THIRD YEARS
Third year is where everything starts coming together. You’ll apply the research, psychological theories, and practical skills you’ve learnt over the past two years to more complex topics.
What to Expect
Third year is challenging, but it’s also where psychology and counselling become incredibly rewarding. You’ll begin seeing how everything you’ve learnt connects together, while taking the first real steps toward the career you want.
Advanced Techniques
You’ll move beyond introductory concepts and begin exploring specialised areas of psychology and counselling in much greater depth.
Bigger Assessments
For psychology students assessments and research projects require stronger critical thinking. For counselling students, field placements become reality.
Future Planning
Whether you’re aiming for Honours, postgraduate study or entering the workforce, third year is when planning for life after your bachelor’s degree becomes important.
Third year marks the end of both psychological science and counselling. And while that might still be a long time away, it’s important to remember to celebrate everything you’ve achieved already and start preparing for whatever comes next. Honours students can do the same, but preparing for the future will just involve further study.
psychology
By third year, you’ll probably notice how much your perspective has changed since first year. As you prepare for Honours, postgraduate study, or graduate employment, this year is all about applying what you’ve learnt and discovering where your interests truly lie.
Trimester One
Survey Design and Analysis
Learn how to design high-quality surveys, collect meaningful data and analyse results using advanced statistical techniques.
What You'll Learn
- Statistics Revision; Survey Approaches & Design
- Sampling & Intro to Bivariate Regression
- Bivariate Regression
- Multiple Regression
- Regression Assumptions
- Non-Parametric Approaches
- Chi-square Analyses
- Longitudinal Designs
- Open Science
Useful Resources
GPCA Tip
Start your assignment very early. Marking is super harsh. And remember to study for your exams. Knowing SPSS won’t be enough to get good grades.
Difficulty
Interest
Abnormal Psychology
Study psychological disorders using current diagnostic frameworks while exploring their causes, assessment and treatment.
What You'll Learn
- Classification and Diagnosis
- Signs and Symptoms of Psychopathology
- Anxiety Disorders
- PTSD and OCD
- Mood Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Addictive Disorders
- Somatic Symptom and Dissociative Disorders
- Sexual Disorders
Useful Resources
GPCA Tip
Mini-lectures (ML) are very simple, which can be a bad thing if you don’t learn enough. Readings can be helpful as a supplement, but the videos between ML are mostly useless.
Difficulty
Interest
Trimester Two
Psychological Assessment of Individual Differences
Explore how psychologists assess personality, intelligence and individual differences using psychological tests.
What You'll Learn
- Psychological Assessment
- What Makes a Good Test?
- Reliability & Validity
- Test Development
- Factor Analysis & Intelligence
- Intelligence Testing
- Educational Testing
- Personality Assessment: Overview
- Personality Assessment: Methods
- Future of Testing
- Testing & Assessment in Action
Useful Resources
GPCA Tip
Tutorials are pivotal but the major topics can be reattended during consultation hours. If you cannot attend one, try to attend the other.
Difficulty
Interest
Behaviour Change Skills
Learn how psychological principles can be applied to help people change behaviours related to health, wellbeing and performance.
What You'll Learn
- Multi-level Influences of Behaviour
- Behavioural Nonadherence
- The RE-AIM Framework
- Behaviour Change Functions and Techniques
- Behaviour Change Counselling
- Using Small Groups for Behaviour Change
- Organisational-level Behaviour Change
- Population-level Behaviour Change
- Ethical Considerations
- Cultural Considerations
- Common Errors
Useful Resources
GPCA Tip
Time to reassess and readminister the basics. Assignments are getting harder and more demanding. Make sure you’re hitting your basics before applying greater depth, which will be needed.
Difficulty
Interest
counselling
Third year is where everything begins to come together. You’ll continue developing your counselling skills while preparing to work with clients through supervised practical experiences. And once you’re done you’ll be qualified to become a counsellor.
Trimester One
Counselling Practicum 1: Applying Theory
After spending years learning the theory behind effective counselling, this course is your chance to put those skills into practice through hands-on experiences, feedback, and reflection.
What You'll Learn
- Apply counselling theories practically
- Develop professional counselling skills
- Conduct case formulation confidently
- Practice ethical client care
- Build reflective practice habits
- Real-world Counselling Experience
- Motivated Reflection
Useful Resources
GPCA Tip
Take small reflective notes at the end of every session and / or day, so they can be used in your portfolios.
Difficulty
Interest
Counselling Development 1
A practical course focused on developing communication, self-awareness and interpersonal skills that are essential for psychology and counselling professionals.
