Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation CouncilAustralian Psychology Accreditation Council (https://www.psychologycouncil.org.au/) (APAC) as a fifth and sixth year sequence in psychology. It will prepare you to practise as an educational and developmental psychologist in a range of settings including primary and secondary schools, health and welfare services, hospitals, care facilities, clinics and private practice and within business and corporate environments.

The course will develop you as an evidence-based practitioner and an independent specialist professional who has the theoretical, research, assessment and therapeutic skills required in educational and developmental psychology. You will develop an advanced ability to think critically and analytically about the processes involved in educational and developmental psychology and to apply them in clinical practice and in research.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

1. think critically and analytically about the processes involved in educational and developmental psychology
2. administer and interpret a wide range of psychological, educational and developmental tests and assessments
3. plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions with individuals, groups and systemically
4. effectively consult and collaborate across a diverse range of organisational contexts including educational, health and welfare, care facilities, business and corporate
5. behave in ethically appropriate ways in your psychological practice according to the requirements of the profession
6. demonstrate high level skills in mandatory competencies associated with a specialist educational and developmental psychology practitioner
7. reflect on your own personal functioning within a therapeutic relationship
8. demonstrate knowledge of appropriate research methodologies for the study of human behaviour and of psychological practice.

Special requirements

The Psychology Board of Australia requires that any applicant, whether domestic or international, who has completed secondary or tertiary studies in a language other than English must supply an IELTS and gain test results that meet English language requirements for provisional registration as a psychologist before commencing the course.

Clinical placements

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placement activities. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each applicable unit. In the clinical setting students have an opportunity to develop their practice under supervision.

Clinical expenses

Students are responsible for all uniform, equipment, travel, accommodation and any other expenses incurred during clinical placement and will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Mandatory checks and security clearances

Upon commencing the course and before 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.

A minimum six-year sequence of education and training in psychology is required for an individual to become eligible for general registration as a psychologist in Australia. Registration requirements are determined by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) (http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/) consistent with the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme. You can read more about the pathways to registration on the Australian Psychological Society (APS)Australian Psychological Society (APS) (https://www.psychology.org.au/) website.

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) (https://www.psychologycouncil.org.au/) and meets the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) (https://www.ahpra.gov.au/) requirements for a fifth and sixth year in psychology.

If your application for the course is successful, you must then apply for and obtain provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia before commencing your study, and maintain such registration throughout your period of enrolment.

With a further two years of supervised practice in educational and developmental psychology, graduates are currently eligible for endorsement as Educational and Developmental Psychologists with the Psychology Board of Australia. Graduates also qualify for membership of the Australian Psychological Society, and meet most requirements for membership of the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society.

From 30 June 2016, the Psychology Board of Australia requires applicants for general registration who have completed an APAC-accredited master's, doctorate or combined master's/PhD to sit the National Psychology examination.

The course is structured in two parts, Part A. Applied academic studies in psychology and Part B. Clinical placement in psychology.

Part A. Applied academic studies in psychology (72 points)

These studies will advance your knowledge and skill development for psychology practice. Guided by sound ethical principles, and through collaborative participation in coursework lectures and workshops, you will develop both expert knowledge of psychology across the lifespan and your critical thinking skills for professional practice.

You will also undertake research, developing as a scientist-practitioner, as you carry out reviews and scientific investigations relevant to the theory and practice of educational and developmental psychology. This will culminate in a 12,000-16,000 word research thesis, involving an independent empirical investigation of a high scientific standard.

Part B. Clinical placement in psychology (24 points)

These studies are practicum placements across a variety of settings where you have the opportunity to apply theory to practice under the supervision of experienced specialist practitioners. You will complete three supervised placements totalling 1000 recorded hours of practical experience.

The course comprises 96 points of study, structured into two parts, Part A. Applied academic studies in psychology and Part B. Clinical placement in psychology. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each applicable unit.

You must successfully maintain and complete a practice log and e-journal as part of your course requirements. Both must be submitted to be eligible for course completion.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-d6007.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 12 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Applied academic studies in psychology (72 points)

Students complete:

• EDF5720 Developmental psychology and counselling and research
• EDF5721 Clinical interventions in educational and developmental psychology
• EDF5722 Cognitive, personality and educational assessment
• EDF5723 Exceptionality: Assessment and intervention
• EDF5741 Psychology thesis part 1
• EDF5742 Psychology thesis part 2

Part B. Clinical placement in psychology (24 points)

Students complete:

• EDF5731 Clinical placement in psychology 1 (0 points)
• EDF5732 Clinical placement in psychology 2
• EDF5733 Clinical placement in psychology 3

Doctor of Philosophy

Students may be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) if they meet Monash University Institute of Graduate Research eligibility requirements of a weighted average mark of 70 per cent (distinction) for all units, and have achieved a minimum mark of 70 per cent (distinction) in each of the following two units:

• EDF5741 Psychology thesis part 1
• EDF5742 Psychology thesis part 2

Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology/Doctor of Philosophy

To satisfy entry requirements for doctoral studies (PhD), applicants need to have completed research at either master's or honours level. After successful completion of the first year of the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology, students may be invited for admission to the combined course 3736 Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy. To be eligible students must have achieved (a.) and (b.) as below:

(a.) a minimum overall weighted average mark of 70 per cent (distinction) over the following four units:

• EDF5720 Developmental psychology and counselling and research
• EDF5721 Clinical interventions in educational and developmental psychology
• EDF5722 Cognitive, personality and educational assessment
• EDF5723 Exceptionality: Assessment and intervention

(b.) a weighted average mark of 80 per cent (high distinction) in two units including:

• EDF5720 Developmental psychology and counselling and research

and one of the following units:

• EDF5721 Clinical interventions in educational and developmental psychology
• EDF5722 Cognitive, personality and educational assessment
• EDF5723 Exceptionality: Assessment and intervention