Doctor of Clinical Psychology / Master of Science
Course overview
The School of Psychology offers a double degree which trains psychology graduates in the professional specialisation of clinical psychology: Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science course.
The Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science is recognised, in principle, by the New South Wales Department of Health as qualifying the holder for progression to the grade of Clinical Psychologist.
The course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a 5th, 6th and 7th year of training, and is an approved qualification for Associate Membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA).
The Psychology Board of Australia (PBA), through APAC, recognises the course for the purposes of registration and endorsement of practice in clinical psychology.
The Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science (DCP/MSc) involves three years of full-time study and includes three components; academic course work, supervised clinical placements and research. The academic coursework involves lectures, workshops, forums and seminars by the University academic staff. Qualified Clinical Psychologists provide trainees with supervised clinical practice in the internal off-campus Psychology Clinic as well as a variety of external teaching hospitals and clinics. The program includes a minimum of 1500 hours of clinical placement experience and 600 patient contact hours. The research component requires students to produce a Research Thesis on a clinical topic that fulfills the requirements for a Master of Science degree.
All students enrol in the DCP degree and in their second year enrol in an MSc degree as well. On completion of all the course requirements at the end of third year, students will graduate with a DCP and MSc degree.
Students who demonstrate acceptable academic ability in their initial application and who meet the School's requirements for acceptance into a PhD program (including having a supervisor who agrees to supervise the PhD project) may take the PhD research path, and in their second year enrol directly into a PhD. Students in the MSc research path who wish to upgrade, and who have made excellent progress, and whose projects are of sufficient scope and merit may apply in the first semester of the third year for transfer to a PhD degree, subject to approval and satisfactory production of a thesis proposal which outlines how the thesis, on completion, will make a contribution to knowledge in a specialist area of study.
Selection
Applicants are selected following the evaluation of application forms, supporting documentation and a selection interview. Applicants must meet the admission requirements to be considered for the selection interview (an essential part of the selection process). Offering of places are dependent upon the ranking of applicants and competition for places.
Selection interview criteria:
- Undergraduate academic performance
- Additional academic qualifications in psychology: MSc or PhD in psychology
- Publications: published journal articles, published reports, conference presentations
- Referee reports
- Relevant clinical work experience: Paid work experience (Psychologist, Counsellor, clinically relevant research), Voluntary work experience (teaching, research, other). NB: Receptionist, Shop Assistant, babysitting or similar work is not considered relevant work experience.
Clinical relevance for application
Students applying for the DCP/MSc are not required to have completed an empirical research project in the area of Abnormal Psychology, Clinical Psychology or Neuropsychology.
The selection process aims to identify students with a demonstrated interest in these areas, an awareness of clinical issues, and relevant experience. Clinical relevance can be demonstrated on the basis of projects in many areas of psychology or relevant work experience.
Provisional registration
All intending candidates are required to apply for and gain provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia before commencing their candidature, or if applicable, full registration.
Please note that the Psychology Board of Australia requires that all overseas qualifications be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). See www.psychologyboard.gov.au for more information.
Course structure
The DCP/MSc program is based on a Scientist-Practitioner model with cognitive-behavioural an emphasis, providing students with expertise, both practical and academic, to enable them to work as professional Clinical Psychologists in a variety of clinical settings. Advanced units of study and external placements allow students to develop a breadth of clinical experience as they are introduced to additional therapeutic approaches such as Schema therapy, ACT, DBT, Systems and Child and Family therapy.
Our graduates will have a highly developed knowledge base and strong clinical skills necessary for both the practice of professional psychology on the one hand and conducting psychological research on the other.
Course Rules
Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
In respect of the Doctor of Clinical Psychology component of the combined course, these resolutions must be read in conjunction with the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2010 (the 'Coursework Rule') and the Resolutions of the Faculty of Science relating to Coursework degree. In respect of the Master of Science component, they must be read in conjunction with the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course and stream title |
|---|---|
|
LB001/LC083 |
Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science |
2 Attendance pattern
0.
