Psychology and exercise science share a common goal of assisting individuals and groups to optimise their functioning and performance, and the combined knowledge of these two disciplines will equip graduates of this double degree to provide high quality services to their clients. Exercise scientists working with clinical populations and high performance athletes will benefit from the knowledge and skills gained from many core topics within psychology, including motivation, emotion, individual differences, psychological disorders, and decision making.

ACU's undergraduate psychology programs help students to acquire knowledge, assimilate conceptual understandings and develop skills of application that are valuable to the enhancement of human functioning in a broad range of professional settings. Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychological Science will complete a sequence in psychology that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This sequence will ensure graduates acquire an advanced understanding of human behaviour, as well as highly regarded employability skills, including:

• critical analysis and rational thinking;
• ethical decision making;
• scientific thinking and research capabilities;
• measurement and analysis of data;
• problem solving skills;
• written and verbal communication;
• interpersonal skills, including foundational counselling skills; and
• life-long learning skills.

The Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science progresses students from foundation knowledge, understanding and skills in human anatomy, physiology and the sub-disciplines of Exercise Science, into their application in movement, exercise and sporting contexts, such as exercise testing, prescription and delivery. Students are then progressed into authentic learning experiences in which they can integrate their evidence-based learnings and scope of practice in applied, industry-based settings. This professional practice provides students with the opportunity to reflect upon their transition from learning to practitioner. The course has qualifying accreditation status with Exercise and Sports Science Australia. Our graduates will make meaningful contributions to improving the outcomes of clients, customers, colleagues and collaborators in a diverse range of settings including, but not limited to: government departments, private sector, schools, business, and not-for-profit organisations.

• Counselling
• Child welfare and development
• Community work
• Education
• Health
• Human resources
• Marketing and Market research
• Fourth year study in psychology to pursue a career in psychology, including sports psychology
• Government and non-government health, sport and recreation departments
• High performance sport organisations
• Sports institutes and academies
• Corporate fitness
• Exercise scientist
• Sports scientist
• Health and fitness consultant
• Strength and conditioning coach
• Sports coach
• Rehabilitation coach
• Performance analyst
• Fitness advisor
• Sports science manager
• Physical activity officer
• Allied health assistant