Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Overview

Understand the human mind and how it drives behaviour. La Trobe's Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) will help you become a professional psychologist, build a career in a psychology related field or pursue research. In your first three years, you'll develop strong analytical, research and communication skills, studying foundational subjects that … For more content click the Read more button below. You'll also study the work of professional psychologists and have the option to take a subject on autism-spectrum disorders taught by specialists from the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre. In fourth year, you'll complete a research project to round out your studies.* Reasons to study psychology at La TrobeEligible students will access field-placement opportunities through our partnership with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.Our Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).**Learn from world leading academics such as Professor Cheryl Dissanayake, founding director of Australia's first centre for autism spectrum research.* Automatic progression to fourth year in this course requires a minimum weighted average mark of 70%. More information on weightings can be found in the La Trobe University Handbook. Students who do not meet this standard may apply for competitive entry into Honours or graduate with our Bachelor of Psychological Science qualification ** Professional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia will require an APAC-accredited fourth year and additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree as well as an application to the professional body. Please contact the relevant professional body for details. Membership may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond completion of the degree.

Understand the human mind and how it drives behaviour.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) will help you become a professional psychologist, build a career in a psychology related field or pursue research.

In your first three years, you'll develop strong analytical, research and communication skills, studying foundational subjects that include clinical and health psychology, developmental and social psychology, psychological assessment, intervention and research. Choose from elective subjects with a choice of minor sequences in Human Relationships and Neuroscience giving you the flexibility to work towards the career you want. You can also complement your degree with legal studies, business, management, marketing, sociology, science, genetics, language, drama, media studies and more.

You'll also study the work of professional psychologists and have the option to take a subject on autism-spectrum disorders taught by specialists from the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre. In fourth year, you'll complete a research project to round out your studies.*

Reasons to study psychology at La Trobe

Eligible students will access field-placement opportunities through our partnership with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.
Our Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).**
Learn from world leading academics such as Professor Cheryl Dissanayake, founding director of Australia's first centre for autism spectrum research.

* Automatic progression to fourth year in this course requires a minimum weighted average mark of 70%. More information on weightings can be found in the La Trobe University Handbook. Students who do not meet this standard may apply for competitive entry into Honours or graduate with our Bachelor of Psychological Science qualification

** Professional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia will require an APAC-accredited fourth year and additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree as well as an application to the professional body. Please contact the relevant professional body for details. Membership may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond completion of the degree.

Portfolio

Office of the Provost

School

Course coordinator

Matthew Hale

Location(s)

Bendigo

Course instance contact

Matthew Hale

Course duration (full time)

4 years

Study level

Undergraduate

AQF level

Level 8 – Bachelor Degree Honours

Available only as an exit award

Study options

Domestic

Completion requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), students must complete 480 credit points consisting of: 300 core credit points The remaining 180 credit points can be completed in several ways, for example Electives One major and one minor One major and electives Up to two minors and … For more content click the Read more button below.

Additional explanatory information

The course allows you to complete a major or minor which can be selected from the open-access major and minor list. Recommended Psychology minors are:

Neuroscience
Human relationships

Course structure
480 credit points

Level one120 credit points

Core60 credit points

Electives or major or minor30 credit points

Elective or minor30 credit points

Level two120 credit points

Core60 credit points

Electives or major or minor30 credit points

Electives or minor30 credit points

Level three120 credit points

Capstone30 credit points

Core30 credit points

Electives or major60 credit points

Level four120 credit points

Students eligible to proceed automatically to an Honours year must have achieved a 70% weighted average mark across the Level one, Level two and Level three subjects.

Core120 credit points

Recommended electives

Course intended learning outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:

Acquire, assess, and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts

Collect, analyse, and evaluate information and ideas and solve problems using a scientific approach

Demonstrate awareness of cultural differences and show sensitivity to the diversity across people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, when applying knowledge and skills of psychology

Analyse and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate effectively in written and oral formats

Distinguish appropriate values and ethics in psychology

Employ interpersonal skills and teamwork

Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a field of study in psychology

Identify and critically evaluate the principles underpinning evidence-based assessment of personality and intelligence, including administering and interpreting commonly used psychological assessment instruments with well-developed judgement

Choose suitable methodologies to address psychological questions, and analyse and interpret data appropriately to draw conclusions

10.

Justify the roles and responsibilities of psychologists in terms of ethical and legal issues, and professional conduct

11.

Conduct research projects that include review of empirical literature, appropriate research design and methodology, suitable data collection and proper analysis and interpretation of findings

12.

Communicate professionally, both orally and in writing, with peers and the community

Course features

Work based learning (placement) requirements

Elective placement opportunities (Work Based Learning)
During this course, you will have the opportunity to participate in a Work Based Learning (WBL) placement experience, designed to allow you to extend your formal academic learning beyond the classroom. The WBL experience will provide the opportunity to bring your learning from the university into a work environment and test out your knowledge in a professional real-world environment. Some courses include compulsory WBL subjects, however, we also offer a range of elective WBL subjects, both cross-discipline and subject-specific. La Trobe University will source placements for some subjects, while others will require you to source your own placement. If you are required to source your own placement, dedicated staff will guide and support you through the process. Elective WBL subjects generally involve an application process and Subject Coordinator approval. The location and number of hours undertaken can vary considerably depending on the activity and the discipline area. Please refer to the individual subject entries for more information. Regional students are eligible to access additional support under the Regional Reward program

Work integrated learning opportunities
A course that integrates theory with the practice of work.

Industry informed curriculum

Career outcomes

As a graduate, you'll have flexible pathways toward careers as a: clinical psychologist, counsellor, public health worker, child protection officer, rehabilitation worker, youth worker, human resources officer, marketer, art therapist, drug and alcohol services worker, corrections worker, strategic communications officer and more.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Professional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia will require an APAC-accredited fourth year and additional or ongoing requirements beyond the completion of the degree as well as an application to the professional body. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) may apply for membership with the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Membership may be subject to additional or ongoing requirements beyond completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details.

Handbook