Program summary
Program overview
Entry requirements
Program structure
Program requirements and notes
Enquiries

Program summary

Award abbreviation: BSocSc(Psych)(Hons)
Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Mode of study: on campus
Fee type: Commonwealth supported places, domestic fee-paying places
Program code: AR403
Commence: Semester 1
CRICOS code: not available to international students on student visas

Program overview

The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honours) program includes:

• advanced study of core psychological theories and methods
• training in the application and interpretation of commonly used cognitive and personality assessments and in evidence-based approaches to psychological intervention,
• a comprehensive introduction to ethical standards in professional practice and to legislation that governs the practice of Psychology in Australia
• a research dissertation

To demonstrate competence and independence in psychological research, students undertake a substantial research project under supervision and submit their report in the form of an honours dissertation, which meets the standards that normally expected of research at the honours level.

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) (Honours) allows graduates to seek registration as a psychologist with probationary conditions with the Psychologists Board of Queensland. Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) (Honours) are also eligible to apply for entry into specialist postgraduate training programs in Psychology, such as the Master of Psychology (Clinical), and research higher degrees in Psychology such as a PhD.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for admission to the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) (Psychology) are:

• completion of an APAC accredited three-year undergraduate degree in psychology within the last 10 years, and
• a minimum GPA of 5.0 in all psychology courses taken as part of, or credited toward, the degree

There is a limit on the number of honours places available and selection will be based on applicants’ undergraduate Psychology GPA.

Program structure

Students must successfully complete the following courses totalling 96 units in order to be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) (Psychology):

Coursework component

PSY400 Advanced Statistics in Psychology
PSY401 Advanced Theoretical Issues in Psychology
PSY402 Professional Practice of Psychology
PSY403 Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychology

Dissertation component

PSY404 Research Dissertation A (24 units)
PSY405 Research Dissertation B (24 units)

Program requirements and notes

Enrolment and fees

• In any semester, standard full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL
• In any semester, standard part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL. Students enrolling part-time in the award must complete the coursework components before enrolling in the dissertation
• The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date
• Commonwealth supported students pay student contributions
• Students who are not Commonwealth supported pay full tuition fees

EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.

Assessment and examination

All coursework is normally graded internally. Assessment work involves a combination of short reports, essays, class presentations, class tests and examinations.

The dissertation will be examined by two independent examiners, one of whom is normally internal and the other of whom is external to this University.

Other notes

1. Refer to the Academic Rules.
2. Refer to explanation of terms.
3. International students need to refer to the English language requirements.
4. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.

Classes of honours

The degree is awarded in one of the three classes:
Class 1
Class 2 (Class 2 honours is awarded as Division 1 or Division 2)
Class 3

How to apply

Apply for an honours program

Enquiries

Professor Graham Davidson
School of Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5459 4481
Email: GDavidso@usc.edu.au

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