Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)

Course information for - 2024 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
ACU code
1220002771
ATAR
New
Fees (first year)*

$8944 CSP

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2024
Applications open August 2023
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available

Overview

The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) is a one-year degree for high-achieving students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree that included an APAC accredited three-year sequence in psychology.

Students in this honours degree will:

  • learn more about neuropsychology and personality assessment tools as well as evidence-based approaches to psychological interventions
  • delve into professional issues and ethics as well as practical issues such as interviewing, report writing, supervision and case preparation
  • gain experience in researching human behaviour. This includes all steps of the research process from formulating research questions and hypotheses to data collection, analysis and detailed reporting of research findings.

A psychological science honours degree will give you an edge in an increasingly competitive job market.

The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) will also equip you for further study at a higher degree level.

Careers

After completing the course our graduates have pursued careers in diverse areas such as research, child welfare and protection, community work, marketing and market research, health, education, human resources. Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) may be eligible to apply for further study in psychology, including Masters degrees and higher degrees, including a Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy. Those who complete further studies in psychology have registered as practicing psychologist or have pursued careers in the area of psychological research. 


Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Specified UnitsPSYC424Research Methods10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC429Assessment in Psychological Practice: Foundation Skills and Professional Issues10 cp
  • Thesis UnitsPSYC410Honours Thesis A20 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC427Advanced Topics in Psychology10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC430Psychological Interventions: Theory, Foundational Strategies and Professional Issues10 cp
  • Thesis UnitsPSYC421Honours Thesis B

    (Pre: PSYC410)

    20 cp

All units are delivered in campus attendance mode unless otherwise indicated in the map.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Bachelor Honours - AQF Level 8

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible to apply for admission to the Honours degree course, a student must have completed, within the last five years, a Bachelor degree including

  1. an accredited three year sequence in Psychology;
  2. with a GPA of at least 5.5 on the ACU seven point scale; and
  3. distinction level or above in a total of at least four (4) of the second or third year Psychology units.


International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2024 Admission.

View transparency admission information

Applicants with higher education study

Applicants must have completed, within the last five years, a Bachelor degree including:

  1. an accredited three-year sequence in psychology;
  2. with a GPA equivalent of at least 5.5 on the ACU seven point scale; and
  3. distinction level or above in a total of at least 4 second or third year Psychology units.

If the Bachelor degree was completed outside of Australia, applicants must seek an ‘Assessment of Overseas Qualifications’ from the Australian Psychological Society (APS) to confirm that it is equivalent to an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) three-year sequence in psychology. Evidence of this must be submitted with the application.

Applicants must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy and require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 7.0 (with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

English language requirements

Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 7.0 (with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (see English Language Proficiency).

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

Students who complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) may be eligible to apply for the Master of Professional Psychology, the Master of Psychology (Clinical) or the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) offered at ACU, or a range of other postgraduate courses in psychology.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$8944 CSP

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships  

How to apply

Deferment

No deferment available.

Staff Profile

Dr Megan Willis

Senior Lecturer, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

Dr Megan Willis joined ACU in 2012 as a lecturer in psychology in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences. Her PhD research was conducted under the supervision of Dr Romina Palermo at Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science and explored the cognitive and neural mechanisms involved in processing emotional expressions and using emotional expressions to guide social judgements.

Dr Willis’ primary research interests are in social cognition, emotion processing and cognitive neuropsychology. Her research has focused on understanding the cognitive and neural mechanisms involved in processing emotional expressions and making social judgements. She also aims to uncover the reasons why certain people have difficulties recognising the emotional expressions of others and using emotional expressions to guide their social judgements. This research has primarily employed cognitive neuropsychological, electrophysiological and behavioural techniques.

Dr Xochitl De la Piedad Garcia

Senior Lecturer, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

Dr Xochitl De La Piedad Garcia received her Undergrad with Honours degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 1997. She then moved to the USA, where she studied a PhD in Experimental Psychology at Stony Brook University, under the supervision of the brilliant Howie Rachlin. In 2002 Dr De La Piedad Garcia and worked as a Post-doctoral Research Associate in the Judgment, Decision and Choice Laboratory at Stony Brook until 2004.

Joining ACU in 2007, Dr De La Piedad Garcia has taught statistics in first, third and fourth year, Learning and Behaviour in second year, and Cognitive Psychology in third. She is also the Course Coordinator for the 4th year courses and has supervised over 30 honours students and been principal or co-supervisor for over 10 PhD students. Supervision is her passion, as it brings together her love of teaching and research, and the joy of working with other people.

 

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