Postgraduate - Course3231 - Master of Psychology (Counselling)

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a fifth and sixth-year sequence in psychology and prepares graduates to practise as counselling psychologists in a range of settings including hospitals, community centres, schools, tertiary institutions, private practices, industry, health-oriented facilities and similar places.The course trains selected psychology graduates in advanced psychotherapeutic and research skills for registration and practice in the specialism of counselling psychology across the lifespan. In undertaking a minor research thesis, students will increase their ability to function as scientist-practitioners, using quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods to investigate an applied topic relevant to counselling psychology. For more detailed information regarding the role and employment prospects of counselling psychologists, students should consult the College of Counselling Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• apply a range of evidence-based psychotherapies
• apply sound practice principles concerning the psychotherapeutic relationship and interventions with couples, families and groups
• administer and interpret a wide range of psychological tests and assessment instruments
• liaise and work effectively with other mental health and allied health professionals in a range of organisational contexts
• work in ethically appropriate ways in their psychological practice in accordance with the requirements of the profession.
• demonstrate high level skills in mandatory competencies associated with a specialist Counselling Psychology practitioner
• reflect on their own professional and personal functioning within a therapeutic relationship
• demonstrate knowledge of appropriate research methodologies for the study of human behaviour and of psychotherapeutic practice.

Clinical practice units

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

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 uniform and equipment, travel and accommodation expenses incurred during clinical placement and will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

On commencing the program and prior to commencing their placement, students must submit proof of provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia 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 the Psychology Board of Australia and meet most requirements for membership of the College of Counselling Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society.

The course comprises advanced coursework, supervised practica and a research thesis.

Coursework

Core units

• EDF6501 Psychotherapies: Theory and practice
• EDF6502 Clinical assessment and psychopathology
• EDF6503 Advanced professional counselling psychology: Clinical, research and ethical issues
• EDF6517 Research and therapeutic interventions in counselling psychology

Practica and research thesis

In the second year (full-time) or third and fourth years (part-time), students undertake supervised practica and complete a research thesis on a topic relevant to the discipline of counselling psychology.

• EDF6507 Clinical placement in psychology 1
• EDF6508 Clinical placement in psychology 2
• EDF6509 Clinical placement in psychology 3
• EDF6535 Psychology thesis part 1
• EDF6536 Psychology thesis part 2

To satisfy entry requirements for doctoral-level studies (PhD), applicants need to have completed research at either master's or honours level. Master of Psychology by coursework candidates who wish to proceed to a doctoral course must achieve a grade of distinction or higher for the research thesis and an average of distinction or higher in the coursework units for doctoral-level eligibility. Students enrolled in the Master of Psychology (Counselling) who achieve a high distinction average in two of the core units (one of which must be the research project unit) and a minimum overall average of distinction over all four core units will be eligible to apply for articulation to the combined Master of Psychology (Counselling)/Doctor of Philosophy program.

Master of Psychology (Counselling)