The attendance pattern for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology is full-time; part-time attendance may be allowed with permission from the Director of Clinical Training. The attendance pattern for the Master of Science is full- or part-time according to candidate choice.
3 Admission to candidature
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit and interview performance, according to the following admissions criteria.
(a)
hold or have completed the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Bachelor of Economics (Social Sciences)(Honours) or Bachelor of Liberal Studies (Honours) from the University of Sydney, with first class honours, or second class honours, division 1, in Psychology, or an equivalent award of the University of Sydney; and
(b)
satisfy the Head of the School of Psychology of his or her personal suitability for the practice of clinical psychology, as determined by personal interview and analysis of units of study completed.
(2)
The Dean or Associate Dean may admit to candidature an applicant who does not meet the requirements of sub-clause (1), provided that the applicant holds a qualification or qualifications that, in the opinion of the Faculty Board of Postgraduate Research, are equivalent to those prescribed in sub-clause (1).
(3)
Admission to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology is available only in the combined course for the degrees of Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science, except as provided in Clause 7 below.
(b)
two referees' reports (one academic, the other either academic or work experience related), as required by the Head of the School of Psychology; and
(c)
a statement certifying the applicant's understanding that, subject to the HDR Rule, if the candidature is successful, his or her thesis will be lodged with the University Librarian and made available for immediate public use.
4 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology component of the combined course are set out in the table of units of study for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science course.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the degrees of Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science, a candidate must:
(c)
conduct research on an approved topic and write a thesis embodying the results of the research, as prescribed in the course resolutions relating to the degree of Master of Science.
5 Progression rules
0.
Candidates will usually enrol part-time in the Master of Science having completed three semesters of the Doctor of Clinical Psychology component, and then change to full-time status following four semesters of enrolment in the DCP. Candidates wishing to transfer to a PhD can seek approval to transfer during their fifth semester of enrolment in the Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree.
6 Cross-institutional study
7 Course transfer
(1)
The Doctor of Clinical Psychology must be completed as part of a combined degree course with either the Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree.
(2)
Candidates in the combined degree course may, with the permission of the Dean or Associate Dean, transfer from the Master of Science to the Doctor of Philosophy degree, while in the combined degree course.
(3)
A candidate in the combined degree course may abandon the Doctor of Clinical Psychology degree and continue in either the Master of Science or the Doctor of Philosophy degree.
(4)
A student who has completed either the Master of Science or the Doctor of Philosophy after abandoning the combined degree course may, with the approval of the Dean or Associate Dean, be readmitted to Doctor of Clinical Psychology candidature.
(5)
Any readmission to candidature under sub-clause (3) or (4) must, except with the permission of the Dean, occur within 18 semesters of first enrolment in the DCP/MSc course and within 10 semesters of withdrawal from DCP/MSc candidature, to match accreditation standards.
8 Credit for previous study
(1)
Credit transfer for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology component is subject to the provisions of the Coursework Rule and the Resolutions of the Faculty of Science, except that:
(b)
the coursework should have been completed no more than three years prior to first enrolment in this course and not have been counted towards another award.
(2)
Credit transfer for the Master of Science component is subject to the provisions of the course resolutions relating to the degree of Master of Science and the HDR Rule.
9 Time limits
0.
Except with the permission of the Dean or Associate Dean, a candidate will complete the requirements for the Doctor of Clinical Psychology/Master of Science degrees in the combined degree course:
10 Transitional provisions
(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2012 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2012 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2012 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2018. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.
