Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

The DPsych program has established a network of placements in a variety of settings within which students can receive appropriate practica training. The practica coordinator and staff at the agency arrange the placements. Student preferences, practica availability and student training needs are taken account of in this process. Which agency and supervisor, number of days for the practica and also the commencement and completion dates are specified. Students are not permitted to negotiate their own practica or change any practica arrangements without first obtaining approval from the University Practica Coordinator.

Objectives

On completion of the initial practicum, students will be:

1. expected to have gained an appreciation of the professional role a psychologist in practice and to have an understanding of the delivery of a service to patients, clients and other interested parties;
2. to have acquired an understanding of the context of the delivery of the service and the particular function it serves to the individual and the community at large;
3. to have developed an appreciation of the competing demands on service delivery and the range of issues which impact on service delivery;
4. expected to become proficient in establishing rapport with patients, administering and scoring the commonly used intellectual, diagnostic and personality tests, integrating the results and providing appropriate oral and written reports;
5. expected to have developed an understanding of the functioning of a multi-disciplinary team and the role of its various members.

Assessment

The student's performance at each practica is graded pass or fail. The grade is determined by the DPsych Board of Studies at the completion of each practicum. Satisfactory completion of a practica requires that the student has both performed satisfactorily in the practica and that all documentation in relation to the practica has been signed and returned to the Practica Coordinator at the University. For further details about practica requirements and expectations of students, please see the document entitled Practica Report - a copy of which is available in the appendix of this handbook. Students are advised to familiarise themselves with this document prior to commencing any practica. Further detailed advice on practica requirements will be provided to students prior to commencing the first practica.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Lillian Nejad