Discipline of Psychology

School of Population Health

2023 Fourth Year Course Options for Psychology Students

Published August 2022

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Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Professional Issues ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Career Advice ................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Curtin’s Accredited 4th Year Psychology Courses ........................................................................................................................... 8
Entry Process ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Honours Supervisors .................................................................................................................................................................... 12
B Psych Supervisors ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Summary Information .................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Other Options .............................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Other Accredited 4th Year Psychology Courses ............................................................................................................................ 14

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Introduction
This booklet provides information about Level Two accredited (fourth year) courses in psychology at
Curtin University. You will currently be enrolled in one of the following courses:

 Bachelor of Psychology [B‐PSYCH]

 Bachelor of Science (Psych & HRM) – the double major [B‐PSYCHRM]

 Bachelor of Science (Psychology) & Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resources and Industrial
Relations) ‐ the double degree [BB‐PSYHRM]
 Bachelor of Science (Psychology) & Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) – the double degree [BB‐
PSYMKT]
 Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Science (Psych) – the double degree [BB‐LAWPSY]

Students in the Bachelor of Psychology (B‐PSYCH) program can continue with their enrolment in the
fourth year of the Bachelor of Psychology course (subject to completion of, and adequate
performance in, second and third year). Our accreditation requires that to continue into fourth year
you must get a 60% average across your core second (6 units) and third (8 units) year psychology
units. Students who achieve a 70% average across these same units will also have the option of doing
Honours – Bachelor of Psychology (Hons). If you do not achieve the 60% average, you will graduate
with a Bachelor of Science (Psychology).

Students in the double major and double degrees will graduate with their degree which is
equivalent to the first three years of the Bachelor of Psychology. From here they can apply for either
of the fourth‐y ea r options described in this book (again assuming that entry criteria are met).

The fourth‐year options offered at Curtin that are accredited by the Australian Psychology
Accreditation Council (APAC) are:
 Bachelor of Psychology (with Honours)
 Bachelor of Psychology

There are other options after completing your first 3 years of psychology that include:
 Another APS accredited 4th year program in Psychology at a different university
 A non‐APS accredited program (possibly at Curtin)
 Employment!

Whether or not you choose to progress to a fourth year in psychology will depend on your goals for
employment. The following section of this booklet summarises the professional requirements to
work as a psychologist.

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Professional Issues
Your decision to pursue a fourth‐year degree and a Master’s degree will be determined by whetheryou
wish to achieve registration as a psychologist.

Registration as a Psychologist (via Psychology Board of Australia)

A National Registration and Accreditation Scheme governs your ability to work as a registered
psychologist in Australia. The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), part of the Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), is responsible for matters relating to the registration of
psychologists.
Registration as a Generalist psychologist requires that you complete an accredited four‐year
undergraduate program in psychology plus an additional two years of training. This will be via:
 a one‐year accredited 5th year course (e.g., Master of Professional Psychology), a one year
internship, and passing the National Psychology Exam or,
 a two‐year accredited Master of Psychology (in one of the endorsed areas such as clinical or
organisational psychology)

Both fourth‐year streams in psychology at Curtin are accredited courses. If you wish to be
registered with an endorsement title (e.g., “Clinical Psychologist”, or “Organisational Psychologist”)
you need an accredited Master's degree plus two years of supervised specialist practice. You may be
fortunate to have a job in which your employer can provide supervision, but increasingly people need
to pay for supervision.

Changes occur regularly so it is strongly recommended that you keep a regular check on the
Psychology Board of Australia website for the latest information. Here is a summary of the
registration pathways (APS).

Psychology Board of Australia

Website: https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au
Online enquiry form: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/About‐Ahpra/Contact‐Us.aspx

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Membership of the Australian Psychological Society
The Australian Psychological Society Limited (APS) is one of the professional psychology associations
in Australia. Being a member of the APS is not a requirement for a psychologist, but you do get
benefits from being a member, such as cheaper professional indemnity insurance and the ability to
influence your profession. Members are required to observe a Code of Ethics.

The APS requires new full members of the APS to have undergone at least six full years of study (or
the equivalent). People with a four‐year accredited degree can apply to be associate members.
People with a three‐year accredited degree can be affiliate members. The higher the level of
membership, the higher the level of services offered by the society. Only full members of the society
are eligible to call themselves members of the APS – or use the initials MAPS after their name. Full
membership also entitles you to be listed in the APS membership directory. You can also become a
student member of the APS.

For further details of the APS see the following web site: http://www.psychology.org.au/

Membership of the Australian Association of Psychologists

The Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) is one of the professional psychology
associations in Australia. Being a member of AAPi is not a requirement for a psychologist, but you do
get benefits from being a member, such as cheaper professional indemnity insurance and the ability to
influence your profession.

