Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2025 course information

Award granted Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Deakin course codeH345
Course version2
Faculty

Faculty of Health

Course Information

For students who commenced from 2015 to 2022

Campus

Campus of offer for students who commence prior to 2023.

Duration

4 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Course available to local students only

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course offered to continuing students only. The final intake to this course version was in Trimester 3 2022.

Students should contact a Student Adviser in Student Central for course, course map and enrolment information.

 

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Study the mind and its processes, behaviour and mental states with Deakin's Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). An honours year is included in this four-year degree, distinguishing it from our other psychology courses. Honours includes practical training that prepares you for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and sets you on the pathway to general registration.

Deakin is the only Victorian university where you can study specialist psychology majors during your undergraduate degree. This allows you to learn more about what you are passionate about sooner. Apply your new skills in the real world with professional placements that strengthen your employment prospects and provide 140 hours of valuable industry experience. In your honours year, you will complete an individual research project and undertake advanced studies in counselling, psychological assessment, ethics and research methods.

Do you want to become an expert in human behaviour, personality and emotion, and use those skills to help people?

Psychology is about understanding the underlying mental processes and factors behind human behaviour. This course will equip you with the skills and strategies to be able to help people, no matter which area of psychology you pursue.

This degree differs to the Bachelor of Psychological Science and the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), as it has an honours¹ year embedded in the course. When you graduate, you’ll have the option of two distinct paths – further study in pursuit of general registration as a psychologist, or employment that doesn’t require registration, such as:

  • counselling
  • social work
  • youth work
  • careers counselling
  • life counselling
  • mental health rehabilitation
  • marketing
  • social research
  • human resources management
  • developmental psychology.

During the course, you can select a specialist major in Child and Family, Organisational Studies or Forensic Studies. In addition to your chosen major sequence, you will cover a number of broad areas of psychology, including:

  • behavioural and clinical neuroscience
  • child and adolescent psychology
  • cognitive psychology
  • forensic psychology
  • psychopathology
  • relationships and the psychology of groups

As a graduate, you will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist, as well as APAC-accredited masters or doctoral-level training programs that lead to full registration as a psychologist, including:

Deakin’s School of Psychology is one of the largest and most progressive psychology departments in Australia. The School has strong partnerships with industry, including collaborative activities with government agencies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities. These partnerships ensure your degree remains relevant to industry and workforce needs. You will be in high demand by employers who want graduates that are ready to face challenges with confidence.

¹ There is a quota on honours places and successful applicants must achieve at least a mid-credit (65%) for Research Methods B and a sufficient mark for their remaining level-2 and level-3 psychology core units.

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

All of the psychology courses offered at Deakin meet the requirements of The Psychology Board of Australia, translating into excellent job and career opportunities for our graduates. Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

The Psychology Board of Australia is retiring the 4 plus 2 internship pathway. The last date to commence the internship part of this program is 30 June 2022. Any current students enrolled in a Deakin undergraduate psychology course who will graduate from their fourth (honours) year before this date, and meet the criteria set out by the board, may still be able to complete the 2 year internship. Any students that commenced their Deakin undergraduate psychology course from 2020 onwards, will be unable to complete this specific pathway to general registration. For the most up to date information on the internship pathway, and other pathways to general registration, visit https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/ .

Career opportunities

If you are ready to take your psychology career further, the option to become a fully registered psychologist is available by undertaking a master’s or doctorate qualification in psychology.

If you choose to pursue full registration as a psychologist, you may find employment in a variety of roles, including:

  • clinical psychologist
  • cognitive neuroscientist
  • counsellor
  • criminal psychologist
  • educational and developmental psychologist
  • family therapist
  • forensic psychologist
  • health and community psychologist
  • mental health officer
  • organisational psychologist
  • rehabilitation counsellor
  • sport and exercise psychologist
  • youth psychologist.

The contexts in which you work may include:

  • private clinics and practices
  • public and private hospitals
  • business corporate organisations
  • schools and universities
  • government departments and agencies
  • community sporting clubs and institutes
  • various social research organisations.

