Handbook 2015

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Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Normal course duration

Full-time 4.0 years (8.0 sessions)

Students may transfer to the Honours Stream at the end of the equivalent of 3.0 years full time if the GPA requirement is met.

Normal course duration is the effective period of time taken to complete a course when studied Full-time (Full-time Equivalent: FTE). Students are advised to consult the Enrolment Pattern for the actual length of study. Not all courses are offered in Full-time mode.

This course may utilise a three session per year teaching calendar. Students should consult the Enrolment Pattern for availability of subjects in Session 3, or contact their Course Coordinator.

Admission criteria CSU Admission Policy

Admission to the Honours stream is based upon performance in the level 2 and 3 core PSY subjects.

Credit CSU Credit Policy

Standard CSU Credit policy apply.

Graduation requirement

To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 256 points.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Psychology/Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is a four year degree that splits into two strands in fourth year, a pass strand and an honours strand. Progression into fourth year is dependent upon a high level of academic performance. Students who do not meet the criteria for progression into fourth year will transfer to and graduate from the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) which is a three year degree.

The pass strand comprises:

• 18 core psychology subjects (8 points each);
• two compulsory sociology subjects (8 points each);
• a minor of six subjects from a cognate discipline (48 points in total), one of which must be a Level 3 subject;
• three electives (8 points each); and
• a research project (24 points)

The Honours strand comprises:

• 17 core psychology subjects (8 points each);
• two compulsory sociology subjects (8 points each);
• a minor of six subjects from a cognate discipline (48 points in total), one of which must be a Level 3 subject;
• three electives (8 points each); and
• a dissertation (32 points)

Core Level 1 to 3 Subjects

PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
PSY208 Biopsychology
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology*
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods*
PSY304 Psychopathology
PSY305 Psychology of Personality
PSY307 Cognition
PSY308 Psychology of Learning
* Students studying by distance education attend a compulsory residential school for this subject

Compulsory Sociology Subjects

SOC101 Introductory Sociology
SOC102 Social Inequality

Minor

Students must take a minor of six subjects, at least one of which must be at Level 3, in one of the discipline areas listed below. Subjects are delivered internally at the campus or campuses specified in parentheses, however all minor sequences are also available by distance education.

• Biology (Wagga Wagga)
• Communication (Bathurst)
• English (Bathurst & Wagga Wagga)
• History and Politics (Bathurst & Wagga Wagga)
• Human Resource Management (Bathurst, Port Macquarie & Wagga Wagga)
• Indigenous Studies (Distance Education only)
• Information Technology (Bathurst & Wagga Wagga)
• Justice Studies (Bathurst & Port Macquarie)
• Management (Bathurst, Port Macquarie & Wagga Wagga)
• Marketing (Bathurst, Port Macquarie & Wagga Wagga)
• Mathematics and Statistics (Wagga Wagga)
• Philosophy (Wagga Wagga)
• Social Welfare (Wagga Wagga)
• Sociology (Wagga Wagga)

Note: Students who choose Sociology as a minor complete four sociology subjects (one of which must be a Level 3 subject) in addition to the two compulsory sociology subjects (SOC101 and SOC102 ); they will need to choose five electives.

Details of the subjects included in each of these minors may be obtained from psychadmin@csu.edu.au. On-campus students may have to complete some or all subjects in their chosen minor by distance education mode. Students may take any six subjects from one of the areas listed provided they meet the prerequisites/assumed knowledge requirements and include at least one Level 3 subject. A minor in another discipline may be taken with the approval of the Course Coordinator: email psychadmin@csu.edu.au

Electives

The three electives (five if the minor is in Sociology) can be chosen from any of the discipline areas listed above or from the following psychology electives:
PSY114 Indigenous Australians and Psychology: An Introduction
PSY211 Psychology of Crime
PSY214 Health Psychology
PSY218 Psychology of Substance Abuse
PSY219 Psychology International Experience
PSY313 Psychology and the Legal System
PSY316 Psychology of Stress and Trauma

Pass Strand

Progression into the pass strand requires a Grade Point Average (GPA) of between 5.0 and 5.99 calculated across Level 2 and 3 core psychology subjects (11), and a minimum GPA of 5.0 for the Level 3 core psychology subjects (6). Students who satisfy these criteria will complete:
PSY404 Psychological Assessment*
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology*
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)*
PSY437 Counselling Theory and Practice*
and two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology – Treatment*
PSY422 Forensic Psychology*
PSY423 Industrial/Organisational Psychology*
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience*
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology*
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics*
* Students attend a compulsory residential school for this subject

Honours Strand

Progression into the honours strand requires a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 6.0 calculated across Level 2 and 3 core psychology subjects (11), and a minimum GPA of 5.0 for the Level 3 core psychology subjects (6). Students who satisfy these requirements, and whose application to transfer into the Honours strand is successful, will complete:
PSY404 Psychological Assessment*
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology*
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)*
and two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment*
PSY422 Forensic Psychology*
PSY423 Industrial/Organisational Psychology*
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience*
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology*
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics*
* Students attend a compulsory residential school for this subject

Key Subjects

PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods

Enrolment pattern

Suggested Enrolment Patterns

The following enrolment patterns illustrate how the course is usually completed at a full-time rate over four years for on-campus students, and at a part-time rate over eight years for distance education students. On-campus students may take advantage of the accelerated enrolment patterns set out for the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) course, in order to complete the first three years of this course over two calendar years. Students who choose this option will need to ensure that they satisfy the Bachelor of Psychology course requirements. They will not be able to base any claim of special consideration on their chosen study pattern e.g., as it may relate to academic performance and progression to fourth year or transfer to Honours.

