Course description
Professional recognition
Registration as a Psychologist
The current requirements in Victoria for registration as a psychologist include the completion of four years of academic study in psychology in a course recognised by the Victorian Psychologists' Registration Board. Two years of supervised practice are required in addition to the four-year academic program. The study in psychology may consist either of an approved four-year undergraduate sequence including an honours year (as in the Bachelor of Psychology), or an approved three-year undergraduate sequence followed by an approved fourth year of study (such as the Graduate Diploma of Psychology or an honours year in Psychology).
Fees and charges
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
A Commonwealth supported place is one for which the university receives some government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute only part of the cost of their course. To be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place you must be an Australian citizen, or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study. All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a Commonwealth supported place.
* The "indicative annual course fee" cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on "indicative course fees" to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
You can work in a variety of settings including clinical, forensic, organisational, educational, health sport and many other specialist areas. The contexts in which you work may include private practice, hospitals, business organisations, schools, universities, government agencies, community sport groups and various research groups.
Course rules
The course comprises 32 1-credit point units including a minimum of 20 psychology units. At year one, two introductory units in psychology are taken (HPS111 Introduction to Psychology A and HPS121 Introduction to Psychology B). In addition students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychology will take three foundation faculty units - HBS107 Understanding Health, HBS108 Health Information and Data and HBS110 Health Behaviour.
At year two, students typically take five units at a more advanced level (HPS201 Research Methods in Psychology A is a core unit, a minimum of four other units are selected from those on offer), together with electives to achieve 8 credit points for the year.
Course structure
Year 1
Trimester 1
HPS111 Introduction to Psychology A
HBS107 Understanding Health
plus two elective units
Trimester 2
HPS121 Introduction to Psychology B
HBS110 Health Behaviour
HBS108 Health Information and Data
plus one elective unit
Year 2
Trimester 1
HPS203 Cognitive Psychology A
HPS204 Introduction to Social Psychology
plus two elective units
Trimester 2
HPS201 Research Methods in Psychology A
HPS202 Child and Adolescent Development
HPS205 Behavioural Neuroscience
plus one elective; the recommended elective is:
HPS206 Psychology in the Criminal Justice System
Unit HPS201 is a core unit
Year 2 elective units
Four second-year elective units must be taken from the currently available psychology units listed above. The additional elective units at this level may include other psychology units, or students may choose to take complementary studies in other disciplines.
At year 3, students take an advanced unit in Research Methods in Psychology (HPS301) and a unit in Psychological Testing and Measurement (HPS309) together with at least three other third year psychology units.
Year 3
Trimester 1
HPS301 Research Methods in Psychology B
plus three elective units
Trimester 2
HPS309 Psychological Testing and Measurement
plus three elective units
Year 3 elective units
A minimum of three third-year elective units must be chosen from the psychology units listed below. The additional elective units at this level may include other psychology units, or students may choose to take complementary studies in other disciplines.
Trimester 1
HPS302 Pathways Through Adulthood
HPS307 Personality
HPS395 Clinical Neuroscience
Trimester 2
HPS303 Cognitive Psychology B
HPS304 The Social Psychology of Relationships
HPS308 Psychopathology
Year 4
Trimester 1
HPS425 Honours in Psychology Part A
HPS427 Honours in Psychology Part C
Trimester 2
HPS426 Honours in Psychology Part B
HPS428 Honours in Psychology Part D
The four units HPS425, HPS426, HPS427, HPS428 comprise the honours sequence in psychology. All four parts must be successfully completed before a result will be obtained. 8 credit points will be achieved at the end of the sequence.
Total coursework weighting at fourth year is 50%. The research thesis at fourth year is completed across the entire year and accounts for 50% of the total weighting. Attendance and presentation at the annual Faculty Fourth Year Research Conference and attendance at the weekly School Research colloquia are hurdle requirements.
Admission requirements - general
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
For more information on the Deakin Admissions Policy visit The Guide.
Advanced standing - general
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
