Three
Doctor of Pscychology programs are offered: the DPsych in Clinical Psychology,
the DPsych in Clinical Neuropsychology, and the DPsych in Organisational
Psychology. The two clinical programs are offered jointly by the Department of
Psychology (Faculty of Science) and Department of Psychological Medicine
(Faculty of Medicine). The DPsych in Organisational Psychology is offered by
the Department of Psychology (Faculty of Science).
Each DPsych is a research degree consisting of a combination of research,
coursework and supervised practical experience. All DPscych programs are
administered by the PhD and Scholarships Committee under the rules and
regulations applying to doctoral degrees unless stipulated otherwise by the
committee.
Applicants
for the DPsych must have completed an approved bachelors degree with honours
(first or upper second) in psychology or equivalent. In addition to their
academic record, students are selected on the basis of their personal
suitability for clinical psychology with such factors as referees' reports and
presentation at a selection interview considered. Students selected for the
DPsych whose academic records show deficiencies in research methods,
statistics, human development, personality theory, abnormal psychology and/or
psychological assessment are required to undertake a course of readings prior
to commencement of the program.
Enrolment into the DPsych will be contingent upon the applicant submitting a
brief research proposal and arrangements put in place for supervision of the
research project, and approval of the PhD and Scholarships Committee. Enrolment
will be probationary for the first year with firm admission to the program
granted at the end of the first year if performance on all components is
satisfactory.
The course takes place at a number of different venues, including Monash
University Clayton campus, Caulfield campus, the various campuses of the School
of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine and other settings
appropriate to the areas of specialisation; students should thus be prepared
for some travelling between venues.
Each of the degrees is based on 48 weeks of study in each of three-and-a-half years, and comprise three components:
The first two years must be taken on a full-time basis. Students wishing to complete the DPsych in three-and-a-half years can take the final 18 months on a full-time basis; those who opt to complete the final 18 months on a half-time basis will need a total of five years to complete the program. Half-time paid internships may be offered to selected students who wish to study half-time while gaining supervised experience.
The thesis is expected to provide a significant contribution to knowledge and/or practice in the relevant field of specialisation and to demonstrate the capacity of the student to carry out independent research. The word length of the thesis is approximately 60,000 to 70,000 words.
Students will complete a minimum of three practica (125 days) in a variety of settings.
The
thesis is marked by two external examiners. Coursework is assessed using the
Monash University system of grades. Participation in seminars and practical
sessions is taken into consideration in the assessment process. Performance in
practica is assessed as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory, with supervisors
providing detailed reports on students' progress.
Students should note that satisfactory performance in all three components is
necessary throughout the course, and that progression is always contingent upon
satisfactory completion of previous requirements. In addition, an assessment of
personal suitability to undertake or continue work as a clinical psychologist
will be made prior to each practicum. Students who fail the meet the required
standards in the first year will be required to leave the program. Students may
seek admission or transfer to other programs of study.
Clayton
campus
The DPsych in Clinical Neuropsychology prepares psychology graduates for
careers in a broad range of settings by providing advanced training in both
research and the skills required for practice in clinical neuropsychology, a
field which applies an understanding of the neural basis of cognition,
behaviour and emotion to the assessment and treatment of adults and children
with neurological disorders. Clinical neuropsychologists are employed in acute
hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care programs, psychiatric settings and
paediatric facilities. Private practitioners undertake a range of work,
including medico-legal assessments.
A feature of the DPsych is that its training in clinical neuropsychology is
extended through optional coursework in a choice of specialised professional
areas. Students may opt to study forensic psychology, with its focus on the
application of psychological knowledge to the understanding, assessment and
management of individuals in the legal system, or health/medical psychology,
with its focus on the application of psychological knowledge to the promotion
and maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of illness.
The program has been designed to be consistent with the requirements of the
following organisations:
(a) Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria for registration as a
psychologist and for specialist registration as a clinical neuropsychologist.
(b) Australian Psychological Society for membership and for associate
membership of the College of Clinical Neuropsychologists. In general, a further
two years of supervised relevant experience will be necessary for full
membership of the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists and for
registration as a specialist clinical neurospsychologist.
Completion of an option should satisfy the academic requirements for membership
of the APS Colleges of Forensic or Health Psychologist.
Clayton
campus
The DPsych in Clinical Psychology prepares psychologists, using the
scientist-practitioner model, to conduct research in applied areas of
psychology and to work as clinical psychologists in the assessment and
treatment of adults and children with relatively severe emotional and/or
behavioural disorders.
A feature of the DPsych is that its training in clinical psychology is extended
through coursework in a choice of specialised professional areas. Students may
opt to study forensic psychology, with its focus on the application of
psychological knowledge to the understanding, assessment and management of
individuals in the legal system, or health/medical psychology, with its focus
on the application of psychological knowledge to the promotion and maintenance
of health and the prevention and treatment of illness.
The DPsych in Clinical Psychology has been accredited by the Australian
Psychological Society for the purpose of full membership of the society. In
addition, it has been approved by the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.
Students are also able to apply to the Victorian Psychologists Registration
Board for full registration as professional psychologists after completing the
program.
In general, a further two years of supervised relevant experience will be
necessary for full membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists and
for registration as a specialist clinical psychologist. Completion of an option
should satisfy the academic requirements for membership of the APS Colleges of
Forensic or Health Psychologists.
Caulfield
campus
The DPsych in Organisational Psychology is offered at the Caulfield campus. It
prepares psychology graduates for academic/research and professional careers by
providing advanced training in both research and the skills required for
practice in Organisational Psychology.
It is intended that completion of the DPsych in Organisational Psychology will
qualify students for membership of the Australian Psychological Society and
registration as a psychologist in the State of Victoria; the program is
designed to satisfy the academic training requirements for membership of the
APS College of Organisational Psychologists and registration as an
organisational psychologist. In general, a further two years of supervised
relevant experience will be necessary for full membership of an APS college and
for registration as a specialist psychologist.
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