology (Clinical) or PhD in Psychology.

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. On completion of the program, graduates will have met the prerequisites to apply for fourth year programs in Psychology.

Graduates are eligible to apply for level 1 membership of the Australian Counselling Association, provided that they have attended all practicals in the BEHL 2013 and BEHL 3018 courses during the degree.