If your passion is not to complete further study to become a registered psychologist, there are still many diverse career options available, including child protection, family support, human services, marketing and communications, not-for-profit aid, public health, social work and youth work.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.

Registration as a Psychologist

The current requirements for registration as a provisional psychologist include the completion of four years of academic study of psychology that is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. The academic program usually consists of an approved undergraduate psychology sequence followed by an approved fourth-year of study, such as Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology or honours in psychology.

Following successful completion of an approved fourth-year of psychology study, you may apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) can lead directly to provisional registration provided the honours year is completed within this four-year course.

In order to gain full registration, provisional psychologists must then complete either two years of supervised practice, or a minimum two years of further study, which may include: Master of Psychology, Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (with supervised practice completed outside the degree).

Note: This course is currently accredited as at the date of publishing.

Alternative exits

Bachelor of Psychological Science (H344)
Diploma of Health (H200)

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality. Demonstrate understanding of advanced knowledge (theoretical, empirical and practical) in the areas of psychological assessment, counselling, advanced research methods and research practice.

Communication

Demonstrate clear written and oral communication skills in order to convey complex psychological knowledge and ideas to laypeople and professionals.

Digital literacy

Apply advanced skills to select appropriate digital tools to source, interpret, adapt, collate, analyse and disseminate discipline specific information in psychology to a variety of audiences relevant to pre-professional practice of psychology.

Critical thinking

Competence in the design and conduct of research, critically evaluate, synthesise and integrate complex scientific evidence, and apply this knowledge to assessment, counselling and case management that demonstrate evidence-based pre-professional practice in the field of psychology.

Problem solving

Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry and the scientific approach to solve problems related to research and applied skills (psychological assessment, counselling and case-management) in the field of psychology.

Self-management

Display high level self-management through reflection, continual improvement and learning that reinforces the importance of responsibility and accountability for pre-professional development in the field of psychology.

Teamwork

Communicate effectively in a variety of formats and in a variety of contexts with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and teams.

Global citizenship

Demonstrate, report and apply ethical principles to understand how to work productively in the field of psychology within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts by collaborating and communicating in a self-reflective and culturally sensitive manner.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) students must pass 32 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate: 

  • HAI010 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
  • 20 credit points of Psychology units including:
    • 4 credit points of core level 1 Psychology units
    • 4 credit points of core level 2 Psychology  units
    • 4 credit points of core level 3 Psychology  units
  • In addition the following three electives must be completed
    • ONE HPS2XX or ONE HPS3XX elective
    • ONE HPS3XX elective
    • ONE HPS3XX or ONE (Health elective) H%3XX
  • 8 credit points of Psychology Honours units
  • a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
  • Students must complete a minimum of 7 credit points at each level
  • A maximum of 8 credit points (electives) may be taken outside the Faculty of Health
  • a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a place in the Psychology Honours program, students will have:

  1. Completed the first 3 levels of the course (i.e., they will have achieved 24 credit points)
  2. achieve a minimum of 65% in Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)
  3. achieve a minimum of 80% or above across the Psychology Essentials units (8 units including Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)). Entry will also be determined by the availability of supervisors and resources

The 80% cut-off may vary, depending on the availability of Honours places. Students who meet the selection cut-off, and successfully complete the Honours year, will graduate with one-degree H345 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). Failure to meet the above WAM requirements will result in an alternative exit from H345 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) with a degree of H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science provided the student meets the course requirements of H344. Students who have taken an alternative exit of H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science may apply for entry to the less competitive fee-paying alternative to Honours: H650 Graduate Diploma of Psychology. Students who do not wish to complete the honours year may also opt for the H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science alternative exit.

