Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I study Psychology ?
• What if I cannot major in Psychology in my Degree ?
• What if I already have a degree and want to add psychology?
• I am enrolled in a science degree at Monash, can I study Open Learning Psychology ?
• Can I do the Diploma of Psychology
• Have you failed a psychology subject?

How do I study psychology?

Students may complete an accredited undergraduate psychology major at Monash through a number of degrees. Prerequisites and selection procedures depend on the degree in which you enrol. Examples of degrees that may include an accredited major in psychology are listed below.

Students may also complete a non-accredited major in psychology. However, they should be aware that this does not lead directly to further study in psychology or registration as a psychologist.

Bachelor of Science

The BSc is available at the Clayton and Gippsland campuses, and by off-campus learning. It provides specialist training in one or more science disciplines. The degree also promotes a basic understanding of scientific disciplines other than those in which students intend to specialise, and provides training in broad generic science skills including numeracy, data analysis, presentation skills and team work. This will give a broad range of science knowledge and training which will enhance students' future prospects beyond the conventional careers for scientists.

Faculty of Science:http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/undergrad/

Bachelor of Arts

The BA is available at Clayton, Caulfield and Gippsland campuses. This degree offers study in a very wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences and some disciplines offered by other faculties. The psychology major may also be studied in some of the BA tagged degrees.

Faculty of Arts:http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/undergrad/

Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience

This degree program is available at Clayton campus and incorporates a wide diversity of units in the behavioural neuroscience, psychology, and biomedical disciplines. It is structured to permit entry into areas of psychology, into behavioural neuroscience specialities, or into one of many specific health and biomedical careers, as well as into the appropriate higher level studies in these disciplines.

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences: http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/undergrad/

Bachelor of Behavioural Science

This degree is taught on Gippsland campus and by off-campus learning. It includes a major in psychology and supporting studies in science, business or social sciences.

Faculty of Arts:http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/undergrad/

Bachelor of Psychology and Management/Marketing

This program aims to produce highly trained and proficient graduates in Psychology and Management/Marketing. It is expected on completion of the course that students will be well qualified to apply their psychological training to work in a business environment. The course content of the program comprising studies in psychology, marketing, management, business, law and taxation, accounting and finance, and sociology, will provide students with excellent training for further postgraduate study in psychology or business.

Faculty of Business and Economics: http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/undergrad/

Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Psychology

This double award is administered by the Faculty of Law, and is suitable for students wishing to pursue careers in law and/or psychology.

Faculty of Law: http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/undergrad/

International students should check the Undergraduate Course Guide for International Students on the Monash International website http://www.monash.edu.au/intoff/ for course entry requirements, course fees, Australian Government requirements and conditions for study in Australia, and other important information.

Diploma of Psychology

The Diploma of Psychology offers students the opportunity to complete an Australian Psychological Society accredited psychology major while undertaking a concurrent degree. The course is available only to students enrolled in degrees where it is not possible to study the 60-point APS-accredited major sequence. Students must enrol in the diploma in their first year, or not later than the first semester of the second year of their concurrent degree. The course structure is identical to the 60-point undergraduate major in psychology in which students must complete complete 10 six-point units (nine core and one elective). Prerequisites: The Diploma is available to students who have satisfied the entry requirements for an undergraduate degree at Monash University.

Monash University Undergraduate Handbook

Graduate Diploma in Psychology

If you already have a degree and would like to study psychology, the undergraduate major in psychology can be completed by undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, either on-campus or by off campus learning. The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is accredited by the Australian Psychological Society and permits students to undertake the further training needed to obtain professional qualifications.

The course structure is identical to the APS-accredited undergraduate major sequence in psychology, that is, first-year, second-year and third-year psychology units, and normally requires three years of part time study. Fees apply for each semester unit and these are paid on enrolment.

Websites: Further information and application form: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/psych/student/pgrad/

Monash University Postgraduate Handbook:  http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/postgrad/

I am enrolled in a science degree at Monash, can I study Open Learning Psychology?

Students who have not met University Entrance Requirements (ie year 12 or equivalent) can gain entry to the university through the study of two open learning subjects. These subjects will be credited towards a student's degree where this is consistent with the degree structure. This is a general university policy.

However, a student who has gained entry to the university (by whatever means) and is enrolled in a degree course in Science, may not then study open learning subjects towards the degree if an equivalent is available in the suite of offerings in our handbook.

In other words, once students have started any of our science degrees, they must do PSY1011/1022, and may not substitute the Open Learning subjects.

Can I do the Diploma of Psychology?

The Diploma of Psychology is a HECS-liable course consisting of the undergraduate major sequence which has been accredited by the Australian Psychological Society (ie the nine core subjects plus an elective). It is intended to be taken concurrently with an undergraduate degree, and is designed for students who are unable to study the Psychology major because of constraints in their degree (for example, the Business degrees allow only 36 points of elective study, but the Psychology major comprises 60 points). It is not available to students in any degree which allows them to complete the APS major. This includes the BA, the BSc, and all BSc double degrees, because a student may complete 60 points of Psychology in these courses.

Students must enrol in the Diploma in their first (or in special cases, the second) year of enrolment in their degree program. It is not available to final year students, who are advised to complete their first degree and then enrol in the Graduate Diploma of Psychology if they wish to obtain the APS accredited sequence.

Have you failed a psychology subject?

Mid-year entry students, and students who have failed a first semester subject, should note that the first semester subject in each year level is NOT a prerequisite for the second semester subject. That is, students may enrol in PSY1022 without having completed PSY1011, or PSY2022 without PSY2011, etc.

However satisfactory completion of both semesters of first year psychology is a prerequisite for entry to second year psychology subjects; likewise satisfactory completion of both semesters of second year is a prerequisite for enrolling in third year core subjects.