Unit of study table
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
First Year |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| PSYC6065 Psychological Assessment |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PSYC6051 Adult Psychological Disorders |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PSYC6049 Child Psychological Disorders |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PSYC6069 Ethics and Professional Practice |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Semester 2 |
|||
| PSYC6055 Advanced Adult Psychological Disorders |
6 | P PSYC6051 |
Semester 2 |
| PSYC6032 Health Psychology |
6 | P PSYC6051 |
Semester 2 |
| PSYC6067 Clinical Internship 1 |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| PSYC6072 Case and Research Seminars 1 |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Second Year |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| PSYC6068 Clinical Internship 2 |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PSYC6070 Neuropsychology and Disability |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PSYC6073 Case and Research Seminars 2 |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PSYC6071 Research Project |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
Semester 2 |
|||
| PSYC6056 Advanced Seminars |
6 | P PSYC6051 |
Semester 2 |
| PSYC6074 Advanced Models of Therapy |
6 | P PSYC6051 |
Semester 2 |
| PSYC6066 Clinical Internship and Case Seminars 3 |
Semester 2 |
||
Third Year |
|||
Semester 1 |
|||
| PSYC6061 Clinical Internship and Case Seminars 4 |
Semester 1 |
||
Semester 2 |
|||
| PSYC6058 Clinical Internship and Case Seminars 5 |
Semester 2 |
||
Unit of study descriptions 2013
PSYC6032 Health Psychology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Catalina Lawsin Session: Semester 2 Classes: 13 three-hour lectures Prerequisites: PSYC6051 Assessment: Health Intervention Review paper (100%). Further information will be provided at the first lecture.
Health Psychology is the aggregate of the specific educational, scientific, and professional contributions of the discipline of psychology applied to the promotion and maintenance of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, and the identification of etiologic and diagnostic correlates of health, illness, and related dysfunction (Matarazzo, 1980).
This course aims to understand the relationships between psychological and physical functioning across a range of medical disorders and the way in which cognitive and behavioural factors influence psychological and physical functioning of those with health related problems. The course will be concerned with theories and interventions that promote health related behaviours and improve quality of life for people with medical problems. The course will aim to investigate theories and practice in the areas of adjustment to illness, adherence to medical treatments, working with patients with chronic illness, facilitating doctor-patient communication and dealing with death and dying. In addition, the psychological issues relevant to particular illnesses will be discussed.
This course aims to understand the relationships between psychological and physical functioning across a range of medical disorders and the way in which cognitive and behavioural factors influence psychological and physical functioning of those with health related problems. The course will be concerned with theories and interventions that promote health related behaviours and improve quality of life for people with medical problems. The course will aim to investigate theories and practice in the areas of adjustment to illness, adherence to medical treatments, working with patients with chronic illness, facilitating doctor-patient communication and dealing with death and dying. In addition, the psychological issues relevant to particular illnesses will be discussed.
PSYC6049 Child Psychological Disorders
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr David Hawes Session: Semester 1 Classes: 12 three-hour lectures Assessment: Clinical role-play (including videotaped interview and written self-critique) (100%)
This course introduces current perspectives on child and adolescent psychopathology, examining the historical development and current status of theory and practice. Core theories are presented within a developmental-ecological framework and examined in relation to the etiology and course of common internalising and externalising disorders. Skills training addresses basic family consultation as well as multi-method forms of assessment (e.g., interviewing, observation, self-report) and intervention (e.g., parent skills training, individual and group child therapy). Attention is also given to essential aspects of professional practice related to school and community contexts, ethics, and the scientist-practitioner model.
PSYC6051 Adult Psychological Disorders
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Maree Abbott Session: Semester 1 Classes: 15 four-hour lectures/practicals Assessment: Written examination; Clinical viva (100%)
This course is designed to introduce students to therapeutic work with common psychological problems of adulthood through a series of lectures and practical skills-based sessions. Micro-counselling and cognitive-behavioural interviewing skills are reviewed and practiced. Diagnostic assessment, mental status examination and cognitive behavioural case formulation are taught with a view to developing individual treatment plans. Skills training in cognitive behavioural strategies are combined with theoretical knowledge about different disorders to form strong theory-practice links. Emphasis is placed upon the learning of strong practical skills in the application of evidence-based therapies to the common psychological disorders encountered in adulthood, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders and eating disorders.
