Australian Catholic University

What you'll study

The honours year combines advanced coursework in psychological science with an independent, supervised research project (the honours thesis). Core study areas typically include advanced research methods and design, multivariate statistics and data analysis, ethical issues in psychological research, and contemporary topics in cognitive, developmental, social and biological psychology.

• Research methods and statistics: advanced quantitative and qualitative methods, experimental design, measurement and psychometrics, and statistical modelling.
• Honours thesis: a substantial empirical research project carried out under individual supervision, from proposal and ethics approval through data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Specialist seminars: focused units that may cover clinical, developmental, cognitive, social or health psychology depending on staff expertise and campus offerings.
• Professional and ethical practice: training in research ethics, cultural competence, and the responsible conduct of research.

The programme emphasises critical appraisal of evidence, independent scholarly work and the practical application of research skills. Coursework load and the structure of the thesis follow ACU’s honours regulations and are supported by regular supervision and seminar programmes.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to have completed an accredited three‑year sequence or equivalent in psychology that meets the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) standards. Admission also requires meeting ACU’s honours eligibility criteria, which include a minimum academic performance level in prior psychology studies; exact grade or weighted average requirements are set by the university and should be confirmed with ACU.

• Completion of an APAC‑accredited psychology sequence (usually a three‑year major in psychology).
• Sufficient academic performance in prior undergraduate study to meet ACU honours thresholds (check ACU for the current minimum requirement).
• Some applicants may be asked to provide a research proposal, writing sample, or referee reports as part of the selection process.

Meeting honours requirements does not itself confer eligibility for professional registration as a psychologist; graduates seeking professional practice pathways should plan subsequent accredited postgraduate training.

Career prospects

An honours year expands career options by developing research expertise and stronger analytical skills. Common pathways for honours graduates include:

• Continuing to postgraduate professional training (master’s or doctoral programmes) that lead to eligibility for registration as a psychologist.
• Research roles in universities, government departments, health services or industry research centres.
• Positions in allied fields where psychological science is valued, such as community and youth services, human resources, organisational development, program evaluation and market research.
• Policy, advocacy and consultant roles that draw on skills in evidence appraisal, measurement and report writing.

The honours thesis and supervision experience are particularly valuable for applicants to competitive postgraduate research degrees and for roles requiring strong independent research skills.

Why study at Australian Catholic University

ACU offers an honours year within a psychology programme accredited to national standards, with emphasis on personalised supervision and applied research. Students benefit from ACU’s established psychology teaching teams, research centres and partnerships with health and community organisations that can support project work and professional development.

• Research support: access to supervisors with expertise across experimental, clinical and applied psychology areas and to ACU research facilities and groups.
• Student‑centred learning: small honours cohorts and structured supervision provide focused mentoring and academic support.
• Applied opportunities: connections with local health services, schools and community organisations support applied research and networking.
• Accreditation awareness: the programme is structured to align with national accreditation pathways, helping graduates plan for further professional training.

Prospective students should consult ACU’s programme pages and admissions advisors for campus availability, specific entry thresholds and guidance on preparing a competitive application.