AAPi membership can be full time or part time (for a registered psychologist); or via the
Student/Provisional Psychologist category. The higher the level of membership, the higher the
level of services offered by the association. Only full members of the association are eligible to call
themselves members of AAPi – or use the initials MAAPi after their name.

For further details of AAPi see the following web site: http://www.aapi.org.au

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Career Advice
The Curtin Careers Centre (https://students.curtin.edu.au/personal‐support/career‐advice/)
provides a careers service for students with career advice and distribution of career and
employment opportunities. Currently there are not many psychology jobs promoted through this
service, but this could change, and you may findother opportunities that you would like to
explore. Curtin Volunteers (http://cv.curtin.edu.au/) may provide you with useful experiences that
could add to your CV.

In addition to this there is useful careers information on the Australian Psychological Society
website.

Curtin’s Accredited 4th Year Psychology Courses

The Honours course is a platform for students who wish to proceed to higher degrees (MRes,
M.Psych or PhD). It is designed to increase understanding of human behaviour through either
pure or applied research. It offers the opportunity for students to explore an area of psychology
in depth and to undertake a research study in that area. Honours graduates have a sound
understanding of research and can critically evaluate the research literature of psychology.
People contemplating an academic career ought to have an Honours qualification. Some of the
more in‐demand masters programs also require an honours degree (e.g., clinical and clinical
neuropsychology masters).

The Bachelor of Psychology pass degree differs from the Honours course through a reduction in
the emphasis on research. The dissertation is based on group research rather than an individual
project. Students who graduate from the pass degree are eligible to apply for the Master of
Professional Psychology (pathway to general registration) and some two‐year Masters courses
(e.g., Organisational).

The Bachelor of Psychology (pass and honours stream) is designed to equip students to move
directly into the workforce in a variety of roles that do not require registration as a psychologist.
Students take practical skills units (counseling, program evaluation, and assessment) that
develop skills needed for the workplace.

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Course Structure
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours Stream) Bachelor of Psychology (Regular Stream)

Semester 1 Unit Title Credit Points Unit Title Credit Points

Dissertation Psychology Honours 50 Psychology Undergraduate 50

Dissertation Preparation Dissertation Preparation

Coursework Quality Assurance in 25 Quality Assurance in 25

Psychological Research Psychological Research

Coursework Advanced Topics in Applied 25 Advanced Topics in 25

Psychology Applied Psychology

Semester 2

Dissertation Psychology Honours 50 Psychology Undergraduate 50

Dissertation Dissertation

Coursework Principles of Psychological 25 Principles of Psychological 25

Assessment Assessment

Coursework Introduction to Counseling 25 Introduction to Counseling 25

Brief descriptions of the units are provided below.

Psychology Honours Dissertation Preparation

Students prepare to conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a staff
member from the School. A student will be assigned to a researcher/project area after submitting
preferences. This happens after acceptance into the honours stream. Further information
about supervisors and projects will be provided later in the year (be sure to keep an eye on the
UG Everyone Bb site).

Psychology Honours Dissertation

Students complete and submit a dissertation on the research project started in Psychology
Honours Dissertation Preparation.

Psychology Undergraduate Dissertation Preparation

This unit involves the preparation of a joint research project. Students are allocated to a group, a
research topic and supervisor in the first week of semester.

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Psychology Undergraduate Dissertation
In this unit students jointly conduct the research planned in the associated unit Psychology
Dissertation Preparation and write up an individual account in the form of a dissertation.

Quality Assurance in Psychological Research

This unit covers key theoretical and research developments in pure and applied areas of
psychology. Critique of theoretical and empirical bases of key concepts in psychology. Generation
of methodological improvements to critical experiments in several diverse case studies
illustrating conflicting findings or explanations.

Advanced Topics in Applied Psychology

This capstone unit is designed to give you opportunities to apply and use theory in practice. It is
an opportunity to put your previous three years of learning into context in the real world. We do
this by giving you an opportunity to have contact with a community organisation (develop a
working plan to assess an intervention or community program) and explore some areas of
psychological practice in context of how research translates into work with clients (at an
individual, group, or community level).

Introduction to Counselling
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to a range of psychological interventions. The nature
of these psychological interventions is investigated in the social and historical context. A second
aim is to establish the basic counselling skills involved in interview and consultation processes in
a conceptual framework that allows flexibility and understanding of the effects of using those
skills. It is concerned with an understanding of the helping and change processes and the
acquisition of basic helping and interpersonal communication skills that underpin the majority of
the main theoretical systems.

