3509 - Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology

This course is offered by the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine and is taught jointly with the Faculty of Education. 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 those wishing to pursue more advanced postgraduate training at masters or doctoral level.

Assessment

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 literature review and a report of an individual research project (PSY4518).

The aims of this course are: to provide students with advanced research training whereby they will conduct an individual research project under supervision of a member of the academic staff; to develop both research skills appropriate for further study and for consumers of psychological research; to provide students with an orientation to psychological practice through the study of a number of applied topics using the scientist practitioner model.

The course comprises four core units and two electives. The sequence in which components are undertaken may be varied in consultation with the coordinator and within timetabling constraints, according to the experience, interests and career plans and enrolment status of individual students.

It is not advisable for a student to attempt the research project before undertaking the research and design component. Research supervision opportunities will be provided by staff of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Education.

Core units

Students complete:

• PSY4503 Psychological assessment (6 points)
• PSY4504 Ethics and professional issues (6 points)
• PSY4510 Research project proposal (hurdle requirement) (0 points)
• PSY4518 Research project (includes statistics and research design) (24 points)

Electives

Elective A

Students are required to take one six-point unit from elective A studies. These include:

• PSY4507 Contemporary issues in psychobiology
• PSY4508 Contemporary issues in cross-cultural psychology
• PSY4509 Contemporary issues in cognition - psycholinguistics
• PSY4512 Contemporary issues in developmental psychology

Elective B

Students are required to take one unit from elective B studies. These include:

• PSY4501 Counselling
• PSY4506 Psychological practice (placement)
• PSY4513 Behaviour change interventions for practitioners

Successful graduates may continue on to one of the Master of Psychology courses or other higher degrees by research.

The course has full accreditation from of the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council as an approved fourth year of study in psychology.

Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology

Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology (Internal)

* Where more than one award is listed, or in the case of double degrees, where more than one award is listed for one or both components of the double degree, the actual award/s conferred may depend on units/majors/streams/specialisations studied, the level of academic merit achieved (eg in the case of 'with honours' programs), or other factors relevant to the individual student's program of study.