Majors

The following majors are available within the Bachelor of Psychological Science

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

Course structure

Core units

Level 1 - Trimester 1

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin '(0 credit points)' replaces HAI010*

HPS104Foundations of Psychological Science

HPS105Foundations of Psychological Practice

HPS111Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour

plus one level 1 elective unit from any discipline

Level 1 - Trimester 2

HPS121Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development ^

HBS110Health Psychology (Behaviour Change) *

plus two level 1 elective units from any discipline

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HPS203Cognitive Psychology

HPS204Social Psychology

HPY210Applied Counselling Skills (Introductory)

plus two level 2 elective units from psychology or any discipline

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HPS201Psychology Research Methods (Introductory)

HPS202Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)

plus one level 2 or level 3 HPS psychology elective unit AND one elective unit

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HPS301Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)

HPS310Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour)

plus one level 3 HPS psychology elective unit and one level 3 elective unit

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HPS307Personality Psychology

HPS308Psychopathology

plus one level 3 HPS psychology elective unit OR one level 3 health elective unit

AND

one level 3 elective unit

Level 4 - Trimester 1

HPS431Principles of Psychological Assessment

HPS432Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

HPS435Research Project A

Level 4 - Trimester 2

HPS433Applied Counselling Skills (Advanced)

HPS434Psychology Research Methods (Advanced)

HPS436Research Project B

Note: for Psychology Fourth year admission (Honours or equivalent), students are assessed on the weighted average mark (WAM) of Psychology Essentials.

*HAI010 Academic Integrity (no longer available for enrolment, replacement unit DAI001)

Elective units

Psychology Course Electives

Three of the 11 elective units must be chosen from the psychology units listed below - one from level 2 or level 3 and two from level 3.

Trimester 1

HPS209Cross Cultural and Indigenous Psychology

HPS226Health Psychology (Chronic Illness)

HPS302Developmental Psychology (Adult)

HPS325Health Psychology (Addiction)

Trimester 2

HPS206Forensic Psychology

HPS304Social Psychology (Advanced)

HPS395Biological Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience)

Start anytime

HPS328Psychology At Work (Internship)

students may choose to take elective units in other disciplines

The remaining eight electives may include other psychology units such as:

HPY210Applied Counselling Skills (Introductory)

Work experience

As part of this course, you will also be given the opportunity to undertake preparation for work and work placement elective units as well as elective units designed to develop your counselling skills.

Details of major sequences

Forensic Studies

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Waurn Ponds (Geelong) students: some of the units are offered at Waurn Ponds and some at Waterfront. Travel between campuses may be required.

Unit set code

MJ-H000040

Overview

This major brings together complementary units from criminology and psychology for students to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of crime and criminal justice issues, structures and procedures of the criminal justice system, designing criminological research, and how psychological knowledge is applied in legal and criminal matters, including understanding comorbidities such as addiction.

Units

ACR101Introducing Crime and Criminology

ACR102Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice

ACR201Issues in Criminal Justice

HPS206Forensic Psychology

ACR302Criminology Research

HPS325Health Psychology (Addiction)

Child and Family

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online

Waurn Ponds (Geelong) students: some of the units are offered at Waurn Ponds and some at Waterfront. Travel between campuses may be required.

Unit set code

MJ-H000041

Overview

This major brings together complementary units from within Health and Social Development and Psychology with a particular focus on the health and development of the family system and its members. It will be of particular interest to those wanting to work supporting children and/or families in the community.

Units

HSH105Understanding Families and Health

HSH206Human Development and Healthy Families

HSH207Socio-Economic Status and Health

HPS105Foundations of Psychological Practice

HPS302Developmental Psychology (Adult)

HPS304Social Psychology (Advanced)

Organisational Studies

Campus

Burwood (Melbourne), Online

Unit set code

MJ-H000043

Overview

This major brings together fundamental units from the disciplines of Management and Human Resource Management, to give students a grounding in organisational behaviour, recruitment and training, and change management. Students will also gain skills in counselling, mediation and negotiation.

Units

MMM132Management

MMH230Fundamentals of Human Resource Management

MMH250Workplace Conflict Resolution

MMM240Organisational Behaviour

MMH349Employment Relations

MMH356Change Management

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.