This course is offered by the Department of Psychology as a one-year, full-time course in the on-campus mode or as a two-year, part-time course in both on-campus and off-campus learning modes. The course will also be delivered in the off-campus mode in Singapore. Applicants must hold a first degree with an APS-accredited major in psychology.
The course provides advanced study of the discipline, advanced research training and an introduction to psychological practice through studies in counselling, psychological assessment, ethical and professional issues and a placement in a psychological practice. The content of the course is designed both for persons wishing to undertake supervised psychological practice upon completion of the course and for persons wishing to pursue more advanced postgraduate training at masters or doctoral level. Students in the off-campus mode will be required to attend four five-day workshop programs during the duration of the course.
A limited number of places in some components of the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology are available for applicants who have already completed an APS-accredited fourth-year degree in psychology, or who are currently registered psychologists. This option is not intended as an alternative form of entry to fourth year. The research component is only available to those students undertaking the complete course.
The course has full accreditation from of the Australian Psychological Society as an approved fourth year of study in psychology.
Admission to the course is open to applicants who possess a bachelors degree and a major in psychology from any course accredited by the Australian Psychological Society with at least a credit average in third-level psychology.
Students are required to attend four five-day workshop programs during the duration of the course. The programs are devoted to key aspects of course content and experiential components of the curriculum, and attendance is compulsory.
The course comprises five components. The sequence in which components are undertaken may be varied (within timetabling constraints) according to the experience, interests and career plans and enrolment status of individual students, in consultation with the postgraduate diploma coordinator. It is not advisable for a student to attempt the research project before undertaking the research and design component. The five components, and their contribution to the final mark, are:
Students are required to take one topic from elective A studies. These may include:
Students are required to take two topics from elective B studies. These may include:
In selecting elective B studies, students should check with the
Psychologists Registration Board in their state that their combined fourth-year
and undergraduate studies meet registration requirements, as it is usually
necessary to have completed studies in psychological assessment in order to
commence supervised practice.
Note that not all electives will be offered each year.
Assessment involves both assignments and examinations. Assignments cover a variety of formats including essays, reports, presentations, counselling tapes, assessment reports, research proposals, and reviews of methodology of published articles. A major course requirement is the compilation of a report of an individual research project (PSY4511).
There are no credits/exemptions for this course, except for units undertaken as part of a fourth year in psychology approved by the Australian Psychological Society.
For general information, contact the Department of Psychology on telephone (03) 9903 2691 or (03) 9905 3908, email 4thyearpsych.enquiries@med.monash.edu.au. Website http://www.med.monash.edu.au/psych/student/4thyear.
An application form for the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology can be obtained from September 2003 at http://www.med.monash.edu.au/psych/student/4thyear and should be completed and submitted online by 31 October 2003 to be considered for a first-round offer.
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