Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

The Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/PhD is a four year full time course combining the coursework and placement requirements of the APAC accredited Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) degree with the thesis requirements of the PhD program, with research undertaken in one of the areas listed below. This course has been designed to meet the requirements of the APS College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists and APAC accreditation is being sought for the combined program. Students will initially enter the program through the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/PhD Preliminary. Candidature will be probationary with full admission to the program granted in the last three months of the second year of full time study, or equivalent for part time study if performance on all components, including research confirmation proceedings, is satisfactory.

The course aims to develop graduates as independent specialist professionals with a commitment to life long learning of the theoretical, research, assessment, and therapeutic skills involved in educational and developmental psychology. It aims to develop the ability to think critically and analytically about the processes involved in educational and developmental psychology. Within the context of sound ethical principals, competencies applicable across the lifespan will be developed through collaborative participation in coursework lectures and workshops, research, and practicum placements across a variety of settings under the supervision of experienced specialist practitioners.

Competencies include high professional standards in:

• the administration and interpretation of a comprehensive range of psychological, educational and developmental tests and assessments
• planning, implementation and evaluation of evidence based interventions with individuals, groups and systemically
• the capacity for effective consultation and collaboration across a diverse range of organisational contexts including educational, health and welfare, care facilities, business and corporate.

In undertaking the PhD research thesis, students will develop as scientist-practitioners, carrying out reviews and scientific investigations which make original and substantive contributions relevant to educational and developmental psychology.

Clinical practice units

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit.

Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the unit will be denied. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.

Clinical expenses

Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placement. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Prior to commencing their placement, students must submit proof of provisional registration with the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria and a satisfactory Victorian government Working with Children Check (details available at http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren).

Graduates qualify for registration as a psychologist with Australian State Psychology Registration Boards and meet most requirements for membership of the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society.

Students commence by enrolling for year one in course 3735 Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/PhD Preliminary. This encompasses completion of the initial 48 points of the combined degree consisting of the three course work units plus the research project unit where students commence preparation of their thesis research proposal. The first practicum unit may also be taken in the first year.

Upon satisfactory completion of the first 48 points students will enrol in the research intensive component of the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/PhD. In year two candidates complete the practicum units, further develop and present their research proposal, finalise ethical clearance, and progress the research proposal toward confirmation that takes place in the last three months of the year. Enrolment for the final two years is dependent on students satisfying the confirmation process. On completion of the course, students submit a PhD thesis of between 80,000 and 100,000 words, which is examined according to the Monash Research Graduate School requirements for PhD studies; visit http://www.mrgs.monash.edu.au for details.

Part-time students are enrolled pro-rata completing the first 48 points of work over two years, and on confirmation are enrolled to complete any remaining practicum units and focus on their research from years 3-8.

Students applying for off campus study must be able to ensure regular interactive communication with their supervisor and be able to undertake the equivalent of five days of full-time study within the University each year they are enrolled in the PhD thesis, although this requirement may be relaxed in later years depending on the candidate's progress.

Students enrolled in the off-campus version of the units will be required to attend compulsory one-week (35-hour) residential sessions at the Clayton campus for each of the four core units.

Advanced coursework units

• EDF6504 Developmental psychology and counselling
• EDF6511 Cognitive, personality and educational assessment
• EDF6512 Intervention across the lifespan and research implications

Research project unit

• EDF6510 Exceptionality: Assessment, intervention and research

Practicum units

• EDF6507 Clinical placement in psychology 1
• EDF6508 Clinical placement in psychology 2
• EDF6509 Clinical placement in psychology 3

Research areas

Details of the research interests of staff can be found on their respective web pages; contact the faculty's Research Degrees Office for further information. A wide variety of thesis topics related to educational and developmental psychology across the lifespan are possible, subject to available supervision. These include:

• abilities
• adjustment
• anxiety
• assessment
• attachment
• attitudes
• autism spectrum disorders
• behavioural difficulties
• cognition
• cognitive and behavioural
• coping
• counselling
• disabilities
• exceptionality
• giftedness
• habits and addictions
• human development
• inclusion
• individual differences
• learning disorders
• management
• motivation
• parenting
• personality
• psychopathology
• psychotherapy
• sleep
• social
• stress
• teaching and learning styles
• test construction
• trauma
• well being.

Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy