Monash University: University Handbooks: Postgraduate Handbook 2001: Subjects indexed by faculty
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Doctor of Psychology


General information

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.

Admission requirements

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.

Course structure

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.

Thesis

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.

Practica

Students will complete a minimum of three practica (125 days) in a variety of settings.

Assessment

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.

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

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.

Coursework and practicum
Year 1
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
Year 2
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
Forensic psychology option
Year 3
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
Health/medical psychology option
Year 3
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology

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.

Coursework and practicum
Year 1
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
Year 2
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
Forensic psychology option
Year 3
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
Health/medical psychology option
Year 3
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
Year 4
SEMESTER 1

Doctor of Psychology in Organisational Psychology

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.

Coursework and placements
Year 1
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2
Year 2
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 2

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