The normal requirement for admission to the honours program is completion of courses to the value of 144 units, including a minimum of 72 units in psychology as follows:

PSYC1001A or PSYC1003
PSYC1001B or PSYC1004
PSYC2001
PSYC2002
PSYC2007
PSYC2008
PSYC2009 (or equivalent)
PSYC3026 or PSYC2004
PSYC3018
Plus at least three other Group C psychology courses

These restrictions are imposed to ensure that all fourth year students have been exposed to a suitably wide range of areas of psychology in line with the requirements for accreditation of the courses by the Australian Psychological Society. 

Study in a later-year course in a cognate area might sometimes be substituted for a later-year course in psychology. All applications for substitution of such cognate courses must be approved by the Head of the Department prior to application for admission to the honours program. The minimum requirements for admission to the honours program in the College are set out in the College's introductory section in this Handbook. However, the Research School of Psychology has the additional expectation that applicants for admission to the honours program have at least an average grade of Credit across all psychology courses undertaken, as well as in any courses which might be substituted for psychology courses. It should be noted that, as a general rule, full-time enrolment in honours is preferred. Intending BA honours students should read 'The degree with honours' sub-section of the preamble to the description of Arts Departments. Requirements for the BA degree with honours in psychology are similar to those outlined above for intending BSc honours students, but the requirement for a minimum number of units in psychology is more stringent. Substitution of cognate courses requires formal approval by both the Director of the Research School of Psychology and the College of Arts and Social Sciences and will only be given in exceptional circumstances.

The student aiming at a career in psychology should be aware that eligibility for associate membership or full membership of the Australian Psychological Society may be required for some types of employment. The Society insists that candidates for associate membership have taken at least four years of university training, of which half must be devoted to psychology. Full membership requires two further years of training in psychology.

During fourth year, honours candidates work solely in the area of psychology. The work comprises coursework and research. Each of these contributes 50% to the overall program grade.

Coursework:

Honours students complete three courses comprising two compulsory courses on research methods and evidence based assessment and intervention and one titled ‘Theory in Psychology’.

Research Work:

Research thesis (maximum 12,000 words). The thesis reports an empirical investigation of a topic in psychology. The student is responsible for the design and execution of all phases of the project however he/she works with the support of a supervisor. The report is submitted in a publishable form that follows APA style guidelines.