Psychology Honours

Honours Coordinator

Dr. Shantha Rajaratnam

Introduction

The Psychology Honours program is offered to students from the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; leading to the degree of BSc (Hons), BA(Hons), BBNS(Hons), BPsych(Hons) or BPsych&Bus(Hons) respectively. Students completing degrees from other faculties or universities, who have completed a major in psychology to a high standard, should contact the 4th Year Administrative Officer of the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine with regard to the appropriate Faculty of enrolment.

The main objectives of the Honours year are to introduce students to the theoretical and methodological aspects of research through a research project undertaken under close supervision by a staff member; and to introduce students to wider issues in the practice and science of psychology through general and special seminars. In addition to preparing students for post-graduate study, the Honours program has been designed to satisfy the requirements of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) for Associate Membership.

Professional Recognition

The program has been approved as a fourth year of study in psychology by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Campus Location

Australian based students' research will be based at the campus where their supervisor is usually located. The coursework components may require attendance at both the Caulfield and Clayton campuses.

Singapore (TMC) and South African based students will be located at their respective campuses.

Duration

Australian and South African based students:

Normally the Honours program is one year full-time (early February to end November) or two years part-time.

Singapore (TMC) students:

Completion of the course is on a part-time basis over two years in off-campus mode.

Course Structure

The course consists of a major research project (50%) and four coursework units - three core units and one elective unit (50% collectively).

• PSY4100 - Psychology Honours: Research Project (Full-Year, 24 points)
  Students complete an individual research project, carried out under the supervision of a staff member, and report this in a literature review and research paper.
• PSY4210 - Statistics and Research Design for Professional Psychology (One-Semester, 6 points)
  Students will attend a series of lectures designed to provide them with knowledge of advanced univariate and multivariate statistical procedures that are required by psychologists for both research and practice. The lectures are accompanied by tutorials covering course content and the use of the SPSS analysis software. Workbook exercises that provide students with practical experience of the material covered in the lectures
• PSY4220 - Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychology (One-Semester, 6 points)
  Students will pursue a program of workshops, readings and assignments which direct attention to ethical, legal and social issues involved in psychological practice.
• PSY4270 - Psychological Assessment (One-Semester, 6 points)
  Students will  pursue a program of workshops, readings and assignments that will provide in depth knowledge of the development and use of a range psychological tests as well as practical experience in the application, scoring and interpretation of such tests.
• A "Contemporary issues" elective unit  (One-Semester, 6 points):
        Students are required to take one of the following:
• PSY4230 Contemporary issues in psychobiology
• PSY4240 Contemporary issues in cross-cultural and indigenous psychology
• PSY4250 Contemporary issues in psycholinguistics
• PSY4260 Contemporary issues in developmental psychology
• PSY4280 Contemporary issues in theoretical psychology (not available in 2008)

Assessment

Assessment involves a variety of formats including presentations, examinations and written work. The written work includes essays, a literature review, a report on an individual research project and the preparation of an ethics application.

Eligibility

Applicants must possess a Bachelor's Degree and a major sequence in psychology accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC), or qualification assessed as equivalent by the Australian Psychological Society.

Admission to the Honours year is determined solely by academic merit. The minimum requirement is an average grade of 70% in core Psychology subjects at the third year level, however, in practice the cut-off has been in the 75% - 80%+ range over the last five years. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate a suitable background in research methods. Because of limitations in school resources and availability of supervision, it may be necessary to limit entry. Applicants from other institutions should note that while preference is given to graduates of Monash University, a small quota of places will be available to outstanding external applicants (i.e., non-Monash graduates).

It should also be noted that any offer by the School of a place in the Honours program is subject to approval of the applicant's qualifications by the relevant Faculty (Science, Arts or Medicine).

Course Fees

Australian based students:

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP, formerly HECS) are available for all Australian citizens and permanent residents. International student fees will depend on the Honours degree in which you enrol, for example BSc(Hons), BA(Hons) etc.

Important information (including current fees) for 'CSP' and 'International Full-Fee' places can be found at http://www.monash.edu.au/fees/course-fees/ .

South African based students:

Check the Monash South Africa prospective students website for more details

Singapore (TMC) based students:

Check the TMC Website for more details.

Applications

Australian campus applicants:

Applications for the course may only be submitted via the web based application form available from the fourth year website. The web-based application form will open in September each year and must be lodged by the 31st of October, for entry into the course the following year. International students MUST also apply through the Monash International Office. Students should visit the Monash International Website for important information.

South African campus applicants:

Applications for the course may only be submitted via the web based application form available from the fourth year website. The web-based application form will open in September each year and must be lodged by the 31st of October, for entry into the course the following year. Applicants should also check the Monash South Africa prospective students website for important information.

Singapore (TMC) applicants:

Students wishing to study this course in Singapore should consult the brochure Psychology programs for residents of Singapore obtainable from the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine on telephone (+61 3) 9902 6415. They should contact TMC Centre for Advanced Education, (masterenquiry@tmc.edu.sg) for admission and enrolment procedures, course requirements and fees.

Note: There is no mid-year entry into the Psychology Honours course.

Enquiries

Email: 4thyearpsych.enquiries@med.monash.edu.au
Telephone: +61 3 990 31173