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This course is suited to students who wish to progress to postgraduate studies, for example Masters and doctoral courses in clinical, organisational and counselling psychology, and the PhD.

This Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) course combines a thorough grounding in the general theoretical and disciplinary aspects of psychology with advanced coverage of research design and practice. The course covers all relevant parts of the psychology curriculum to provide a balanced and comprehensive appreciation of psychology from all major perspectives. In addition, students will be introduced to cutting edge research across different areas of psychology, and will have an opportunity to work in a real-life research setting before carrying out a research project in the fourth year under individual supervision.

• Duration
• Employment Prospects
• Admission Requirements
• Special Requirements
• Professional Requirements
• FAQ
• Course Structure
• Minors

Duration

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Minors

Minors are available in developmental, health, organisational, social psychology and elective units in psychological research are particularly recommended.

A thesis based on empirical research represents half of the fourth-year work.

Employment Prospects

Psychology degrees will be of special interest not only those desiring to enter the psychology profession, but also to students envisaging employment and careers in fields which require a good understanding of human behaviour. Such careers may include education, ergonomics and human resource management.

Admission Requirements

Direct entry into the first year of this course requires a TER of 90 or above, or equivalent based on academic or professional background which demonstrates reseach potential and which will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the School of Psychology.

Special Requirements

Students undertaking this course will be subject to additional academic progress rules. Students entering into the fourth year of this course will be required to have maintained a Distinction (70%) average for all psychology core units undertaken. Students not complying with this requirement will be required to transfer to the BPsych (4 year) course or BA (Psych).

All students in the Psychology undergraduate course intending to complete a 4th year in Psychology are required to complete 5 hours of research participation for each fulltime year of study of part-time equivalent prior to their enrolment in the 4th year of the Honours or BPsych research projects. The participation required will therefore total 15 hours for 3 years of study prior to the Honours or BPsych project.

Professional Requirements

All Murdoch University Psychology degrees taught wholly at Murdoch are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and recognised by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). However, students transferring from another university must ensure that the study they completed previously, when combined with their study at Murdoch University, meets the requirements of the relevant psychology registration board for equivalence to an accredited 4 year Australian degree in psychology.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When can I apply for Honours?
A. There are two transfer points between the BPsych and BPsych (Honours) degrees: at the end of 1st year (at the end of the semester in which all Part 1 units are completed) or at the end of 3rd year (at the end of the semester in which all Part 2 units are completed).
Please note: students who transfer to Honours at the end of 1st year must still maintain a Distinction average to remain in the Honours program for 4th year (that is, transferring after 1st year does not guarantee a place in Honours if the academic achievement required for entry to Honours at 4th year is not maintained).

Q. How do I apply for Honours?
A. If you are a Murdoch psychology student, you apply for Honours by requesting a transfer from the BPsych to the BPsych (Honours) degrees.  Transfer request forms are available HERE.
If you have completed a three-year degree in Psychology at another institution, you can apply for the BA (Hons) in Psychology. This involves exactly the same study at 4th year as the BPsych (Honours).  Application forms can be found HERE.

Q. What is the deadline for applications (transfers and new applications)?
A. For study beginning in Semester 1, applications close end of November of the previous year. For study beginning in Semester 2, applications close on July 15.

Q. What are the criteria for getting into Honours?
A. A distinction average across Psychology units taken is required for entry into Honours.

Q. Do I need to have academic referees for my application?
A. No.

Q. Do I need to have a supervisor for my project before I apply for Honours?
A. No. Although you are welcome to talk informally to potential supervisors about possible projects, the School of Psychology does not make any formal arrangements about supervision until after students have been accepted into Honours.