PSYC6055 Advanced Adult Psychological Disorders
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Maree Abbott Session: Semester 2 Classes: 8 three to six-hour lectures, discussion, clinical observation. Prerequisites: PSYC6051 Assessment: Assignment (3 Qs: 250-300 words each); Mental Health Review Tribunal Report (500 words) (100%)
The advanced adult therapy component will cover major mental health problems such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anorexia nervosa, posttraumatic stress and drug and alcohol problems and disorders of impulse control. It will also include a workshop on working with older adults and cover issues that relate to the Mental Health Review Tribunal process. Students will gain exposure to the Mental Health Review Tribunal process via direct observation as part of this unit.
PSYC6056 Advanced Seminars
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Caroline Hunt Session: Semester 2 Classes: 7 three-hour seminars, 2 five to six-hour seminars Prerequisites: PSYC6051 Assessment: Written assessment for complex cases OR In class presentation for Neuropsychology (100%)
This course is designed to provide students with advanced level training in the clinical and professional practice of clinical psychology. The advanced level seminars will include seminars on difficult to treat or complex cases (eating disorders; anxiety and depressive disorders), advanced neuropsychology, clinical supervision, working in private practice, child protection, and may include seminars by visiting clinical academics.
PSYC6058 Clinical Internship and Case Seminars 5
Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Caroline Hunt and Dr Judy Hyde Session: Semester 2 Classes: Case and Research seminars: 13 two-hour seminars; Placement: 2 days/week for 24 weeks. Assessment: Case and Research Seminars: attendance, case report, research presentation; Placement: contract, mid-placement review, end of placement review, log, trainee's evaluation (100%)
This course provides students with a range of therapy and assessment experiences in accordance with their clinical and research interests. The specific nature of learning outcomes will depend upon the setting for the placement, the client group and the nature of the clinical work. Students will also attend case and research seminars, where students present their research findings and complex clinical cases for discussion which pose either diagnostic dilemmas or difficulties in treatment.
PSYC6061 Clinical Internship and Case Seminars 4
Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Caroline Hunt and Dr Judy Hyde Session: Semester 1 Classes: Case and research seminars: 13 two-hour seminars; Placement: 2 days/week for 24 weeks. Assessment: Case and research seminars: attendance, case presentation, case report, literature review; Placement: contract, mid-placement review, end of placement review, log, trainee's evaluation (100%)
This course provides students with a range of therapy and assessment experiences in accordance with their clinical and research interests. The specific nature of learning outcomes will depend upon the setting for the placement, the client group and the nature of the clinical work. Students will also attend case and research seminars where students present their research findings and complex clinical cases for discussion which pose either diagnostic dilemmas or difficulties in treatment.
PSYC6065 Psychological Assessment
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Suncica Sunny Lah and Dr David Horry Session: Semester 1 Classes: 13 three- or four-hour lectures Assessment: WAIS-IV Pass out; Adult Report Writing assignment; WISC-IV Pass out; Child Case assignment (100%)
This course introduces students to the basic theory and the general practice of neuropsychological assessment in children and adults. It will foster clinical approach that relies on integration of information obtained from a clinical history with results obtained on testing. It will develop conceptual framework for understanding of core developmental disorders and assessment of these disorders. The course will focus on the following components of cognition: intelligence, memory, attention, executive abilities and achievement. Students will be taught how to administer, score and interpret a variety of tests in these areas and how to report the results in written form.
PSYC6066 Clinical Internship and Case Seminars 3
Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Caroline Hunt and Dr Judy Hyde Session: Semester 2 Classes: Case and Research Seminars: 13 two-hour seminars; Placement: 2 days/week for 24 weeks Assessment: Case and research seminars: attendance, case presentation, case report; Placement: contract, mid-placement review, end of placement review, log, trainee's evaluation (100%)
This course provides students with a range of therapy and assessment experiences in accordance with their clinical and research interests. The specific nature of learning outcomes will depend on the setting for the placement, the client group and the nature of the clinical work. Students will also attend case and research seminars, where students present their research findings and complex clinical cases for discussion that pose either diagnostic dilemmas or difficulties in treatment.
