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Honours information

The Honours program in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Bachelor of Technology Education courses is an intense and exciting research program. It enables students to

  • extend the depth of their Education degree
  • enhance their career pathways
  • develop a basis for gaining entry into the PhD program.

The best Education students will be admitted to the Honours program. Upon successful completion, they will have an excellent chance of being admitted to a PhD program through the School of Education. Some Honours graduates may also be able to obtain scholarships for their PhD studies. For details pertaining to the School's research portfolio see the education and teaching research page.

Honours students in the School of Education will be regarded as budding researchers where they will contribute significantly to the research culture in the School. Through completion of the Honours degree, students will:

  • acquire an understanding of various research methods in the field of education
  • demonstrate content mastery in relation to a substantive issue or problem domain within the field of education
  • demonstrate a capacity to design, frame, conduct and report a small-scale inquiry in the field of education.

Course Structure of the Honours Program

The Honours program in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Bachelor of Technology Education courses is an embedded program. It requires the completion of three Honours units. To receive the award of a BEd (Primary) or a BTech Ed with Honours, a candidate must successfully complete the three units of study below, one of which is double-weighted and requires the development of an Honours thesis of 8,000 – 10,000 words.

  • EDU01550 Understanding Educational Research (12 credit point value)
  • EDU10172 Extended Education Project (24 credit point value)

A supervisor will work with students in conceptualising and developing the Honours thesis as well as providing advice and guidance in other issues related to the Honours program. Students should maintain regular contact with their supervisor to ensure that work on the thesis component is completed at a consistent pace throughout the program.

PDF Download the Honours Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a supervisor?

In selecting a supervisor you should consider relevance to the topic that you wish to research as well as choosing a supervisor with whom you will be able to develop a productive working relationship. The School of Education staff page provides information generally about areas of research strength as well as information about individual lecturers and their area of specialisation. We encourage you to browse these pages and to talk with potential supervisors about their availability.

Your supervisor must be a permanent member of academic staff. Please check with the Honours Coordinator before selecting a supervisor that the person is a permanent staff member.

There may also be opportunities available to join existing Projects within the School of Education and/or co-located Research Centre (Centre for Children & Young People).

How do I know what topic to choose for a thesis?

You are not expected to enter your Honours study with a fully conceptualised question for research! However, you should have some idea of the area of focus you wish to investigate through your research. Identifying a topic and a particular research question is a process that evolves after you begin your studies. One way to help you think about possibilities is to look at the current research within the School of Education and Centre for Children & Young People.

Where should I go for advice during my Honours candidature?

Initially you would discuss matters with your supervisor directly. If your supervisor cannot help you, seek advice from the Honours Coordinator or the Administrative Officer.

Can I make changes to my Honours units?

All students are required to complete the research methodology unit (12 points) and Extended Project Unit (24 points). The dates for discontinuing a unit in Honours are the same as for all undergraduate students. Refer to your Student Diary or check with the Honours Administrator. These dates are most important. If you fail to make your changes on time normal penalties apply. The Census dates are important as no fees refund is possible after these dates pass.

Can I discontinue Honours?

Students may discontinue Honours. Students wishing to discontinue their thesis should discuss the matter with their supervisor and/or Honours Coordinator.

What happens if I fail a coursework unit?

If you fail a coursework unit, you will be required to repeat the unit or a suitable substitute.

What happens if I fail the thesis component?

If you fail the thesis component you will be deemed to have failed the entire program and will be ineligible to take out the Honours degree.

How do I apply for a thesis extension?

Extensions can only be granted by the School of Education Honours Coordinator. You must apply at least two weeks prior to the submission date (via the Special Consideration process). It is important to note that extensions are only granted under exceptional circumstances. Even with exceptional circumstances, only a short amount of time can usually be granted. The submission date of the thesis cannot be extended for those students planning to apply to undertake a PhD (and be considered for a scholarship) in mid/end year scholarship rounds.

More Information

Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie
School of Education Honours Coordinator & Director of Research
Professor (in Sustainability, Environment & Education)
T: (Office): +61 2 6626 9268
M: +61 (0)418 713 758
E: acutterm@scu.edu.au

Sarah Driussi
Honours Course Administration
Student Liaison Officer (Honours)
T: +61 2 6626 9449
F: +61 2 6622 1833
E: honoursed@scu.edu.au

 

Updated: 20 May 2013