Q. What is the difference between the BPsych (Honours) and the BPsych degree?
A. Up until the end of 3rd year, the two programs are quite similar: the difference is that there are two research preparation units (PSY2XX and PSY3XX) that are only available to students enrolled in the BPsych (Honours).
In the 4th year, the two programs are quite different.  The Honours program is more focused on the development of independent research skills and is generally the preferred preparation for post-graduate study.
In the BPsych (Honours), students complete an individual research thesis under the supervision of a member of academic staff (12 points).  They also complete three 4-point coursework units; the compulsory Honours seminar, and two electives chosen from a selection of 4th year units.
In the BPsych, students complete a group research project with a group of about 5 other students (8 points). They also complete four 4-point coursework units; the compulsory BPsych seminar, and three electives chose from a selection of 4th year units.

Course Structure - 96 points

A Foundation Unit - 3 pts
For further information, refer to the Foundation Units section in the Handbook.

Core - 9points
PSY141 - Introduction to Psychological Science (Murdoch S1 S2; Rockingham S1)
PSY171 - Introduction to Applications of Psychology (Murdoch S1 S2; Rockingham S2)
PSY173 - Introduction to Psychological Research Methods (Murdoch S1, S2)

Recommended Elective - 3 points
PSY172 - Introduction to Psychological Health and Wellbeing (Murdoch S2)
Otherwise select from any 100-level units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites. Students are advised to consider using these points to meet the requirements of a second major, or minor in Developmental, Health, Organisational or Social Psychology.

Core - 28 points
PSY213 - Psychology: Abnormal Behaviour (4pts, Murdoch S1)
PSY351 - Psychology: Biological Bases of Behaviour (4pts, Murdoch S1)
PSY247 - Psychology: Human Development (4pts, Murdoch S1)
PSY353 - Psychology: Cognitive Processes (4pts, Murdoch S2)
PSY248 - Psychology: Social Bases of Behaviour (4pts, Murdoch S2)
PSY212 - Psychology: Measurement, Design, and Analysis (4pts, Murdoch S2)

PLUS AT LEAST ONE OF
PSY311- Psychology: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (4pts, Murdoch S1)
PSY315 - Psychology: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (4pts, Murdoch S2)

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Specified Electives - 16pts
Select from the following units to include the requirements of at least one of the Psychology minors. (Students are recommended to select the research units).

Research Units

PSY250 - Psychology: Research Topics in Psychology (4 pts, Murdoch, NA 2009)
PSY380 - Psychology: Research Placement (4pts, Murdoch NA 2009)

Developmental
PSY249 - Psychology: The Developing Mind
PSY356 - Psychology: Family Relations and Social Development

Health Psychology
PSY215 - Psychology: Drugs and Dependency
PSY358 - Psychology: Sensory Abilities & Disabilities

Organisational Psychology
PSY217 - Psychology: Work and Organisations
PSY357 - Psychology: Safety, Errors and Accidents

Social Psychology
PSY218 - Psychology: Self & Society
PSY246 - Psychology: Culture & Community

Optional Specified Elective
PSY252 Special Topics in Psychology (topic not currently offered)

General Electives - 4 points
Select from any 200-400-level units offered by the University, subject to individual unit prerequisites.

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Additional Academic Progess Requirements

Students entering into the 4th year of this course will be required to have maintained a minimum of Distinction (70%) average for all psychology core units undertaken. Students not complying with this requirement will be required to tranfer to the BPsych (4 year) course or Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

Thesis - 12 points
PSY4039 Honours Thesis in Psychology - (12pts, Murdoch, S1-internal, S2-internal, Y-internal)

Coursework - 12points
PSY411 Psychology: Honours Seminar - (4pts Murdoch, S1-internal)

Plus 2 elective units comprising :

PSY431 Psychology: Principles of Psychological Assessment (4pts Murdoch, S1-internal)
OR
PSY433 Psychology: Program Evaluation Methods (4pts Murdoch, S1-internal)

AND
PSY434 Psychology: Industrial and Organisational Issues (4pts Murdoch, S2-internal)
OR
PSY436 Psychology: Principle and Processes of Interventions (4pts Murdoch, S2-internal)

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