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Study online with Curtin University through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

Psychology encompasses aspects of human behaviour using tested theoretical framework to examine, explain and predict what we do as individuals and in groups. This Higher Education Certificate leads students into a general applied psychology program.

This is your introduction to formal studies of the human mind. Study 4 core subjects in psychology—and get entry and credit in Curtin’s Bachelor Degree. Explore individual and group behaviour. Start thinking about your career as a psychologist.

Undergraduate Certificate in Psychology

Science and Professional Practice in Psychology

Broad outline of the study of mental processes. Introduction to perception, thinking, language, intelligence, consciousness, psychological disorders, and psychological therapies.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

An introduction to the way people think, calling on major psychological research and theory. You’ll explore perception, language, intelligence, and more. Gain an overview of peoples’ mental processes in their everyday lives.

Foundations of Psychology

Broad outline of the nature, methods, and fields of psychology. Introduction to psychology and methodological issues related to the study of human beings and the relevance of both for interactions with individuals and groups. Introduction to social psychology, personality, development, learning, memory, and motivation.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Explore how the science of psychology can explain and predict behaviour in everyday life. You’ll gain an overview of key psychological concepts. Touch on theories of motivation, memory, personality, and more. 

Introduction to Psychology

This subject provides an introduction to health psychology in the Australian context. You will learn about how psychological theory can be applied to understanding health enhancing behaviours and health risk behaviours. In addition you will explore the impact of living with illness and pain and strategies for improving health and quality of life.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Delve into the connections between people’s minds and bodies to better understand wellbeing. You’ll explore both the positive and risky behaviours that can influence people’s health. Touch on the connection between stress and illness. 

Introduction to Health Psychology

Although associations between crime and mental illness have a long history, the relationship is complex and contentious. Problem areas include media representations and social constructions of violent offenders, methodological and conceptual inconsistencies, and limited appreciation of the heterogeneity of mental health issues. This subject of study aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the evidence concerning the crime-mental health relationship. Factors other than mental illness that may be associated with violence and general criminality are explored, as are ethical challenges relating to this area. Particular mental disorders most often linked with criminality are examined and the relevant evidence is evaluated. Based on the content of this subject of study, students will demonstrate knowledge of ethical challenges and provide recommendations for best practice for both empirical research and policy.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Delve into the complex relationship between crime and mental illness. Examine links between offending, violence, mental disorder, and substance abuse. Get critical with an evidence-based approach that separates media representations from actual research.

Crime and Mental Health

This subject considers the psychology surrounding leadership: by addressing what constitutes effective leadership and how leadership skills might be improved. It differs from standard business courses in leadership, of which there are, of course, many. In this unit we focus specifically on psychological processes (what is that is clear and distinct in the psychological make up of a &#39;leader&#39; for example). The Unit is split into 8 modules and each of these has a separate and discreet topic. Whilst there are core readings for each module which you must read you are also strongly advised to review the additional reading as a way of enhancing your learning for this unit. Each of the eight sections introduces a key reading in the area of concern, and the introductory text and key reading complement one another in forming the core teaching materials.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Explore effective and adaptive leadership. Learn to apply psychological principles to solve business problems. Through various psychological processes, unpack management and leadership topics including power, diversity, and resilience.

Psychology of Leadership

Introduces the scientist-practitioner model for psychology. Explores the historical origins of psychology, the scientific mindset and the role of ethics in psychological research and practice. Examines the manner in which theory, research and practice are mutually informed. Reviews psychology career pathways in the discipline, profession and related areas.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

An introduction to scientific ways of thinking about human behaviour. You’ll explore the origins of psychological science and how they’ve evolved into today’s psychology practices. Think about ethics. Adopt a scientific perspective.

Some people are more likely to commit particular crimes than are other people. Some people are more likely to become victims of crime than are other people. This subject of study explores variables that relate to victims and offenders. Serial victims and serial offenders are examined. Sexual crimes, violent crimes and family violence will be spotlighted and evidence relevant to victims, offenders and the decisions that they make will be assessed. Students will explore the methodological challenges associated with researching victims and offenders, and consider how the research evidence can translate to good practice within criminal justice contexts.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Understand why some people are more likely to commit particular crimes than others, and why certain citizens are more likely to be victims of these crimes. Cover sexual crimes, violent crimes and family violence in particular. 

Understanding Victims and Offenders

This unit addresses the role of culture in business and management. Students begin by considering two well-known models of culture proposed by Hofstede and Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner. After summarising these models students will consider the specific implications for business and management to which they lead. Student then consider cultural influences in the context of organisational behaviour, and in particular work motivation, the relationship between the individual and the organisation (e.g., organisational commitment and justice), negotiation and disputes, teams, leadership, and expatriate management.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Calling on psychology theory and practice, explore culture’s influence on business and management. From the way businesses are structured, through to what motivates people to work, deep dive into the relationship between leadership and culture.

Organisational Culture

Forensic psychology concerns the application of psychology to the understanding and operation of legal and criminal justice systems. Theories and knowledge from a broad range of domains can be applied within forensic contexts. This subject of study demonstrates how knowledge from the domains of biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, and mental health psychology have been successfully employed to address forensic questions and issues. Students are presented with an introduction to key areas of forensic psychology and major theories of crime are offered and evaluated. Societal constructions of criminality and the changing nature of criminality are examined. Psychological explanations of crime are applied to contemporary issues and appraised. Potential limitations of psychology within forensic settings are explored.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Untangle the ‘why’ behind crime by better understanding the perpetrators psyche. You’ll consider how elements such as biology, personality and mental health impact are at play. Get an introduction to forensic psychology and major theories of crime. 

Psychological Contributions to Understanding Crime

This subject considers how psychology helps us to understand consumer’s attitudes and their consumption behaviour. Module 1 overviews 10 fundamental principles concerning human perception, learning, and memory, and outlines some basic ways in which each relates to consumer behaviour. Module 2 considers consumer decision-making, with particular focus on heuristics and attitude change. Module 3 considers consumer’s personality in terms of the five-factor model and also addresses consumer innovativeness. Module 4 considers consumers as members of social groups, addressing conformity, social identity, fashion, and opinion leadership. Module 5 describes market segmentation with particular emphasis on psychographic strategies as the basis of understanding why market segments should behave the way they do. Module 6 describes psychological research on how physical retail and leisure environments can themselves influence consumer behaviour, influencing consumer’s propensity to approach these environments, their time perception, and their willingness to cooperate with calls to action therein. Module 7 addresses cross-cultural issues, focussing on how dimensions of culture correlate with various consumption attitudes and behaviours. Module 8 addresses two contemporary topics in consumer psychology, namely ethical and sustainable consumption, and trust in online retailers.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Dive into consumers’ minds as you learn what drives consumption. Study human perception, memory, cues that subconsciously move us to make decisions, and what leads to attitude change. Find out what it takes to influence behaviour.

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