Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

Course 527CL (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Year and Campus: 2010 - Parkville
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Duration & Credit Points: 200 credit points taken over 24 months full time. This course is available as full or part time.

Coordinator

Dr Carol Hulbert

Contact

Mr Wayne Murdoch

Professional Programmes Coordinator

School of Psychological Science

wpm@unimelb.edu.au

Course Overview:

The clinical psychology program at the University of Melbourne began in the early 1970s. The program enjoys an excellent reputation and is one of the premier clinical psychology programs in the country. The program aims to produce students with a strong knowledge base in 'organic' and 'functional' psychopathologies, combined with a high level of skill and acumen in the detection, assessment and diagnosis and treatment of various 'psychological' conditions. Therapeutic skills are taught primarily within a broad cognitive-behavioural framework and developed over time within didactic, individual and group-based contexts. In their second year, all students see patients referred to the Psychology Clinic based at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. In addition to this, all students undergo compulsory field placements in psychiatry in their first year in the program. Field placements in second and third year are tailored to a student's interests. Access to a variety of placement opportunities within hospital and community settings is considered to be one of the strengths of the program.

The academic members of the clinical teaching staff are active in both clinical work and research. Students are expected to conduct both high quality research and submit articles based on their research for publication in peer-refereed national and international journals. The expectation is that graduates of the clinical psychology program will not only become excellent clinicians but will go on to be leaders in the professional clinical psychology community.

Objectives:

This stream aims to provide graduates with the skills to work as professional clinical psychologists as well as a thorough grounding in the discipline of clinical psychology, particularly in the area of mental illness.

Course Structure & Available Subjects:

This course consists of coursework, placement and a minor research thesis (equivalent to 10,000 words).

Coursework consists of 14 classroom-based subjects taken over the two years of the course (see below) and 115 days of Placement (20 days in the first-year and 95 days in the second-year).

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

Master of Psychology (Clinical)

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Not offered in 2010
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 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 Clinical programme aims to produce graduates with a strong knowledge base in "organic" and "functional" psychopathologies, combined with a high level of skills and acumen in the detection, assessment and diagnosis and treatment of various "psychological" conditions.

The expectation is that graduates of the clinical psychology programme will not only become excellent clinicians but will go on to be leaders in the professional clinical psychology community.

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/pt.html

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