Honours at the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
The Psychology honours program is a combination of coursework and a research thesis that you will decide upon in consultation with your Honours supervisor. Link: Official Entry Requirements
The Honours Advantage
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An APS-accredited 4th year is essential for later registration as a Psychologist. The honours degree is identical in content to the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, but is HECS-based, and therefore less expensive. It also has more credibility with some universities if you are considering a higher degree, such as a Masters or PhD.
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At the moment, you can gain registration as a psychologist with the Victorian Psychologist Registration Board after two years working in the field, under the supervision of an approved registered psychologist. Once you gain full registration, you can practice as a psychologist. However, it is becoming increasingly desirable to complete a Masters degree by coursework in the area in which you wish to specialise, such as clinical, counselling, sports, educational, or other specialty. This has the advantage of including the supervised practice, allowing you to register upon completion of the course
A Richer Experience
You will expand your knowledge and be well equipped to pursue a research degree such as a Masters by research, or a PhD, or a professional doctorate (DPsych) which combines the coursework of a professional Masters degree with a thesis of the rigour (but not the length!) of aPhD.
Entry to Honours
Entry to an Honours degree in Psychology is extremely competitive. Eligibility is almost entirely on the basis of your 3rd year marks in Psychology. Although it varies a little from year to year, you will need at least a Distinction average in your 3 rd year Psychology marks. In 2006 the entry criterion was an average of 78% in the Swinburne system, where a Distinction is within the 75%-84% range.
Link: Application Form (PDF format)
Enquiries about Honours
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Dr Bruce Findlay
Convenor of Psychology Honours strand -
email: bfindlay
swin.edu.au
telephone: +613 9214 8093
Previous Honours Projects
Relationship between exercise motivation and male body image
Relationship between internet use, loneliness and personality
Ability to process consequences and its relation to risk-taking behaviours
Autogenous & reactive obsessions in OCD
Does EI mediate the relationship between conflict and relationship satisfaction?
Spirituality and its relationship with coping, dissociation & ego development
Intergenerational relationship between early maladaptive schemas, self-esteem & life satisfaction
Post-natal depression & autobiographical memories
Ageism in recruitment: "thoughtful" stereotyping?
Project Ideas
You are permitted a good deal of choice in the thesis topic you are allowed.
If there is an area you wish to pursue, talk to a psychology staff member whose research interests are closest to yours.
