Bachelor of Psychology CU77

Program Overview

The primary purpose of this course is to prepare graduates for conditional registration as psychologists in Queensland and for coursework and research higher degree studies in Psychology. However, the degree serves also as a first degree for students wishing to seek employment in a variety of people-oriented vocations.

By the completion of Level 3 of study, students will have broad knowledge of the discipline of Psychology and its applications, including plan theoretical perspectives within the discipline. In addition, they will have knowledge of the range of core research areas that make up the scientific discipline of Psychology and of the research methodologies and statistical techniques commonly used by researchers for information gathering and analysis. Students will be able to apply this knowledge when undertaking research activities in the core areas of scientific study. In the fourth level students will undertake advanced research training, and will be introduced to applied and professional uses of psychology. As a part of their studies in Levels 3 and 4, students will acquire knowledge of research and professional ethics in psychology, and an appreciation of the social and cultural contexts of psychological research and professional practice.

Program Structure

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 32 courses or 192 units of credit in accordance with the following:

1. a minimum of 132 units of credit (22 courses) in Psychology, including;
   1. 12 units of credit (2 courses) at first level
   2. a minimum of 30 units of credit (5 courses) at second level including PSYC12047   and PSYC12048  
   3. a minimum of 36 units of credit (6 courses) at third level including PSYC13015  
   4. 48 units of credit (8 courses) at fourth level.
2. 2 courses (12 units of credit) in Sociology;
3. a minimum of 6 courses (36 units of credit) in a discipline other than Psychology, of which 4 courses (24 units of credit) must be in advanced courses. Students who choose Sociology as their other discipline shall count the units of credit obtained under (b) toward this requirement;
4. 2 courses (12 units of credit) elective. For students with an interest in Sport Psychology, the following 2 courses can be used as electives or Psychology courses HMSC12017   Sport and Exercise Psychology and HMSC13024   Advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology.
5. except with the approval of the Head of School, satisfy all course prerequisites shown in the Table of Course Availability.

Failure to satisfy these requirements will result in non-eligibility to graduate.

Compulsory Psychology courses

* Students who withdraw from PSYC14045   will be withdrawn from PSYC14046.

** Students who withdraw from PSYC14046   will be withdrawn from PSYC14045   without academic penalty.

Recommended Study Schedule

The following study schedule is meant as an introductory guide for students. Students may determine their own schedule based upon credit transfers and personnel study requirements. For more assistance with your study schedule contact the program administrator. The following schedule is designed for full-time students who usually enrol in four courses per term or 24 units of credit. Part-time students should therefore modify this schedule to suit their own needs The normal study load for part-time students is two courses per term or 12 units of credit.

Computing Requirements

It is a requirement of enrolment in this program that students have access to the CQU WWW site via the Internet. Students will be expected to undertake various components of study in the degree using e-mail and the Internet.

Application for Credit Transfer

Credit transfers for Level 2 and 3 courses in Psychology will only be granted where the courses which form the basis of the credit application have been taken as part of a course of study in Psychology academic organisational unit. Credit transfers are not granted for Level 4 courses.

Bachelor of Psychology with Honours

Students who are graduating with the Bachelor of Psychology degree are eligible to graduate with Honours on the following basis:

The student’s PSYC14045   and PSYC14046   Psychology Research Project shall involve empirical research culminating in a thesis which shall be examined by at least one examiner who is external to the University; the student in the first attempt in all completed third and fourth level psychology courses shall achieve an average minimum Weighted GPA of 5.00. For this purpose a course grade of High Distinction shall attract 7 Grade Points, a grade of Distinction 6, a grade of Credit 5, a grade of Pass 4, a grade of Pass Conceded 3, a grade of Pass Terminal 2, and a grade of Fail 0.

There shall be 3 levels of Honours awarded in accordance with the following GPA criteria:

First Class (GPA of 6.0 – 7.0), (Second Class Division A (GPA of 5.50 – 5.99), (Second Class Division B (GPA of 5.0 – 5.49).

Students eligible to graduate with the Bachelor of Psychology degree but who do not meet the above criteria for the award of the degree with Honours will be awarded the degree without specification.