Ed Psych Practicum 4

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

100% attendance is mandatory in all practicum subjects.

This subject may be taken by 312AA Master of Educational Psychology and G02AA Master of Educational Psychology/Doctor of Philosophy students only.

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

This placement represents the final set of training experiences for the student. In conjunction with the Field Supervisor and the Practicum Placement Co-ordinator, a range of experiences are designed. These include: independent assessment and reporting services; attendance at professional meetings; experience with other agencies and interdisciplinary team work; consultation with a range of personnel; project design, implementation and development; professional development as appropriate. Students are required to conduct themselves in an autonomous professional manner; undertake a wide range of individual assessments, report appropriately and develop successful interventions based on data gained; develop projects around issues of concern; communicate and consult with a range of professions and agencies and have an appreciation of the value of team work when appropriate; utilise the combination of education and psychology to enhance practice. There are up to three lectures covering issues in ethics in practice, legal requirements of an educational psychologist, writing for legal and other practitioners.

On completion of this subject students will be able to:

• manage processes and assessment as relevant to the setting;
• demonstrate effective professional communication, such as the writing of psychological reports;
• use effective counselling skills and intervention strategies;
• utilise consultation where appropriate;
• deal with a range of complex cases;
• demonstrate a greater degree of independence in problem management;
• engage in interdisciplinary team work where available;
• operate in an ethical and professional manner.

Students are required to successfully complete the formal requirements of the placements including attendance for the required number of hours and a satisfactory rating from the supervisor. Assessment occurs on a continuous basis throughout the placement process.

A combination of measures is applied to gain an understanding of the student's progress including:

• completion of a log book including an account of a small field project which involves a consultation process directly derived from the field placement (due end of placement, 1,500 words; 30%)
• formal assessment by the field supervisor (70%)

To pass the course a minimum of a pass grade must be achieved in each assessment task.

APS Code of Ethics, Corey, G., Corey, M.S, Callanan, P. (1998), Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions, CA: Brooks Cole

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students must contact the Practicum Co-ordinator by the end of the first week of the Semester to discuss placement.