Off-Campus Learning Guide 2004
Arts

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities)

Course code: 1712 + Gippsland campus + HECS fees applicable + Attendance compulsory for some units

Aims

The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities) degree aims to give students opportunities to develop an understanding of psychology as a scientific discipline, and to appreciate the role it plays within society as a whole. The construction of major and minor sequences enables students to undertake specialised studies in humanities and social science disciplines.

Professional recognition

The major sequence in psychology is a common program offered on the Caulfield, Clayton and Gippsland campuses by the Department of Psychology. The APS (Australian Psychological Society)-accredited major comprises 10 six-point units: nine core units and one elective unit. Some third-level electives may be undertaken at second level, providing prerequisites and corequisites are met.

Entry requirements

All applicants should satisfy the university's minimum entry requirements as outlined in the section on entry requirements in this guide.

Special requirements

Work load

All applicants should be willing to undertake a normal initial work load of at least 24 points a year by off-campus learning. Off-campus learning students should note that this may have implications regarding eligibility for Austudy or similar schemes.

Attendance

There is a compulsory attendance requirement for all psychology units and students should be aware of the costs involved in meeting this requirement. Details will be specified for each unit.

In other disciplines, classes will be held in most units at each weekend school. Normally, this will include lectures and seminars or tutorials. Attendance at weekend school classes is recommended, but not compulsory for the completion of most units offered by the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences.

Course structure

The course of study is normally six years part-time by off-campus learning. In order to meet the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities) degree, students must complete:
(a) an arts major (48 points)
(b) a psychology major (54 points) (students who wish to undertake the additional unit required for registration with the Australian Psychological Society may do so as part of their elective credit points)
(c) a minimum of eight and a maximum of 10 first-level units, including a first-level sequence in psychology, a first-level sequence in the proposed arts major and two additional first-level sequences which must be chosen from arts disciplines
(d) a minimum of 36 points at third-year level

(e) a total of 144 points (24 units).

Course plan

An example of a course plan for the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities) is shown below:

Arts major studies

For a listing of the arts major and minor sequences that may be included in the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Humanities), refer to the entry for the Bachelor of Arts.

Psychology major sequence

The APS-accredited psychology major (60 points) comprises the following units:

Level one

• PSY1011 Psychology 1A
• PSY1022 Psychology 1B

Level two

• PSY2031 Developmental and biological psychology
• PSY2051 Research design and analysis
• PSY2042 Cognitive and social psychology

Level three

• PSY3041 Psychological testing, theories of ability and ethics
• PSY3051 Perception and personality
• PSY3032 Abnormal psychology
• PSY3062 Research methods and philosophy of psychology

Elective units

One of the following:

• PSY2112 Organisational psychology
• PSY3131 Health psychology

Advanced standing for previous study

Students with previously completed or partially completed tertiary studies should complete an application for advanced standing to apply for credits and exemptions. The onus is on the student to provide course records and details of course content and duration (including extracts from relevant handbooks). Students in this category are advised to complete a course plan prior to the commencement of study to ensure they will complete the major/s or minor they intend. Students may be granted up to a maximum of 96 points of credits/exemptions. Students wishing to add a psychology major only to an existing degree are advised to consider a Diploma of Psychology or non-award study. For details of this option, the science entry should be consulted in this guide. As a general rule, credits will not be granted for studies completed more than 10 years prior to the date of enrolment in the current course.

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