Full-time On campus (Bathurst)

Year 1
Session 1
PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
SOC102 Social Inequality
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 2
Session 1
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
PSY208 Biopsychology
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 3
Session 1
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY304 Psychopathology
PSY305 Psychology of Personality
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods
PSY307 Cognition
PSY308 Psychology of Learning
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 4
All Level 4 psychology subjects are offered in distance education mode and require attendance at compulsory residential schools.

Pass Stream via Bathurst
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Pass Stream via Wagga Wagga
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)^
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)^
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology
Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)^
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
^compulsory residential school held at Bathurst campus

Honours Stream via Bathurst
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Honours Stream via Wagga Wagga
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)#
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology
Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
#the first of two compulsory residential schools will be held at Bathurst campus

On campus (Port Macquarie)

Year 1
Session 1
PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
SOC102 Social Inequality*
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 2
Session 1
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY202 Developmental Psychology*
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology*
PSY204 Psychological Testing
PSY208 Biopsychology*
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 3
Session 1
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY305 Psychology of Personality*
PSY308 Psychology of Learning *
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY307 Cognition *
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods
PSY304 Psychopathology*
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
* indicates subject is offered in the distance education mode only

Year 4
All Level 4 psychology subjects are offered in distance education mode and require attendance at compulsory residential schools.

Pass Stream via Bathurst
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Pass Stream via Wagga Wagga
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)^
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)^
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology
Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)^
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
^compulsory residential school held at Bathurst campus

Honours Stream via Bathurst
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Honours Stream via Wagga Wagga
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)#
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology
Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
#the first of two compulsory residential schools will be held at Bathurst campus

On campus (Wagga Wagga)

Year 1
Session 1
PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
SOC102 Social Inequality
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 2
Session 1
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
PSY208 Biopsychology*
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 3
Session 1
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY305 Psychology of Personality
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods
PSY304 Psychopathology
PSY307 Cognition
PSY308 Psychology of Learning
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
* indicates subject is offered in the distance education mode only

Year 4
All Level 4 psychology subjects are offered in distance education mode and require attendance at compulsory residential schools.

Pass Stream via Bathurst
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Pass Stream via Wagga Wagga
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)^
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)^
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology
Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)^
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
^compulsory residential school held at Bathurst campus

Honours Stream via Bathurst
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Honours Stream via Wagga Wagga
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)#
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology
Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
#the first of two compulsory residential schools will be held at Bathurst campus

Distance education

Year 1
Session 1
PSY101 Foundations of Psychology 1
SOC101 Introductory Sociology
Session 2
PSY102 Foundations of Psychology 2
SOC102 Social Inequality

Year 2
Session 1
PSY202 Developmental Psychology
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 3
Session 1
PSY201 Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology
PSY204 Psychological Testing
Session 2
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective

Year 4
Session 1
[ ] Minor or Elective
[ ] Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY203 Social Psychology
PSY208 Biopsychology

Years 5-6
Students must complete:
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology (Session 1)
PSY304 Psychopathology (Session 2)
PSY305 Psychology of Personality (Session 1)
PSY307 Cognition (Session 2)
PSY308 Psychology of Learning (Session 1)
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods (Session 2)

Year 5
Session 1
PSY301 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology (residential school)
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
Session 2
PSY309 Qualitative Research Methods (residential school)
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective

Year 6
Session 1
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
Session 2
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective
[ ] Core Level 3 PSY subject or Minor or Elective

Years 7-8
All Level 4 psychology subjects are offered in distance education mode and require attendance at compulsory residential schools.

Pass Stream via Bathurst

Year 7
Session 1
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
Session 2
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Year 8
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)
Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)

Pass Stream via Wagga Wagga

Year 7
Session 1
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology
Session 2
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Year 8
Session 1
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(commenced)^
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(commenced)^
Session 2
PSY436 Research Project (24 points)(completed)
PSY437 Counselling Skills (8 points)(completed)^
^compulsory residential school held at Bathurst campus

Honours Stream via Bathurst

Year 7
Session 1
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology
Session 2
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY422 Forensic Psychology
PSY425 Cognitive Neuroscience
PSY429 Psychology Advanced Topics

Year 8
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)
Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)

Honours Stream via Wagga Wagga

Year 7
Session 1
Two of:
PSY421 Clinical Psychology - Treatment
PSY423 Industrial / Organisational Psychology
PSY427 Issues in Health Psychology
Session 2
PSY404 Psychological Assessment
PSY420 Ethics and Current Issues in Psychology

Year 8
Session 1
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(commenced)#
Session 2
PSY424 Psychology Honours Dissertation (32 points)(completed)
#the first of two compulsory residential schools will be held at Bathurst campus

Professional recognition

The accrediting body for all psychology courses is the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. The peak professional body is the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Contact

For further information about Charles Sturt University, or this course offering, please contact info.csu on 1800 334 733 (free call within Australia) or email inquiry@csu.edu.au

The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: February 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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