Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Psychology in Counselling and Interpersonal Skills (Dual Degree)

at University of South Australia - City East Campus Australia

Start your unstoppable career supporting people's health and wellbeing, with a double degree in exercise and sport science, combined with counselling and interpersonal skills.

This unique double degree – the only one of its kind in South Australia – will develop your expertise in physical, social and psychological science. You'll be prepared for work providing counselling to athletes, enhanced rehabilitation services and enhancing the physical health and mental wellbeing of the population.

This double degree can form the first part of a pathway to becoming a practising Psychologist (including sports psychologist) with further study in the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), and the first part of a pathway to teaching with further study in the Master of Teaching (Secondary).

What you'll learn

This unique double degree will provide you with expertise in the science of exercise and sport, human thought and behaviour. You’ll develop cognitive and creative skills to solve real-world scientific problems and apply your knowledge in diverse contexts such as sports and mental health.  

You'll learn how to provide exercise advice, deliver strength and conditioning services, do biomechanical analyses, and share skill acquisition knowledge to enhance people's physical and mental wellbeing from children, to elite athletes, to older people. 

Your courses in psychology theory and counselling will help you enter the workforce with a strong understanding of the analytical, communication and interpersonal skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities.

In the first two years, you’ll study exercise and sport science courses, with an introduction to psychology, which will give you a solid understanding of:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Fundamental movement skills
• Skill acquisition
• Physical activity and health

The third and fourth years have a strong practical focus. You’ll develop critical thinking and practice-based skills to:

• Develop influencing skills and intervention strategies
• Gain knowledge of psychological disorders, including their causes and range of treatments
• Study the relationship between psychology and physical activity

This unique program will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage projects and contracts within the Australian legal framework. The skills you learn from this specialist area pair well with the advanced knowledge and skills you will gain in project, program and portfolio management.

Project management is a highly valued discipline, with demand increasing for individuals with project management skills in the Australian workforce¹. Many industries rely on specialist project and program professionals with excellent practical skills and advanced knowledge to plan and deliver projects on time, within budget, objectives, specifications, and outcomes that ultimately deliver value to their organisation and stakeholders.

What you'll learn

Throughout the course, you will gain technical skills and professional knowledge to apply project management methodology, tools and techniques, and strategic expertise necessary for managing complex projects across various industries. The program will prepare you to take charge and lead projects from inception to commissioning, and offer knowledge-based solutions to drive a successful completion. The project management thesis provides an opportunity for students to undertake a practical research project that can focus on an issue within a specialised area or workplace.

Occupational therapists empower people to live full and rewarding lives, every day. With UniSA, you'll learn how to help people overcome constraints caused by injury or illness, as well as emotional, developmental, environmental, societal, age-related and psychological limitations.

What you'll learn

The first year will focus on core health subjects including anatomy, physiology, and an introduction to occupational therapy practice and evidence.

From second and third year, you‘ll focus on the application of your skills in mental health, occupation rehabilitation, chronic conditions, community focus, primary health care and participatory community practice.

In addition to field placements, you‘ll attend workshops in a range of industry settings. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit regional settings in your third year, on the annual Country Road Trip.

Throughout your degree you’ll be exposed to many different hands-on activities, such as:

• Splint making
• Dressing adaptation for people with self-care impairments
• Wheelchair measurement tutorials
• Home modification and assistive technology plans
• Adult neurological rehabilitation techniques
• Completing skill demonstrations to become familiar with real-life occupational therapy scenarios

What you'll learn

The Bachelor of Human Movement offers an exciting combination of theoretical, conceptual and hands on learning. From your first year, you can select from primary streams in either Exercise and Sport Science or Health and Physical Education. If you choose to study the Exercise and Sport Science stream, you can also study a secondary stream in Advanced Exercise and Sport Science, Rehabilitation Sciences, Sports Coaching, Health Promotion or Nutrition. If you pursue the Health and Physical Education Stream, you can study a second learning area chosen from a wide range of options including Outdoor Education, Mathematics, Science, English and Nutrition. Visit the Health and Physical Education (H&PE) teacher page to find out more.

During your first year of study, you'll develop a strong foundation in:

• Human anatomy and physiology
• Human movement
• Health and physical activity
• Motor development and ageing
• Group and team psychology

Second year studies will focus on:

• Motor learning and control
• Human nutrition
• Exercise physiology
• Biomechanics

This degree teaches you practical skills and effective communication techniques to interact confidently with clients and peers, complete client screenings, conduct laboratory and field testing, interpret scientific research, and design and implement exercise and training programs.

This unique double degree combines a deep understanding of the human body’s physicality with business skills in sports performance, marketing and leadership.

Through theoretical and practical learning, you’ll be ready to make an impact on the nutritional and physical health, fitness and wellbeing of the community, sporting professionals and sporting organisations alike. Further study opportunities may include a Master of Health Services Management.

What you'll learn

Through this four-year double degree, you’ll complete core courses across both human movement and sport and recreation management.

