Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)

Course 527-CN (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus: 2009
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate

Coordinator

Associate Professor Michael Saling

Contact

Mr Wayne Murdoch

wpm@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview:

The clinical neuropsychology program aims to provide students with the skills to work as a neuropsychologist. Since its inception in the 1970s, the clinical neuropsychology program has emphasised 'hands on' clinical training in the hospital setting. The breadth of this training experience has steadily increased over the years, and students are placed in a wide variety of settings that cover acute care neurology and neurosurgery, psychiatry, geriatrics, rehabilitation, and paediatrics. The placement experience enjoyed by our students is one of the most extensive in the world.

The neuropsychological teaching staff is made up of six members at the level of Lecturer, Associate Professor or Professor, and a Placement Co-Ordinator. All are full members of the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists. Each member is actively involved in the practice of clinical neuropsychology (including supervision of clinical trainees) in a teaching hospital. Collectively, the staff cover the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Royal Children's Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital, and the Austin, Heidelberg Repatriation, and Royal Talbot Hospitals (Austin Health), and are therefore well positioned to bring to the teaching situation a high level of clinical and research expertise.

The program in clinical neuropsychology aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for competent practice in a variety of settings, and in relation to a variety of diagnostic problems and management issues. The acquisition of professional skills at a reasonably sophisticated level is the ultimate goal of the program. There is a strong emphasis on the need for world-class clinical research, with a significant number of students producing peer-reviewed publications.

Objectives:

The objective of this stream is to provide graduates with the skills to work as professional neuropsychologists. Graduates should obtain a detailed understanding of the affective, behavioural and cognitive manifestations of diseases of the central nervous system, particularly those affecting the brain, in adults and children. Graduates are expected to acquire competence in various approaches to the study of brain disease, including basic and applied clinical sciences, and are expected to acquire an understanding of objective assessment of the many behavioural features of brain diseases.

Subject Options: In order to satisfy the requirements of the Master of Psychology (Clnincal Neuropsychology), students must complete the following subjects:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Year Long
25.000
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.750
Semester 1
6.250
Entry Requirements: Eligible applicants for the professional training programs must normally possess a degree including an accredited four-year sequence in psychology (or its equivalent) of at least H2A (or Distinction) standard in the fourth year of study. Admission also depends on supervision and resource availability.

Selection is based primarily on the student's academic performance in their fourth-year of study in psychology, with some consideration given to third year performance. The personal suitability of each student as assessed by referees' reports and interview is also taken into account.

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Graduate Attributes: None

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