Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours)
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Honours)
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Honours)

Note: The three courses are identical in content. The course of enrolment is determined by the Bachelor degree completed.

Please visit Deakin University's Courses website for detailed information about the Psychology Honours course. For information relating to Honours applications, please view Future Students website for additional requirements for the Faculty of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What do I need to apply for Honours and how do I apply?
2. Is the course covered by HECS?
3. What is the difference between Honours and the Graduate Diploma of Psychology?
4. On which campus/es is the course offered?
5. How many places are offered?
6. Are places offered to non-Deakin undergraduate students?
7. How do I arrange a supervisor for my Honours year?
8. What sort of research are the staff involved in?
9. When will I hear the result of my application into Honours?
10. Can the course be studied part-time?
11. Are there classes at night?
12. Do I need to have previous work experience?
13. Is the course accredited by the Australian Psychological Society and the Psychology Board of Australia?
14. Can I go on to further studies in psychology?

1. What do I need to apply for Honours and how do I apply?

   To be eligible to apply for Honours in Psychology, applicants must have completed an extended major in psychology at Deakin University (or equivalent), accredited by the Australian Psychological Society, which consists of ten credit points of psychology (out of the 24 credit points required for an undergraduate degree): two at Level 1, four at Level 2, and four at Level 3. The extended major must include the Level 2 and 3 research methods units offered by the School of Psychology, and psychological testing and measurement, or equivalent. In past years, successful applicants have obtained at least a mid-credit level (65%) in the Level 3 research methods unit, and at least a 75 to 80% average across the best three Level 3 psychology units attempted, excluding the Level 3 research methods unit. There is a quota on places in the Psychology Honours program and meeting the above criteria does not guarantee acceptance into Psychology Honours.
   
   To apply, go to the online applicant portal at http://applicantportal.deakin.edu.au/connect/webconnect and follow the prompts.

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2. Is the course covered by HECS?

   Yes, Honours in Psychology is a HECS-based course. Information about HECS fees is available on Deakin's fees website.

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3. What is the difference between Honours and the Graduate Diploma of Psychology?

   Apart from the fee-basis (Honours is HECS-based, Graduate Diploma is full-fee-paying), the Honours is a little more research-based in orientation. Both Honours and the Graduate Diploma include Ethics and Conceptual Issues, Counselling and Interpersonal Skills, Psychological Assessment, and Research Methods. Both are APS-accredited, and both allow graduates to seek registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) as a probationary psychologist. The two major differences are in coursework and the research component. With regard to coursework, the Graduate Diploma includes two additional modules on areas of Applied Psychology.  For the research component, Honours students complete an individual thesis under one-to-one supervision, whereas Graduate Diploma students complete their theses in small groups under a supervisor.  Graduate Diploma students are allocated to thesis projects on the basis of their stated preferences from a range of project areas that vary from year to year, whereas Honours students work on an individual project, selected in agreement with their supervisor.

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4. On which campus/es is the course offered?

   Honours is offered in on-campus mode on both the Geelong Waterfront Campus and the Melbourne Campus at Burwood. It is not offered in off-campus mode.

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5. How many places are offered?

   There are usually around 50 places across both campuses, however this depends on the availability of supervisors in any given year.

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6. Are places offered to non-Deakin undergraduate students?

   Applicants from institutions other than Deakin University should note that while preference is given to Deakin students, some places may be made available to outstanding external applicants.

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7. How do I arrange a supervisor for my Honours year?

   Students who are made an offer of a place into Psychology Honours receive, with their letter of offer, a list of staff available for supervision in the forthcoming year, together with the staff members' contact details, and their areas of research interest. Successful applicants are then able to approach the staff to discuss thesis topics, and engage their supervisor.

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8. What sort of research are the staff involved in?

   Not all staff will be available for Honours supervision and a list of available supervisors will be sent out with the letters of offer to successful applicants into Honours. Only successful Honours applicants should approach staff, and they should contact only those supervisors who are available on the campus on which the student's Honours place is offered, and only those who still have supervision places available. This list will be regularly updated to reflect the current availability of staff as they sign up students for supervision.

   Please note that there are only as many offers made into Honours as there are available supervisors, so there is a supervisor available for every student offered a place.

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9. When will I hear the result of my application into Honours?

   First-round offers are generally made in mid to late December. Further offers may be made if some first-round offers are declined.

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10. Can the course be studied part-time?

    Honours is offered only on a full-time basis, however successful applicants may be considered for part-time study.

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11. Are there classes at night?

    No, all classes are offered in the day (although some may extend into the early evening).

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12. Do I need to have previous work experience?

    No, successful entry into Honours is based on academic results and work experience is not necessary.

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13. Is the course accredited by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA)?

    Yes, both bodies recognise the Honours. Thus, at present, upon completion of the course, students may apply for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Registration Board. After the completion of two years of approved supervised practice or postgraduate studies, the provisional registration may be changed to full registration.  Information about any updates to these requirements is available on the Psychology Board of Australia website.

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14. Can I go on to further studies in psychology?

    Honours is acceptable as a fourth year for the purposes of applying for the professional programs offered by Deakin (Master and Doctoral degrees, by coursework or research).We understand that it is also acceptable for the purposes of applying for similar programs at other universities, but prospective students should confirm this with each university to which they are likely to apply after completing Honours.

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