Your first year will give you foundational knowledge in human anatomy, as well as the evolving discipline of human movement, exercise and sport science, health and physical activity, physiology and leisure concepts in modern Australian society. You’ll develop mathematical and statistical skills for business and management, learn about group and team psychology, and gain an understanding of motor development.

From your second year, you’ll get to broaden your knowledge in exercise physiology, marketing and economics principles, and develop a sound understanding of sport and recreation governance, structure, legislation and policy frameworks.

You can choose to study a sub-major (six courses) in Sports Coaching or you can complete four electives across a range of complementary areas including Exercise and Sports Science, Health, Physical and Outdoor Education or Nutrition.

Your third year of study will give you advanced skills in motor control and learning, nutrition, business intelligence and management, the sociology of health, physical activity and sport, sport governance, and entrepreneurship for social and market impact. You can also choose an advanced health elective or study the psychology of health, exercise and sport.

Your final year will develop your professional practice skills through an industry placement in either Human Movement or in Sport and Recreation Management. You’ll further develop your skills in strategic management, leadership in recreation and sport, recreation planning in the urban environment, and international business environments.

Modern construction is a complex, innovative and highly-organised commercial industry, increasingly influenced by technology and environmental considerations – including green and smart building practices – making construction a dynamic and exciting industry to work in.

What you'll learn

You will study core areas of construction including law, management, communication, and materials and business, and use digital tools for data driven decision making and productivity. These will give you an excellent understanding of the role of a construction professional.

You’ll also study more complex fields such as quantity surveying, building surveying, contract administration, development regulation, development economics and fire engineering.

You will graduate career ready, with the Professional Practice Program offering the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learnt throughout your studies in real-world settings.

Project management is a highly regarded discipline, with demand increasing for individuals with project management skills in the Australian workforce1. Many industries rely on specialist project and program professionals with excellent practical skills and essential knowledge to plan and deliver projects on time, within budget, objectives, specifications, and outcomes that ultimately deliver value to their organisation and stakeholders.

You will graduate with the advanced skills and knowledge to apply project, program and portfolio management methodology to specific professional field(s) of expertise; work in interdisciplinary project teams; and assume the role of project manager from inception to commissioning.

You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to network, exchange ideas and share experiences with practising project managers as well as other professionals. As part of this degree you will do a major integrated research project which could focus on a real issue in your workplace.

This degree utilises the Standard for Project Management and A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) as a learning framework as well as relevant other industry standards in the field that are widely recognised and applied across different industries, businesses and government institutions.

What you'll learn

Throughout this program, you will learn advanced knowledge in project, program, and portfolio management, its widely applicable tools and techniques, and attain a versatile range of skill sets that you can apply to any complex project.

You’ll get unconventional teaching and industry-relevant materials that support learning and upskilling needs.

You will learn the fundamentals of project management and take advanced courses such as Portfolio and Program Management, Managing Complexity in Projects, and Sustainability in Project Management.

You'll learn how to expertly provide midwifery care, along with the legal and ethical responsibilities of midwives. You'll also explore the political, socio-cultural, economic and technological influences on midwifery practice today. 

There is a strong focus on theory and practical experience, so much of your learning is done in our clinician-led, simulated hospital environment. Here you'll have the opportunity to practice your skills through real-life scenarios and feel confident and prepared for clinical practice. This simulated hospital environment and community of women is the only one of its kind in South Australia.

All midwifery students will need to complete clinical placements and Continuity of Care experiences in South Australia. They must be completed on a full-time basis, and shift work will be required over a seven-day roster. Due to the on-call nature of 'continuity of care', students may be required to carry these out over more than one study period.

This master's degree will help health or medical professionals looking to develop their leadership, management and business skills.

What you'll learn
This master’s degree will expand your knowledge and skills in management, administration, leadership, project management, strategic management, financial management and more.

Through a unique blend of health and business courses, you'll learn to:

• Provide the overall strategic direction and management for a service, facility, organisation or centre.
• Work in senior levels of management influencing high-level organisation, financial and administrative decisions.
• Prepare for leadership roles in health within Australia and internationally.
• Develop and strengthen project management processes to plan, manage, execute and deliver successful projects.
• Develop competencies in designing rigorous quantitative research to inform healthcare knowledge, practice, and policy.
• Undertake administrative operations such as reporting and budget planning.
• Understand business analytics, the accounting environment and health economics within organisations.

Designed for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree and meet entry requirements, this intensive master’s degree will qualify you to practise as a registered occupational therapist with two extra years of study.

Occupational therapists empower people to live full and rewarding lives. They help people of all ages achieve their goals, optimise their lifestyles and actively participate in society irrespective of limitations.

At UniSA, you’ll learn from registered occupational therapists and accomplished researchers at the top of their field. With a strong focus on practical skills, you’ll complete 1,000 hours of field placements across health, rehabilitation and community agencies, children’s centres, kindergartens, schools and aged care facilities. This prepares you for professional practice and a seamless transition from study to work.