Caution
Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1037-0919
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
The course provides an introduction to the professional practice of psychology and aims to establish a foundation of knowledge in counselling and related disciplines. The guiding orientation of the course is towards helping individuals with socio-emotional problems and includes the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological difficulties other than psychotic illness, and the promotion and maintenance of psychological well-being.
The content of the course is designed for individuals wishing to work in the field of counselling psychology and community development. The course is particularly relevant for people working in community health centres, community welfare agencies and educational establishments.
+ GAS4502 Research methods in counselling psychology
+ GAS4503 Psychological assessment
+ GAS4510 Research project A
+ GAS4505 Counselling theory and practice B
+ GAS4511 Research project
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology a student shall (a) complete all the prescribed seven subjects of study; and (b) attend four residential schools of five days duration over the two-year period of the course.
In accordance with usual policy the Australian Psychological Society (APsS) has given provisional accreditation for the teaching of this course in the distance education mode.
Further details may be obtained from the administrative officer, Department of Psychology, School of Applied Science.
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will understand and acquire experience in the counselling process; develop attitudes facilitative of effective counselling outcomes, such attitudes including listening, client self-understanding and reflection, non-advice giving, dealing with immediacy in counselling, genuineness, respect, empathy and an action orientation; obtain self-knowledge of the students' own inter-personal functioning and their sensitivity to issues which may present in counselling; be able to describe the major counselling theories currently in use in counselling and psychotherapy, and obtain basic skills in applying these in practice.
Synopsis This subject provides an overview of the theoretical foundation of counselling psychology. A variety of counselling theories and methods will be surveyed. The problem solving approach will form the basis of practical counselling strategy. Students will have the opportunity to acquire counselling skills at residential schools and via casework assignments.
Assessment Progressive assignments: 50% + Examination: 50%
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will have acquired knowledge and attitudes regarding research appropriate for professional practice in psychology; be able to appreciate the role of scientific research in counselling and the value of the scientist-practitioner model; understand how to evaluate the validity of research conclusions, particularly in field settings, understand the theoretical and practical issues involved in selecting appropriate designs, both quantitative and qualitative, for conducting research in field settings where a reduced level of control is possible; appreciate special issues applying to both outcome and process research on counselling, such as biases caused by the research process, uses of analogue studies, and selection of appropriate measures; understand the statistical procedures commonly used in counselling research, and be able to apply these appropriately by the use of computer statistical packages.
Synopsis This subject is designed to provide a review of research design and analysis with special reference to applications in counselling psychology. Topics covered include evaluation of therapies and intervention programs, case studies, counselling process research. It will also include revision of statistical methods and use of SPSSX statistical package for analysing data.
Assessment Two methodology/statistics assignments: 50% + Examination: 50%
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will think of psychological assessment as multi-faceted; understand the importance of reliability, validity and other technical aspects of psychological measurement; understand the advantages and disadvantages of standardised psychometric instruments; be familiar with different kinds of psychological tests.
Synopsis This subject is designed to provide a critical overview of the theory and technique of psychological assessment and diagnosis. The subject introduces methods of assessment, theoretical perspectives on assessment, principles of test construction, testing and evaluation, use of tests and inventories: intelligence, personality, depression, anxiety, stress, occupational interest etc. Students will receive some practical experience in selection, administration, scoring and interpretation of tests during the residential school and in casework assignments.
Assessment Five assignments (one test, four test-related tasks): 50% + Examination: 50%
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will understand the purpose of legislation relating to the practice of psychology and how to comply with such legislation; appreciate the role of ethics in maintaining the integrity and cohesiveness of the profession; become familiar with the ethical principles to be adhered to in psychological practice; understand the psychologist's responsibilities in relation to clients; understand how the responsibilities of the psychologist alter depending on the nature of psychological work being undertaken; develop skills in writing different types of psychological reports.
