Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/Doctor of Philosophy

Course 080CN (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Year and Campus: 2010 - Parkville
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Research Higher Degree
Duration & Credit Points: Students are expected to complete this research in 3.00 years full time, or equivalent part time.

Coordinator

Associate Professor Michael Saling

Contact

Mr Wayne Murdoch
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.

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.

Course Structure & Available Subjects:

This course consists of the coursework and placement components of the Master of Psychology (Neuropsychology) together with a full PhD research thesis in Psychology.

Coursework consists of 13 classroom-based subjects taken over the first three years of this four-year course (see below) and 115 days of Placement (20 days in the first-year and 95 days spread over second and third-years).

Subject Options: In order to satisfy the requirements of the combine Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/PhD, students must complete the following subjects:

Master of Psychology/PhD

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
RHD First Half Year, RHD Second Half Year
Entry Requirements:

Completion of an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year undergraduate sequence in Psychology, namely a three-year major in Psychology as part of an undergraduage degree plus a fourth-year Honours specialisation in Psychology.

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements, Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Graduate Attributes: 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.
Professional Accreditation: Accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council and recognised by the Victorian Psychologists' Registration Board.
Generic Skills:
  • Written and spoken communication skills
  • Analytic skills
Links to further information: http://www.psych.unimelb.edu.au/courses/postgraduate/combined.html

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