Principles of Psychological Assessment

The unit has been designed to provide a broad coverage of the principles, applications, and issues
involved with the contemporary use of psychological tests. Specific topics include test theory,
construction, bias, and administration; interviewing techniques; tests of mental abilities; tests within
an organisational context; objective and projective personality tests; testing in health care settings;
and use of tests within a legal context. In addition to the above content areas, students will be
encouraged to develop practical skills in tests evaluation, administration, interpretation, and report
writing.

Both streams are available for completion full‐time or part‐time (over two years). In their first year, part‐
timers typically complete the course work units, and then the dissertation units in their second year.

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Entry Process
The entry process into fourth year cannot be completed until all the second semester marks are in.

Are you in the Single Degree (B‐PSYCH)?

All students proceeding to fourth year (whether interested in the Bachelor of Psychology or honours
stream) are asked to enrol into the fourth‐year units of the Bachelor of Psychology degree once
enrolments open.
If you are interested in the Honours Program, please ALSO email Professor Natalie Gasson
(n.gasson@curtin.edu.au) by Friday 11th November 2022 with the subject line ‘Honours Interest
2023’. Please make sure the email is sent from your Curtin student email account. While I will check
everyone for honours eligibility – this is an extra check point to make sure I don’t miss anyone.

Once all grades for semester two are finalised you will be notified of whether you are eligible for
honours. If you are eligible for a place in the honours program, I will advise the Health Sciences
Faculty Student Services Office to change your enrolment to the honours stream and you will be able
to enrol in the honours units. This will automatically take you out of the regular degree program.

Are you doing a Double Major / Degree?

For students enrolled in any of the double major/degree courses, and if you wish to pursue
psychology and complete the “fourth year” you will need to apply to switch courses. Don’t panic –
you will still graduate with your completed degree(s). However, this is just what they call the
process of applying for another degree if you have already been a Curtin student.

To apply for either 4th year psychology streams you need to do so online (directly to the university).
Please navigate to the Course Finder Page on the Curtin website:
https://study.curtin.edu.au/offering/course‐ug‐bachelor‐of‐psychology‐‐b‐psychv1

From here, click on the “Apply Now” button. You will be asked a series of questions:

1. BEFORE YOU START – Indicate that you are a returning to Curtin student and already have a
student ID number [I’m starting a new application and I already have a student ID].

Then:

2. Are you an international student? (No) International students need to apply through the
International Office.
3. Are you currently enrolled in or have completed a Stage Two Diploma at Curtin College? (No)
4. Are you applying for Semester 1, 2022? (Yes)
5. Are you applying for 4th year/honours? (Yes)
6. Which Curtin campus are you applying to study at? (Perth Campus)

From here you can upload your application (please email me if you get stuck).

Please note that applications open in September and close in early December 2022.

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If the average of your second‐ and third‐year psychology units is above 60% (but less than the cut‐off
for honours) you will be accepted into the Bachelor of Psychology pass stream.

If you are interested in the Honours Program, please ALSO email Professor Natalie Gasson
(n.gasson@curtin.edu.au) by Friday 11th November 2022 with the subject line ‘Honours Interest
2023’. Please make sure the email is sent from your Curtin student email account.

You will be notified of the outcome of your application once the grades for semester 2 are finalised.

Honours Supervisors

Later in the year I will provide you with a list of supervisors and potential projects. We will also hold
a “Meet and Greet Event” where you will be able to come and speak to potential supervisors (an
online event will be held if COVID restrictions are in place at the time).

Honours students will rank order preferences for supervisors/projects later in the year. The student
with the highest honours entry average (i.e., average of the 14 core units) will get their first
preference. The second highest scoring student will get their first available preference and so on. So,
striving for the best grades possible will ensure you get a more preferred choice of
supervisor/project.

Please DO NOT contact staff about supervision at this stage as workloads and projects have not
yet been organised. Later in the year I will provide a list of supervisors and potential projects.

B Psych Supervisors

Early next year students in the B Psych stream will be asked to complete the Research Orientation Scale. The
results of this scale will be used to assign students to research teams based on their shared interests in
particular research methodologies. From here each team will be allocated to a related research project and
supervisor.

