Undergraduate - Course3936 - Honours degree of Bachelor of Arts

Honours is a prestigious program comprising a fourth year of specialised coursework and research which follows the completion of the normal requirements of the Bachelor of Arts pass degree. Students choose a topic and undertake research working with a supervisor who provides individual guidance and academic counselling. Honours has also traditionally prepared the way for academic or higher research career choices.

Honours studies may be taken as single honours (a single discipline over one year of full-time study), double honours (two disciplines over two years of full-time study) or combined honours (two disciplines over one year of full-time study).

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate advanced knowledge of a specialised field of study in the arts and social sciences and the ability to critically review the scholarly literature in this field
• demonstrate the skills of written and oral presentation, argument and analysis, including other practical skills necessary to produce research papers, reports and theses
• demonstrate understanding of the role and benefits of arts and social science disciplines in society
• identify the ethical and professional responsibilities of the researcher, whether in an academic, government, industry or civil society work environment
• demonstrate understanding of the processes involved in the design, development and implementation of a research project in the chosen field of study
• analyse a research problem or topic from a variety of perspectives to reveal new ways of understanding or explaining the issue or devising solutions to the problem
• demonstrate the skills of verbal and written communication, as well as the ability to work independently and in teams, in order to effectively present knowledge and research findings to expert and general audiences
• demonstrate the study and research skills and attitudes to support lifelong learning, including the pursuit of advanced studies and learning
• demonstrate skills in problem identification, analysis and evaluation as well as skills in project management that includes time management, budgeting (if applicable) and the management of ethical considerations.

Students must have:

• completed a degree, with a major (48 points or the equivalent) in the intended honours discipline
• obtained at least a distinction average (70 per cent) in the honours discipline(s) to the value of 24 points at second and third-year level, of which at least 18 points must be at third-year level.

Contact the relevant school for any additional or special requirements.

Students qualified to enter an honours program must normally do so within five years of the date on which they completed their undergraduate studies.

Students, in consultation with and under the direct supervision of a member/s of the academic staff:

(a.) carry out a program of research on an agreed topic approved by the faculty in the student's chosen discipline, including attending and/or presenting at seminars, undertaking any required coursework studies and other related activities as indicated by the faculty

(b.) submit for assessment a thesis of a specified length on the program of research which meets the requirements of the examiners.

• Communications
• International studies
• Journalism
• Psychology
• Writing

Refer to 'Areas of study' for discipline-specific requirements.

Combined honours

Combined honours may be undertaken, provided that all honours requirements have been met in both disciplines. Application to undertake combined honours must be made with the support of the school honours coordinators of both disciplines. Combined honours normally take the form of a joint dissertation (50 per cent in each discipline) alongside coursework chosen from the two component disciplines.

Honours in psychology

The psychology honours program is run by the School of Psychology and Psychiatry. Students must complete (all units are 6 points unless otherwise indicated):

• PSY4100 Psychology honours research project (24 points - full-year)
• PSY4210 Statistics and research design for professional psychology
• PSY4220 Ethical and professional issues in psychology
• PSY4270 Psychological assessment

plus the following elective unit:

• PSY4110 Psychology in society

The honours degree of Bachelor of Arts