PSYC6067 Clinical Internship 1
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Caroline Hunt and Dr Judy Hyde Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1.5-2-days/week for 24 weeks Assessment: Contract; Mid-placement review; End of placement review; Log; trainee's evaluation (100%)
This unit is designed to provide trainees with intensely supervised practice in conducting the fundamentals of clinical assessment, formulation, treatment planning and treatment implementation for adult patients. A cognitive-behavioural approach is predominant in this placement, although supervisors may allow variation for particular cases. It will also provide an introduction to the practice of conducting psychometric assessments. An adult psychometric assessment case will be undertaken in Internship 1 under the intense supervision of a clinical neuropsychologist. Four further cases will be required to be undertaken over internships 1 and 2; one of these will be undertaken in the Child Memory Clinic or with child cases under the intense supervision of a clinical neuropsychologist and three further adult/child/adolescent cases will be undertaken under the less intense supervision of a clinical psychologist. Trainees will be allocated to psychometric cases as required and as they become available. All trainees will also have the equivalent of one semester of child, adolescent and family therapy under the supervision of clinical psychologists with expertise in this area. This is offered for trainees either in Internship 1 or Internship 2. All trainees are expected to run a group at some point in Internship 1 or Internship 2 subject to availability. Trainees will be allocated to supervisors for adult and child, adolescent and family therapy. Some supervisors will conduct supervision in both areas. Trainees may also be assigned to supervisors to conduct group programs for adults, children or adolescents. While supervisors vary in the way they offer supervision, with a mixture of individual, group and observation formats being offered, supervision is intense and with a high level of observation by supervisors throughout this internship.
PSYC6068 Clinical Internship 2
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Associate Professor Caroline Hunt and Dr Judy Hyde Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1.5-2 days/ week for 24 weeks Assessment: Contract; Mid-placement review; End of placement review; Log; trainee's evaluation (100%)
This unit of study is designed to extend clinical assessment formulation, treatment planning, and treatment implementation skills and knowledge for adult patients. It also extends trainees' knowledge and experience conducting and interpreting psychometric assessments. Trainees will be allocated to new supervisors for this internship and supervision methods will become less intense, more individual and begin to reflect formats available in external placements. Those trainees who have not undertaken child, adolescent and family therapy or conducted group therapy will be offered these formats in this Placement.
PSYC6069 Ethics and Professional Practice
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Stephen Touyz Session: Semester 1 Classes: 10 four-hour seminars; 5 two-hour clinical observations; 13 two-hour case and research seminars. Assessment: Child protection assessment; ethics clinical viva; weekly clinical log; attendance at weekly case and research seminars; research preferences form; preliminary research proposal (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study.
This course will introduce students to the highest standards of ethical and clinical practice in clinical psychology. The course will strengthen theory-practice links by exposing students to a range of mental health presentations and ethical and professional practice issues that present in the Psychology Clinic. Students will also attend weekly case and research seminars with cases and research presented by students in senior years.
A. Ethics and Professional Practice
This component will familiarise students with relevant codes of conduct, ethical issues, and legislation pertaining to contemporary practice in clinical psychology. These wide ranging seminars will cover Psychology Board of Australia, Guardianship Tribunal and College of Clinical Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society.
B. Clinical Observation
This component is designed to introduce students to the work of clinical psychology strengthening theory-practice links, by exposing students to a range of mental health presentations seen in the Psychology Clinic. Specific issues relevant to ethical and professional clinical practice will also be covered, including writing case notes, and dealing with difficult issues in both the therapeutic and supervisory relationship. This work may be supplemented by viewing of the clinical work of experts in the field of Clinical Psychology. Students will be required to submit a weekly clinical log with the de-identified details of patients, their presenting problem and their treatment, as observed. The course coordinator must sign logs prior to their submission.
