Course Information

Master of Professional Psychology

Effective from 01-JAN-2023 : Code I88

This postgraduate course provides education and training in applied professional psychology to prepare graduates for an internship to achieve registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. The course is based in the scientist-practitioner model and provides experiential learning of evidence-based psychological practice skills through coursework and a practicum.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Practicum Requirement

Students will complete a minimum of 300 hours of skills training and supervised practice during the course. This includes a minimum of 280 hours of practicum experience under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist.

Duty of care

All students will be required to undertake a National Police Clearance. Students may be required to undertake other clearances and screenings specific to individual organisations. Students whose practicum involves contact with young people under the age of 18 will be required to obtain a Working with Children clearance. A placement host may have vaccination and other requirements, including vaccination against Covid-19 unless you have a medical exemption. Please consider this requirement before enrolling in this Course, and speak with the Course coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete placement units if you are unable to meet the placement requirements, which may impact your ability to complete this course. Additionally, OSH agreements, insurance policies, and risk assessments are required for all placements.

Attendance requirements

Students will be required to attend practicum on specified days as negotiated with their practicum supervisor.

Professional practice rules

All students are required to abide by the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics, the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 and all relevant State and National legislation whilst on practicum

Implications of failing

Students who fail the practicum will be required to re-enrol in the unit the following year. All registered psychologists are bound by the Psychology Board of Australia requirements for mandatory reporting and failure of a placement might involve circumstances that are required to be reported to AHPRA.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Reflect critically on and apply a complex body of psychological knowledge, theories, principles and methods to evidence-based and client-centred psychological practice.
  2. Investigate, analyse, and synthesise complex information and problems in a range of professional contexts.
  3. Apply professional knowledge and technical skills to design, implement, and evaluate psychological strategies with individuals and groups across the lifespan.
  4. Communicate and collaborate in an ethical and culturally responsive manner in professional practice with clients, other professionals, and other stakeholders.
  5. Apply high level self-management and reflective skills to monitor professional functioning and plan and implement strategies for ongoing development as a professional.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Accredited by: Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Registration

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Psychology Board of Australia. Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia is required to practice in the profession.

Membership

Students can apply for membership with Psychology Board of Australia. All students must apply for Provisional Registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia on enrolment in the course and maintain this registration status for the entire duration of the course.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 6)

  • Bachelor degree; or
  • Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 5)

International students are required to provide an IELTS Academic with an overall minimum score of 7.0 (no individual band less than 6.5).  Internationally schooled applicants may also be required to meet this requirement.

Minimum English standard requirements for this course may also be satisfied with one of the following:

  • Bachelor degree from an approved country;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
  • Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to be eligible for, and successfully gain and maintain, Provisional Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, must have completed an APAC- accredited 4th year qualification in psychology, including an independent research-based project. Applicants with qualifications obtained overseas must provide evidence that their psychology qualification has been assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) as equivalent to an APAC-accredited Level 2 qualification in psychology. Applicants must provide a personal statement describing their motivations and personal suitability for the course. Additionally, applicants must submit a curriculum vitae showing details of relevant employment and volunteer experience. Two referee reports must be submitted by the referees via the HODSPA Online Referee System. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) Award.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 1 Year

Course Delivery

  • Joondalup: Full Time
  • Mount Lawley: Full Time

Cross Campus Attendance

Classes are primarily held on the Joondalup campus. It may be necessary to hold some classes on the Mount Lawley campus subject to room availability.

Course Coordinator

Dr Vance LOCKE

Course Structure

Year 1 - Trimester 1
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PSY6501Foundational Professional Psychology Skills20
PSY6502Ethics and Professional Psychology Practice20
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PSY6503Psychological Practice with Adults15
PSY6504Psychological Practice with Children and Adolescents15
Year 1 - Trimester 3
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PSY6505Professional Psychology Practicum30
PSY6506The Scientist Practitioner in Professional Psychology20

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

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