Key Facts
Part-time (18 months)
Part-time (2 years)
Semester 2 (Part-time only) - Not applicable to International Student Visa Holders
Course Overview
The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is an APAC accredited fourth year psychology program. This course includes theoretical and professional-focused training to prepare students for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Graduates are eligible to apply for APAC accredited masters-level psychology training programs.
The course is comprised of seven units: HON401, HON402, HON403, HON404, HON407, HON455 and HON456. All units can be undertaken at the Hawthorn East campus or via the online campus. Students can complete the course entirely at Hawthorn East, entirely online, or choose a mixture of units offered at Hawthorn East or online.
You will learn about the theoretical and empirical bases for psychological measurement and assessment, evidence-based approaches to psychological intervention, developmental psychopathology, professional practice issues and ethics.
The course also includes comprehensive coverage of psychological research, and students are required to complete an individual research thesis.
All teaching staff are experienced clinicians and/or academics who are committed to advancing the field of psychology through interaction with students and their own research contributions.
Please note: Cairnmillar’s courses are subject to minimum and maximum group numbers. Courses may be cancelled or postponed if minimum numbers are not achieved by the start date of the course. Courses may close prior to the start date if the maximum numbers are reached. In that situation, eligible applicants will be offered a place in the next available intake.
2023 Course Information Session
Application Period
Applications for 2024 mid-year intake now open!
Course Structure
This course consists of 100 credit points. It can be taken across one year (full-time), 18 months (part-time) or 24 months (part-time). Please note, the Semester 2 intake is only available for part-time study. It is expected that a part-time study load will be completed in no more than two years.
Students undertake a total of seven units of study consisting of five coursework units (62.5 credit points) and two research units (37.5 credit points).
Each unit of study is listed below. Please note students must pass all units before being eligible to graduate.
Semester 1 Intake: Full-time (1 year)
| Semester | Unit Code | Unit Name | Credit Points |
| 1 | HON401 | Professional Practice and Professional Ethics | 12.5 |
| 1 | HON403 | Psychological Assessment | 12.5 |
| 1 | HON402 | Research Methods | 12.5 |
| 1 | HON455 | Research Thesis 1 | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON404 | Evidence-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON407 | Developmental Psychopathology Across the Lifespan | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON456 | Research Thesis 2 | 25 |
Semester 1 Intake: Part-time (2 years)
| Semester | Unit Code | Unit Name | Credit Points |
| 1 | HON401 | Professional Practice and Professional Ethics | 12.5 |
| 1 | HON403 | Psychological Assessment | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON404 | Evidence-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON407 | Developmental Psychopathology Across the Lifespan | 12.5 |
| 3 | HON402 | Research Methods | 12.5 |
| 3 | HON455 | Research Thesis 1 | 12.5 |
| 4 | HON456 | Research Thesis 2 | 25 |
Semester 2 Intake: Part-time (2 years)
| Semester | Unit Code | Unit Name | Credit Points |
| 1 | HON404 | Evidence-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence | 12.5 |
| 1 | HON407 | Developmental Psychopathology Across the Lifespan | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON402 | Research Methods | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON455 | Research Thesis 1 | 12.5 |
| 3 | HON456 | Research Thesis 2 | 25 |
| 4 | HON401 | Professional Practice and Professional Ethics | 12.5 |
| 4 | HON403 | Psychological Assessment | 12.5 |
Semester 2 Intake: Part-time (18 months)
| Semester | Unit Code | Unit Name | Credit Points |
| 1 | HON404 | Evidence-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence | 12.5 |
| 1 | HON407 | Developmental Psychopathology Across the Lifespan | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON401 | Professional Practice and Professional Ethics | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON403 | Psychological Assessment | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON402 | Research Methods | 12.5 |
| 2 | HON455 | Research Thesis 1 | 12.5 |
| 3 | HON456 | Research Thesis 2 | 25 |
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have completed an APAC accredited three-year sequence of study in psychology, or equivalent overseas qualification (as assessed by the APS). Minimum entry standard is a credit average (60%) in the undergraduate or equivalent degree. Applicants should have a credit grade or above in most psychology units.
International applicants must apply for the in-person study mode: please see the International Students page for further requirements and support regarding Cairnmillar course applications.
Further documentation required in the application:
- Most recent academic transcripts.
- A current curriculum vitae (resume).
- A 500-word personal statement outlining what factors have contributed to the application and why you wish to study this course at Cairnmillar.
- Proof of residency/citizenship in the form of a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate.
See our How to Apply page for detailed instructions on making an application.
Applicants who completed their psychology sequence more than ten years ago may be asked to complete a refresher sequence prior to a formal offer being made. Relevant work experience in the intervening period since completing studies in psychology is considered favourable in this circumstance.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
Students who satisfactorily complete this course will be able to demonstrate skill and knowledge in the following areas:
- Apply ethical codes, legislation, and professional standards to issues relevant to psychological research and professional practice.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning the development and application of psychological assessment and intervention.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of developmental psychopathology.
- Critically assess the impact of sociocultural and developmental factors in psychology research and professional practice.
- Apply the scientific method to answer psychology-related research questions (i.e., study design, data analysis and interpretation).
- Demonstrate sophisticated oral and written communication skills.
Fees & Scholarships
**Total fees are estimates only based on the current fee schedule. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases applies, see: Fees & Scholarships.
Two scholarships (Dr Julie Shaw and Ian Chisholm scholarships) are available to select Honours students each year. For more information, visit our Fees & Scholarships page.
For general information, visit our FAQ page.
Career Opportunities & Study Pathways
Graduates may apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) in their current workplace. Graduates will also be able to consider further study or employment in fields where the knowledge and skills acquired in postgraduate psychology study can be applied (e.g., community services, human resources, business, counselling).
On completion of the course, graduates will be eligible to apply for entry to an APAC accredited Masters training program, which leads to registration as a psychologist. For further information on pathways to registration, visit our Pathways & Registration page.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is a Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) accredited program and sits within level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
This program is conditionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Further information on conditional accreditation can be found on the APAC website, as well as in APAC’s publicly available accreditation reports.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Applicants to this program may apply to be granted credit or partial credit towards the qualification, in recognition of previous experience where an equivalence of earlier learning can be established.
Credit transfer for an APAC accredited course is only applicable for recently completed APAC accredited postgraduate programs. Credit or partial credit is not granted in recognition of knowledge or skills gained through work or life experience.
Cairnmillar’s RPL policy can be viewed here and further information can be found here.
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