What You'll Learn
- CBT principles and How to Apply Them
- ACT principles and How to Apply Them
- Case Formulation
- Intervention Planning
- Client Monitoring Using Therapeutic Approaches
- Applying Psychoeducation with Clients
- How to Develop Coping Strategies with Clients
- A Deeper Understanding of Client Process
Useful Resources
GPCA Tip
Don’t treat this class the same as you would earlier years. Everything is taken a bit more seriously, so put in extra effort, even to the areas where you’re already proficient.
Difficulty
Interest
Trimester Two
Counselling Practicum 2: Reflective Practice
Put your counselling knowledge into practice through a supervised professional placement, where you’ll work with real clients, build confidence as a counsellor, and develop the skills needed to transition into professional practice.
What You'll Learn
- Provide professional counselling sessions
- Develop client case formulations
- Strengthen ethical practice skills
- Build professional counselling confidence
- Enhance reflective practice abilities
- Work within multidisciplinary teams
- Develop cross-cultural counselling skills
- Complete professional case documentation
- Build effective therapeutic relationships
- Prepare for counselling careers
Useful Resources
GPCA Tip
Take small reflective notes at the end of every session and / or day, so they can be used in your portfolios. You should understand the process by now, but don’t let that make you sloppy.
Difficulty
Interest
Counselling Development 2
Explore contemporary counselling approaches that empower clients to reshape their stories and build on their strengths. Through supervised practice and reflection, you’ll develop the skills to confidently apply Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy with diverse clients.
What You'll Learn
- Apply Narrative Therapy technique
- Use Solution-Focused strategies
- Develop collaborative counselling skills
- Support client strengths and growth
- Work with diverse clients
- Build reflective practice skills
- Develop professional counselling identity
- Create effective therapeutic conversations
- Understand postmodern counselling approaches
- Facilitate client-led change
Useful Resources
GPCA Tip
Keep an open mind. Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy often feel very different from traditional counselling approaches. Focus on being curious about your client’s story rather than trying to solve their problems.
Difficulty
Interest
Attend Lectures
Even if recordings are available, attending in person helps you stay engaged and gives opportunities to ask questions.
Keep Up-to-Date
Psychology builds on previous topics. Missing one or two weeks can quickly become difficult to catch up.
Use Consultation Hours
Your tutors genuinely want to help. And this is a great way to catch up on content.
Start Assignments Early
Research reports and essays often take much longer than expected.
Form Study Groups
Talking through difficult concepts is often one of the best ways to learn.
Start Thinking Ahead
Research career and postgraduate pathways early rather than waiting until graduation.
Frequently Asked questions
Psychology Questions
What GPA do I need for Honours?
The higher the better. The cutoff for Griffith is a 5.0 and remember this is an average across all courses.
Additionally, programs at different universities can be more forgiving. For instance, Bond University is known to accept candidates with less than a 5.0 GPA. But this is still subject to availability.
What can I do if I don't get into Honours?
Option 1: transfer out of the Honours program and graduate with a Bachelor Degree
Option 2: apply to other universities like Bond who might accept those with a lower GPA
Option 3: retake courses to increase your GPA and apply again at another time
Can I take a gap year before postgraduate study?
Yes. Griffith will keep record of your grades for up to five years and you can apply for Honours and postgraduate pathways at any time if you meet the entry requirements.
Should I start applying for jobs?
- Scoring a part time job in an area of interest would be incredibly beneficial
- If you are planning on further education, more than part time will likely be too much
What can I do with a Bachelor degree?
Counselling Questions
What happens if I feel nervous about seeing clients?
Everyone gets nervous. Nerves are beneficial. They help you learn more efficiently. But don’t stress yourself out unnecessarily. You’ll have plenty of supervision and no one will expect proficiency from someone with no experience.
Don’t focus on doing well. Focus on gaining experience.
What careers can I apply for after graduation?
Common graduate roles:
- General counselling
- Substance abuse counselling
- Youth and family counselling
- Relationship counselling
- Grief support
- Correctional services
- Telephone or crisis support
You’ll also have the foundation to pursue further study or professional development toward roles such as:
- Career counsellor
- Rehabilitation counsellor
- Guidance counsellor or mediator
Do I need postgraduate study to become a counsellor?
No. But your career has more potential with further study. On average, counsellors with further study can earn up to $30k-$40k more.
That being said, if your goal is a higher income, not everything depends on education. Sometimes gaining experience and maintaining ambition is more important.
How can I prepare for my practicum?
Practice, ironically. Which you’ve already done. You have everything you need.
Talk with others in your class. When you pool your worries, and your preparation, you’ll be more ready than you can imagine.
Looking ahead
This year isn’t just about finishing your degree, it’s about discovering the kind of professional you want to become.
The theories you’ve learnt, the research you’ve completed, and the practical skills you’ve developed have all prepared you for the next step. Wherever your journey leads, supporting clients, conducting research, improving workplaces, or continuing your studies, you’ll be building on the strong foundation you’ve created over the past three years.
Take pride in what you’ve achieved, and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.