Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours)
Course handbook
General Information
Overview
Develop advanced, independent research skills and work towards a career as a professional psychologist or academic researcher with the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours).
If you’ve already completed an accredited Australian Psychology undergraduate degree, then this qualification is for you.
The skills you’ll learn will further prepare you for postgraduate studies in specialist areas including: clinical psychology, organisational psychology, sports psychology, or a career in research.
Study structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 100 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.
Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Advanced Quantitative Methods
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
PSY40001 |
|
Honours Thesis B
Core unit , 25.0 credit points |
PSY40002 |
|
Ethical and Professional Issues
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
PSY40005 |
|
Psychological Assessment
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
PSY40006 |
|
Counselling Psychology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
PSY40008 |
|
Honours Thesis A
Core unit , 25.0 credit points |
PSY40009 |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours), graduates will be able to:
- Explain key theories and methods, and underpinnings of scientific psychology.
- Communicate and interact effectively in contexts relevant to professional and clinical psychology, and the conduct of psychological research.
- Explain principles for the development and selection of valid and use-appropriate psychological tests, and apply practical knowledge of administration and interpretation of psychological tests.
- Explain and apply basic assessment techniques and strategies for psychological practice.
- Explain the principles and application of basic psychological interventions.
- Work with a high degree of independence to design, conduct, evaluate, and report original research.
- Apply psychological concepts, theories, and methods in a manner that is science-based and ethical, showing awareness of local, Indigenous, and other cultural contexts and values.
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) (BH-PSYSC), students must complete 100 credit points comprising of:
- Four mandatory psychology coursework units (50 cps)
- Two mandatory thesis units (50 cps)
Where the course is studied part-time, typically coursework is completed in the first year and the thesis units completed in the second year.
An overall course grade is calculated as the weighted (by cps) average of all six units.
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) is 25 credit points (normally two units).
Professional Recognition
The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and is a step on the path to becoming a registered psychologist.
Admission criteria
Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.
Interested in the Psychological Sciences (Honours)?
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