C. Case and Research Seminars
Attendance at the case seminars introduces students to history taking, conducting a mental status examination, formulation, diagnosis and treatment. These clinical case conferences will allow students to recognise a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses, the interrelationships between medical illness and psychiatric/psychological symptomatology as well as working within a multidisciplinary framework. Students are required to attend the research seminars and are expected to attend the School Colloquium. During this semester, students will commence the process of exploring potential research areas and negotiating supervision arrangements with academic staff. The Director of Clinical Research, using information collected from the Research Preferences form and Preliminary Research Proposal form, will guide this process as outlined in the Research section of the DCP/MSc Course Handbook.
A. Ethics and Professional Practice
This component will familiarise students with relevant codes of conduct, ethical issues, and legislation pertaining to contemporary practice in clinical psychology. These wide ranging seminars will cover Psychology Board of Australia, Guardianship Tribunal and College of Clinical Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society.
B. Clinical Observation
This component is designed to introduce students to the work of clinical psychology strengthening theory-practice links, by exposing students to a range of mental health presentations seen in the Psychology Clinic. Specific issues relevant to ethical and professional clinical practice will also be covered, including writing case notes, and dealing with difficult issues in both the therapeutic and supervisory relationship. This work may be supplemented by viewing of the clinical work of experts in the field of Clinical Psychology. Students will be required to submit a weekly clinical log with the de-identified details of patients, their presenting problem and their treatment, as observed. The course coordinator must sign logs prior to their submission.
C. Case and Research Seminars
Attendance at the case seminars introduces students to history taking, conducting a mental status examination, formulation, diagnosis and treatment. These clinical case conferences will allow students to recognise a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses, the interrelationships between medical illness and psychiatric/psychological symptomatology as well as working within a multidisciplinary framework. Students are required to attend the research seminars and are expected to attend the School Colloquium. During this semester, students will commence the process of exploring potential research areas and negotiating supervision arrangements with academic staff. The Director of Clinical Research, using information collected from the Research Preferences form and Preliminary Research Proposal form, will guide this process as outlined in the Research section of the DCP/MSc Course Handbook.
PSYC6070 Neuropsychology and Disability
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Suncica Sunny Lah Session: Semester 1 Classes: 12 three-hour lectures Assessment: Two short essays/case analyses (100%)
This unit of study is concerned with neuropsychological and pervasive developmental disorders, and related forms of disability across the lifespan. Students will be introduced to the neuro-cognitive and behavioural correlates of a range of neurological, developmental, and medical conditions (including traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, autism, dementia, etc.) in children and adults. The course aims to develop students' understanding of functional brain organisation, recovery of function and rehabilitation, and principles of early intervention in these areas. In addition, attention will be given to evidence-based methods for assessing and intervening in cognitive, behavioural, and
emotional problems commonly encountered in these populations. Lectures will include theoretical components, case presentations and discussions.
emotional problems commonly encountered in these populations. Lectures will include theoretical components, case presentations and discussions.
PSYC6071 Research Project
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Louise Sharpe Session: Semester 1 Classes: Research and conferral with supervisor as appropriate Assessment: Systematic review; Research presentation; Ethics proposal (100%)
This unit of study requires students to undertake significant work on their research project and aims for students to be in a position to start collecting data for their projects during this semester or at the latest by the beginning of semester 2. During this semester it is expected that students will submit relevant applications for research ethics, so that they are in a position to commence data collection in this semester, no later than the middle of their second year. Evidence of submission of an ethics proposal must be completed in order to pass this unit of study. Students will also present a formal research proposal presentation, where they will receive formal feedback from the Director of Clinical Research, as part of requirements for PSYC6073 Case and Research Seminars 2. In addition, students must complete a systematic review relevant to their research. This topic of the review can be chosen in consultation with the supervisor and will be formally assessed by the Associate Supervisor of the Research Project. It is expected that supervisors will collaborate with students in choosing the topic, agreeing on relevant papers for the review and providing feedback on the first draft of the review prior to submission.
