Differences between psychology?

[Globe]

Hey guys,

Are there any differences from studying psychology as a part of arts, as opposed to studying it inside a bachelor of science? Also, I noticed that there's a complete bachelor of psychology that can also be completed. If anyone could explain what the differences are between these three options it would be greatly appreciated.

(Just for reference right now I'm leaning towards studying a bachelor of arts @ Monash, doing criminology and psychology, and then hopefully transferring into law as a double degree with arts).

Thanks!

[VanillaRice]

Hey there,

Comparing Psychology between Arts and Science - there is no difference. Psychology units are run by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and regardless of whether you complete a Psychology major through Arts or Science, you will be completing the same units (subjects). Of course, there will be differences between the degrees themselves e.g. The units you take will be more limited towards Arts or Science units.

The Bachelor of Psychology will be primarily focused on the area of psychology, at a relatively deep level. You will have less freedom in choosing free electives, but this means that you will be studying more psychology units (including some which you would not normally be able to complete as an Arts/Science student).

Your choice would also depend on whether you're interested in becoming an accredited psychologist. I found this link which might be of use. Note: From what I've read, the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) will satisfy the first two steps in the pathway, while studying Psychology within Arts/Science will only satisfy step 1.

Hope that helps!

[www]

To add on to VanillaRice's post and for the benefit of anyone else reading:

If you do Arts or Science and you want to work towards becoming a psychologist, to satisfy step 1 you must do the extended major and not the major (10 units versus 8 units). To satisfy step 2, you would then apply for and pass an honours year or graduate diploma in Psychology.

The Bachelor of Psychology also only satisfies step 2 if you meet the requirements to enter and pass your honours year (your fourth year), otherwise, you will graduate with a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the end of your third year.

[Globe]

Thanks so much for both those replies! Just another quick question, how early on into my degree would I need to decide that I want to do an extended major in psychology? (If I wanted to work onto becoming an accredited psychologist)

[www]

Thanks so much for both those replies! Just another quick question, how early on into my degree would I need to decide that I want to do an extended major in psychology? (If I wanted to work onto becoming an accredited psychologist)

When you do all the enrolment stuff for Monash, they do ask you to nominate your areas of study, but this is not set in stone.

For example, at the start of my second year, I had nominated Psychology as my major, but in the middle of the year, I changed it to an extended major. I then picked my units to qualify for the extended major instead. Even now entering my final year, I could switch back to just a major if I wanted to and alter my unit choices accordingly. Just recently, I added a nomination for a Philosophy minor because it turns out I was on my way to completing enough units for it, despite having never planned to a minor in Philosophy at all. Your unit selection is what determines your majors/minors in the end.

This probably won't make much sense to you right now, but once you're in uni, it'll make much more sense after a semester or two. There's also course advice services and your faculty help desk to assist you in structuring your course and guide you through any changes you wish to make regarding your decisions about majors/minors once you're a student.