Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)/Doctor of Philosophy

Course 080CN (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Year and Campus: 2016 - Parkville
CRICOS Code: 037232A
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level: Research Higher Degree
Duration & Credit Points: Students are expected to complete this research in 4.00 years full time, or equivalent part time.

Coordinator

Professor Michael Saling

Contact

enquiry-psych@unimelb.edu.au

Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences

Currently enrolled students:

  • General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
  • Email: enquiries-STEM@unimelb.edu.au

Future students:

Course Overview:

There is no mid year entry available for this course.

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 seven 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. The majority are actively involved in the practice of clinical neuropsychology (including supervision of clinical trainees) in a teaching hospital. Collectively, the staff cover the Royal Children's Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital, 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 competant 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 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.

Learning Outcomes:

The objective of this stream is to provide graduates with the skills to work as professional neuropsychologists. Graduates will 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. The combined degree program aims to provide students with the skills to work as a professional psychologist and to undertake a substantial piece of original research.

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).

PhD: A range of University policies and procedures apply to students enrolled in Higher Degrees by Research.

Subject Options:

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

First-year subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:

Second-year subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2016
RHD First Half Year, RHD Second Half Year

Third-year subjects:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2016
RHD First Half Year, RHD Second Half Year

Fourth-year subjects

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2016
RHD First Half Year, RHD Second Half Year
Entry Requirements:

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• an Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year undergraduate sequence in Psychology, namely a three-year major in Psychology as part of an undergraduate degree plus a fourth-year Honours specialisation in Psychology, with a weighted average mark of at least H2A (75%), or equivalent; and
• an interview; and
• a personal statement; and
• nomination of three referees.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• suitability for clinical training as determined by the interview, personal statement and referee reports.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.

• Selection into the two Master of Psychology courses associated with a PhD place in Psychology requires the approval of the intended PhD supervisor, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, and the Melbourne School of Graduate Research.
• Direct entry into the combined Masters/PhD programmes is available to international applicants only.
• Local applicants must enrol in the Masters programme (Clinical or Clinical Neuropsychology) and then apply to articulate to the combined PhD programme towards the end of their first year in the Masters programme.

Core Participation Requirements:

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 will impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit

PhD

All candidates are required to complete the equivalent of at least six months full-time (12 months part-time) advanced study and research at the University unless studying at an outside institution approved by the Research Higher Degrees Committee (RHDC). The RHDC will not approve entirely distance supervision or entirely on-line supervision for research higher degree students.

Throughout their candidature candidates are expected to attend the University in order to benefit from planning, conducting and writing up their research within a University community and environment.

The residency requirement is deemed especially important during the first six months of candidature. During this time the student is expected to interact on a regular basis with the supervisor, the department (including staff and other research students) and the University, so as:

  • to build the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out the proposed research program
  • to acquire an understanding of the standards and requirements for a research higher degree awarded by the University
  • to make use of support programs and facilities provided by the University throughout candidature.

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 sophisticated level is the ultiamate 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 Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Generic Skills:
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management and planning
  • Written and spoken communication skills
  • Analysis and critical thinking
Links to further information: http://www.psych.unimelb.edu.au/courses/postgraduate/combined.html

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