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 Summary Information

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Bachelor of Psychology

How many places No limit for Curtin students No limit for Curtin students
are there?
Entry Any student who has completed the B Any student who has completed the B
requirements? Sci (Psychology) as part of their double Sci (Psychology) as part of their double
major/degree OR completed the first major/degree OR completed the first
three years of the B‐PSYCH; and who three years of the B‐PSYCH; and who
have achieved an average of 70%+ in have achieved an average of 60%+ in
the 14‐core 2nd and 3rd year units is the 14‐core 2nd and 3rd year units is
eligible. eligible.
Can I study part Yes, typically over 2 years. Yes, typically over 2 years.
time?
Costs? The course is supported by The course is supported by
Commonwealth Funded Places (i.e., Commonwealth Funded Places (i.e.,
HECS) for Australian residents – HECS) for Australian residents –
current HECS fees apply. current HECS fees apply.
Can I defer the No. However, in some circumstances No. However, in some circumstances
start of the a Leave of Absence may be possible. a Leave of Absence may be possible.
course if offered
a place?
More The course coordinator is Professor The course coordinator is Professor
information? Natalie Gasson Natalie Gasson
(n.gasson@curtin.edu.au). Please (n.gasson@curtin.edu.au). Please
email to ask any questions you may email to ask any questions you may
have. have.

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Other Options
Other Accredited 4th Year Psychology Courses
You may wish to consider applying to other institutions that offer accredited fourth year psychology
programs. For more information visit the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
(https://psychologycouncil.org.au/accredited‐programs/search‐a‐program/) which provides details of other
accredited courses in Australia.

Non‐Accredited Courses
You may decide that being registered (and therefore be able to practice) as a 'Psychologist' is not for
you. Or you may want to look at all your options before deciding what to do. In this case, you might
wish to apply to other courses that are not accredited, or maybe even do a course in something
other than Psychology.

There are many options for you, and I have listed just a few below. If a course is listed below, it does
not mean that it is particularly recommended or that you guaranteed a place in the course, nor does
absence from the list indicate a course is unsuitable. The list is for ideas only ‐ you must check the
suitability of the course or other courses for yourself.

The Curtin Postgraduate prospectus (https://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/postgraduate) is another

useful source of information. Note that most courses have application deadlines which are earlier
than that for the fourth year Psychology courses ‐ typically September/October time but check to
confirm.

All graduate programs are full fee paying (but do have a fee deferral system similar to HECS). The
fees will differ depending on the course that you wish to undertake, but you may be eligible for
assistance. See http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/StudyAssist/ for more info.

Graduate Certificates in Psychology (non‐accredited)

Curtin offers a range of Graduate Certificates in Psychology which can be taken after your
undergraduate degree to strengthen your knowledge in particular areas of interest. These are offered
online only so that you can do these while working. Areas include forensics and business.
https://study.curtin.edu.au/offering/course‐pg‐graduate‐certificate‐in‐forensic‐psychology‐openunis‐‐oc‐psyfrv1/
https://study.curtin.edu.au/offering/course‐pg‐graduate‐certificate‐in‐psychology‐of‐business‐and‐management‐openunis‐‐oc‐psybmv1/

Graduate Entry Professional Courses

There are Graduate Entry Masters degrees in Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, Midwifery, Nursing
Practice, Social Work, Pharmacy, and Occupational Therapy that are potentially open to BSc
Psychology students. These ‘graduate entry’ programs provide the equivalent training to an
undergraduate degree in these areas, but usually in just two years. There are some pre‐ requisites in
these courses (e.g., a unit in human biology or similar for Physiotherapy), so check the details with
the schools concerned (via the Curtin web site).

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Other Curtin University Courses
The School of Population Health offer a range of postgraduate programs in health‐related fields.
For example: Sexology, Health Promotion; Occupational Health and Safety.

Master of Teaching ‐ Coordinated by Humanities https://study.curtin.edu.au/offering/course‐pg‐master‐of‐

teaching‐‐mc‐teachv1

Curtin Graduate School of Business offers a range of Graduate Diplomas in Business

https://businesslaw.curtin.edu.au/

Employment Opportunities
People with a psychology degree are employed in a very large variety of contexts. They are found in
most Australian Government departments, in many State Government departments, and in local
authorities. They are also found in a variety of large and small commercial and industrial
organisations. While some jobs advertisements will be very clear about wanting a psychology
graduate, others have less clearly defined requirements and have titles which describe the facet of
the work undertaken (e.g., Consultant to Management, Project Officer, Support Worker, Advocacy
officer, counsellor).

Some employers of psychology graduates include the Commonwealth Government, Western

Australian State Government, education institutions (including schools): Department for
Communities, Disability Services Commission, Education, Health, Public Sector Commission,
Corrective Services (Community Corrections Officer), Workcover, Not‐for‐profit sector.

There are, in addition to the openings listed above, many positions which are in the general
administrative stream of public services and private employment which rely heavily on an
understanding of human behaviour. These positions offer special opportunities to graduates in
psychology because of the nature of their training.

Further career information for psychology students can be found here:

https://www.psychology.org.au/careers

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs — ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do
it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Howard Thurman (author, philosopher, educator)

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