Synopsis This subject is designed to consider the ethical, legal and social issues involved in psychological practice. The course will cover a wide range of subjects including (a) the APsS Code of Professional Conduct; (b) the Psychologists Registration Act; (c) laws and codes that regulate the conduct of psychologists; and (d) issues arising in psychological practice that present ethical dilemmas and legal responsibilities.
Assessment Progressive coursework: 50% + Examination: 50%
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will have further developed the counselling skills introduced in GAS4501; understood the theoretical basis of cognitive and behavioural therapies; developed specific skills related to cognitive-behaviour therapies to an acceptable basic professional level.
Synopsis This subject provides in depth study of two broad approaches to counselling, namely behavioural and cognitive. Methods of intervention derived from experimental learning theories and cognitive restructuring techniques are considered. Students will have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to the development of counselling skills at residential schools and via case work assignments.
Assessment Progressive assignments: 50% + Examination: 50%
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will be able to apply the skills acquired in GAS4502 (Research methods in counselling psychology) to designing and conducting an independent research project; experience all the steps involved in research, namely formulation of the research hypothesis, design of the study, application for ethical approval for the study, collection and analysis of data to test the research hypothesis, interpretation of the findings; disseminate aspects of the research in a group forum; prepare an assessable report which adheres to the format accepted by scholarly journals.
Synopsis Students are required to conduct a research project under supervision, which will be based on the research proposal submitted in GAS4502. Students are expected to conduct a thorough literature review of the topic of their choice and skills developed in research methods should be applied to the research design and analysis of the project. Students will be required to submit written progress reports to their supervisors at regular intervals throughout the year. Finally, students will write up the research in for the form of a thesis, to a high standard.
Assessment Progressive assessment, supervisor's report, and thesis: 100%
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will
be able to review an area of research in counselling psychology; develop testable research hypotheses, develop appropriate design that will adequately test the proposed hypotheses; demonstrate an awareness of the ethical principles of research on human subjects and the particular issues presented by research in counselling.
Synopsis In this subject students will select an appropriate research topic in an area relevant to counselling psychology and subject to availability of a supervisor. They are required to develop this into a viable research proposal, including a preliminary literature review, and to submit a proposal for ethics approval.
Assessment Research proposal: 50% + Ethics application: 50%
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will be able to demonstrate their ability to complete an individual research project; integrate theoretical concepts with actual research results; write a research report to an appropriate fourth-year standard in the required format.
Synopsis In this subject students will conduct a research project, under supervision, based on the proposal developed in GAS4510. This subject will include data collection, analysis, and preparation of a research report of 5000 to 10,000 words.
Assessment Final report: 100%
There will be no intake in 1996
The course provides an overview of the processes of technological development together with in-depth study of the key elements of such development - materials and their processing, systems and control, and design. A major project subject and two subjects on the methods of teaching technology studies are also included.
Prerequisite studies for the course are limited to one subject of first-level tertiary mathematics (incorporating calculus) and physics to at least Year-12 level. Bridging subjects are available in both these areas for candidates without these prerequisites.
+ GAS1331 Introduction to technological development
+ GAS1332 Working with materials
+ GAS2332 Working with systems 1
+ GAS3333 Working with systems 3
+ GAS3363 Technology studies project
+ GEC6361 Curriculum studies: science/technology secondary I
+ GEC6362 Curriculum studies: science/ technology secondary II
+ GEG1812 Understanding materials 1
+ GEG2452 Working with systems 2
+ GEG2812 Understanding materials 2
+ GEG3664 Design
+ First semester: GAS2332 and GEG1812
+ Second semester: GEG2452 and GEG2812
+ First semester: GAS3333 and GEG3664
+ Second semester: GAS3363
This degree is completed by a supervised research program leading to a thesis.
Persons interested in enrolling in the program are advised to read the paper on `Procedures for applying for candidature for masters by research' available from the Student Administration Office.
The first stage of the program involves enrolment in the single forty-eight point subject GAS7001 (Introduction to Master of Applied Science). Upon satisfactory completion of this subject, students then enrol in the forty-eight point subject GAS8001 (Master of Applied Science), culminating in presentation of the thesis.
Further details are available from the head of school.