Master of Psychology (Organisational)

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Indicative student workload
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Pathways
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Work experience
• Other learning experiences
• Research and research-related study

Course overview

Be the driving force behind happier, healthier, more productive workplaces with the Master of Psychology (Organisational) – the only organisational psychology course delivered in Victoria. Gain extensive workplace experience through professional placements, and graduate ready to apply for registration as a general psychologist.

Want specialised psychology skills that are in high demand across almost every type of organisation?

Organisational psychologists have a unique opportunity to improve the lives of people, both inside and outside the workplace. With a deep understanding of human behaviour, relationships, leadership and change management, organisational psychologists have a key role to play in creating work environments that staff thrive in. The importance of organisational psychologists also extends beyond employee wellbeing. Their ability to improve individual and team performance, resolve conflicts using evidence-based principles, build team unity and create effective strategies for recruitment and retention makes them highly valued by employers.

Sound like a profession you’d love to be a part of? The Master of Psychology (Organisational) will give you the tools and training to transition into this rapidly growing field with confidence, so you can start making a positive difference from day one.

The course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and is the final stop in your study journey to becoming a registered psychologist. Upon graduation, you’ll have the skills, experience and professional recognition needed to apply to the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) for general registration. The course also provides a pathway to further training in an area of practice endorsement with the PsyBA. An endorsement demonstrates a registered psychologist’s high-level knowledge and qualifications in a specialised area, like organisational psychology, and can open the door to more advanced roles.

Draw on everything you’ve learned so far in your studies while adding layers of specialised knowledge to become an expert in the field of organisational psychology. Some of the key areas you’ll study include:

• psychological assessments in organisations
• applied methods for organisational analysis
• facilitation, training and evaluation in organisations
• change management
• occupational health and wellbeing
• leadership coaching
• intervention strategies and skills.

All study areas are informed by the latest evidence-based theory and delivered by passionate teachers who are leaders in the field. With a curriculum that’s grounded in established knowledge, emerging research and scientific rigour, you’ll graduate with a degree that’s relevant today and into the future.

The course includes placement opportunities that allow you to apply your skills in the real world, and work alongside established psychologists with a wealth of knowledge to pass down. The professional relationships you build throughout placements can be incredibly beneficial to your career. In fact, students often secure ongoing employment with their placement organisation after graduating.

Entry into the Master of Psychology (Organisational) is competitive. That’s because Deakin is ranked in the top 1% worldwide for psychology^, and leads all Victorian universities for education experience, learning resources and support services*. If you want to join a high-achieving group of students with a shared passion for exploring the human mind and helping others, the Master of Psychology (Organisational) is the course to take your career forward.

^Student Experience Survey 2017, 2018

*Compared university comparison tool compared.edu.au/compare/study-areas

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals, placements and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

The Master of Psychology (Organisational) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a general psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), as well as membership with the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

If you are seeking membership of the College of Organisational Psychologists or endorsement by the PsyBA as an organisational psychologist, further training in an approved registrar program is required. Visit psychology.org.au for more details.

Career opportunities

Upon successfully completing the course, you will become eligible to apply for registration as a general psychologist. Once you’re registered, you’ll have the qualifications and experience needed to practise in all areas of organisational psychology, from workplace counselling and human resource management to psychological assessment and consultancy.

The added benefit of general registration is that it opens up many different career options outside of organisational psychology.

The course also provides a pathway to further training in an area of practice endorsement with the PsyBA. An endorsement demonstrates a registered psychologist’s high-level knowledge and qualifications in a specialised area, such as organisational psychology, and can open the door to more advanced roles.

Of course, a rewarding and long-lasting career in psychology awaits even if you’re not interested in pursuing general registration or endorsement. Learn more about psychology pathways and career outcomes.

Participation requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 1000 hours (approximately 133 days) of professional work experience within an approved organisational setting.

Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Department of Human Services policy - Police Record Check and Working With Children Check

In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course.

In accordance with the Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, amended 2017, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.

Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.

Under the regulations of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, Master of Psychology students are required to be provisionally registered from the commencement of enrolment and for the duration of enrolment in their degree. This is a mandatory requirement. Students should apply online for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as soon as they have been accepted into the degree. Alternatively, a paper form is available on the Board’s website (see Application for provisional registration - APRO-76

Pathways

H752 is a post graduate course that has no immediate pathway to another Deakin course. Nearly 100% of graduates transition directly to full-time work. A small number of students with the research aptitude and interest enrol in the PhD program.

While not often applied for, Recognition of Prior Learning is available to applicants already possessing equivalent units from an APAC accredited Master of Psychology (Organisational) or equivalent degree, completed no more than ten years previously, and preferably within the last five years. Whether or not credit is granted will be determined by the equivalency of the content of the completed unit, as well as the equivalence of the applicant’s performance to students who enrol in the Masters program in the usual manner. Students will not be granted credit for previous research experience, including completion of a Masters level thesis or a research higher degree.

Normally such applicants will be required to complete placements and all additional units needed to make the coursework component comparable with that of a Deakin Master of Psychology (Organisational) student. All students are required to complete at least eighteen months of full-time study and a minimum of fifty per cent of the total course content, including the thesis. Applications for advanced standing can be made in writing addressed to the course chair, and including a completed Recognition of Prior Learning application form, following enrolment and preferably prior to commencement of studies.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

To complete the Master of Psychology (Organisational) students must attain 16 credit points covering three inter-related strands: theory, research and practice. All units are core (these are compulsory). The course has a strong emphasis on a practical problem-solving approach within a structure of organisational psychology units. Students will complete a minimum of 4 credit points each trimester over two years for full time study or part time equivalent.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 1000 hours (approximately 133 days) of professional work experience within an approved organisational setting.

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core units

Level 1 - Trimester 1

Level 1 - Trimester 2

Level 2 - Trimester 1

Level 2 - Trimester 2

Students are also expected to attend School Research Colloquia.

Work experience

Placement program

The placement program is designed to provide you with exposure to varying organisational problems and experiences. The placements are designed to equip you with a range of professional skills and develop an awareness of professional issues in applied settings. You will be exposed to the workings of different organisations and industries and the types of issues that arise in an organisational psychology setting. You will be involved in placements in different sectors including manufacturing, retail, finance, public service and consultancies. Contracts will be drawn up that will clearly specify the skills to be mastered, your responsibilities and the responsibilities of the placement supervisor/s. Each placement requires the full complement of days to be completed. Unsatisfactory progress in any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.

Income support

Domestic students enrolled in this postgraduate coursework program may be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and Austudy.

Further information can be found at Deakin University's Fees website.

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

Throughout the program students are invited and encouraged to participate in a range of independently provided professional accreditation activities. Students, for example, might complete workshops to gain accreditation in psychological assessment, leadership, and health and wellbeing programs.

Research and research-related study

Research comprises 25% of the program. Students are required to pass four research units in order to be eligible to complete the degree.
HPS785 Research Thesis A, undertaken in Trimester 1 of the first year full-time program, consists of a 7000 word literature review that is relevant to each student’s chosen research topic.
HPS792 Research Thesis B, undertaken in Trimester 2 of the first-year full-time program, requires students to present their research proposal to a panel of academics.
HPS793 Research Thesis C, undertaken in Trimester 1 of the second year full-time program, requires a report demonstrating successful research progress.
HPS794 Research Thesis D, undertaken in Trimester 2 of the second year full-time program, requires successful completion of a 6000 word empirical research report.