Conducting a systematic review is an extremely time-consuming task. It involves many steps, including choosing the research question, identifying relevant papers, extracting key information from those papers and summarizing the findings. Therefore, students should start working towards this review early in the year or will find the task very difficult to complete within the time frame.
The systematic review will be examined by the associate supervisor. The supervisor and student should negotiate with the associate supervisor about eventual authorship issues prior to commencing the systematic review. The associate supervisor should not be involved in the writing of the draft, but if the associate supervisor is to be an author it is expected that they would review the draft using track changes and make a significant contribution to the review sufficient to justify authorship.
Conducting a systematic review is an extremely time-consuming task. It involves many steps, including choosing the research question, identifying relevant papers, extracting key information from those papers and summarizing the findings. Therefore, students should start working towards this review early in the year or will find the task very difficult to complete within the time frame.
The systematic review will be examined by the associate supervisor. The supervisor and student should negotiate with the associate supervisor about eventual authorship issues prior to commencing the systematic review. The associate supervisor should not be involved in the writing of the draft, but if the associate supervisor is to be an author it is expected that they would review the draft using track changes and make a significant contribution to the review sufficient to justify authorship.
PSYC6072 Case and Research Seminars 1
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Stephen Touyz Session: Semester 2 Classes: 13 two-hour case and research seminars Assessment: Research proposal; Attendance at case and research seminars; Attendance at the School of Psychology Colloquium; Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study (100%)
This unit of study will continue the case and research seminars introduced in PSYC6069 Ethics and Professional Practice. The unit of study will comprise attendance at formal weekly presentations, where Year 2 students will present a clinical case for discussion and Year 3 students will present their research findings. All students are required to attend throughout the semester, and are expected to attend the School Colloquium. It is expected that students will spend one day per week during this semester researching their chosen topic. Students are expected to be meeting with their supervisors during this semester to finalise aspects of their study design and methodology. If the research involves the recruitment of clinical samples off-site, students should expect to meet with their key individuals who will be involved with their research off-campus to negotiate the details of their project, the recruitment of subjects and to ensure its feasibility. Students are required to submit a formal written research proposal, which will form the basis of the research proposal presentation in the following semester.
PSYC6073 Case and Research Seminars 2
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Professor Stephen Touyz Session: Semester 1 Classes: 13 two-hour case and research seminars Assessment: Research presentation; Case report; Attendance at case and research seminars; Attendance at the School of Psychology Colloquium; Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on both assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study (100%)
This unit of study will continue the case and research seminars introduced in PSYC6072 Case and Research Seminars 1. The unit of study will comprise attendance at formal weekly presentations, where Year 2 students will present a clinical case for discussion and Year 3 students will present their research findings. All students are required to attend throughout the semester and are expected to attend the School Colloquium. Students are to prepare a written case report.
PSYC6074 Advanced Models of Therapy
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Paul Rhodes Session: Semester 2 Classes: 12 six-hour seminars Prerequisites: PSYC6051 Assessment: Family therapy assignment; Schema therapy assignment; Attachment-based psychotherapy assignment; Integrated Approaches to Psychotherapy class participation; Dialectical Behaviour Therapy role play assignment; Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study (100%)
This course is designed to provide students with advanced level training in psychotherapeutic approaches. For example, this course will deal with responses to complex human problems, including family problems and personality disorders, from a wider variety of clinical orientations. It focuses on a range of advanced models of therapy, including family therapy, dialectic behavior therapy, schema therapy and integrated approaches to psychotherapy, and will include from time to time, seminars by visiting clinical academics or practitioners with expertise in specific therapeutic approaches. Please note that DBT and Attachment-Based Psychotherapy are optional; you can attend both lectures if you wish but are expected to only attend and complete the assignment for one.