Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The practicum develops a range of professional skills and acquaints students with issues of professional ethics and practice in psychology. Students spend between three and four days per week on placement. In all, students undertake three placements (one minor and two major). Total hours on placement must be at least 1000 (125 days) over the three placements. Students are supervised on site by their field supervisors and also have regular contact with their university supervisors. Clinical placement in psychology 3 is usually undertaken in semester 02.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the three practica units, students should have:

• developed advanced knowledge and skills for assessment, counselling and intervention; advanced report writing skills;
• an advanced knowledge of local human service systems and an applied understanding of legal and ethical issues relevant to the specialist fields of counselling psychology or educational & developmental psychology.

Assessment

Written case study (4800 words equiv.): 60%
Supervisor evaluations (3200 word equiv.): 40%.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Janette Simmonds (First semester)
Dr John Roodenburg (Second semester)

Contact hours

432 hours (54 days) of clinical placement experience, including a minimum of 125 client contact hours (some days and hours may be transferred between the three placements with the permission of the placement coordinator).

Prerequisites

Satisfactory performance in relevant academic units