Psychology Honours

Honours Coordinator

Assoc. Prof. 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 BPsychScB(Psy)(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 practise and science of psychology through general and special seminars. In addition to preparing students for postgraduate study, the Honours program has been designed to satisfy the requirements of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) for Associate Membership. The Psychology Honours program is offered at Clayton, South Africa and Sunway (Malaysia) (from 2010).

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.
South Africa and Sunway students will be located at their respective campuses.

Duration

Australia, South Africa and Sunway students:
One year full-time (early February to end November) or two years part-time in on-campus mode.

Course Structure

The Psychology Honours program consists of four core units:
PSY4100 Psychology Honours: Research Project
PSY4210 Statistics and Research Design for Professional Psychology
PSY4220 Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychology
PSY4270 Psychological Assessment

and one elective unit chosen from 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)
The Honours program is one year of full-time or two-years of part-time study. Students studying part-time complete the coursework (the PSY42XX) units in their first year and the research project unit (PSY4100) in their second year.

The Honours programs consists of two assessed components - supervised research project (50%), coursework seminars and lectures (50%), and a series of skills workshops. Each component builds on knowledge gained in the undergraduate course.

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, because of limitations in School resources and availability of supervision, it is necessary to limit entry, and therefore the recent cut-off mark for entry to Australian campus program has been in the 75% - 80%+ range. .
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.

Course Fees

Australian campuses:

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 on the Fees Website.

South Africa campus:

Check the Monash South Africa prospective students’ website for more details

Malaysia campus (Sunway):

Check the School of Medicine and Health Sciences website for more details

Applications

Refer to the 4th Year Application Information page.
Note: There is no mid-year entry into the Psychology Honours course.
International applications:
International applicants must complete two application forms. They must submit the online SPPPM 4th Year Application Form AND MUST also apply through the Monash International Office to register and organise visas and other requirements. 

Enquiries

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