Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)

2017 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2017 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2017 course information
Award granted	Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from 2017. If you require a course map from a previous year, please contact a Student Adviser.
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Cloud Campus	No
Duration	4 years full-time
CRICOS course code	022556D Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course code	H951
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Quality Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 10.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Interrelated steams of theory, research and practice provide the skills needed to become a registered psychologist.

Our award winning teaching strategies and learning resources, include simulation and competency-based assessment approaches.

The course is based on the scientist/practitioner model that rests firmly on a foundation of established knowledge and current evidence-based research.

Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) covers clinical psychology across the lifespan and also includes a focus on the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents and families.

You will have opportunities to develop clinical skills in our unique clinics imbedded in public mental health and through placements in an array of community agencies.

You will undertake a program of independent supervised research that makes a significant and original contribution to the knowledge and practice of clinical psychology.

Indicative student workload

A fulltime student is expected to commit 36 hours a week to their PhD program. A student is entitled to 20 working days annual leave from candidature on approval by their Principal Supervisor. (Part-time is half the commitment.)

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and recognised by Psychology Board of Australia, the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and its College of Clinical Psychologists. On completion of the course you may apply to the Psychology Board of Australia for registration as a psychologist and to the APS for full membership. To obtain membership of the Clinical College of the APS and endorsement by the Psychology Board of Australia as a clinical psychologist, students are required to complete one year of approved supervised practice and fulfil professional development requirements.

Note: This course is currently accredited at the date of publishing. The eligibility of students for registration by the Psychology Board of Australia, and for membership of the APS and its Clinical College is subject to meeting the requirements of the regulatory body and the professional association. Deakin University makes no representation that students will meet those requirements.

Placement program

Each individual student’s placement program will be worked out jointly by you, the placement coordinator, and the practitioners supervising the placements. The placements are designed to equip you with a range of professional skills and develop your awareness of professional issues. You will have placements in different settings, and will work with different populations, including adults and children. Contracts will be drawn up that specify goals, your responsibilities and the responsibilities of the placement supervisor. Placement supervisors are registered and endorsed psychologists, with expertise in supervision. Each placement requires the completion of the full component of days. Failure of any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.

Thesis

The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) is a research degree, and requires students to complete a thesis equivalent in conceptual complexity to the traditional research PhD, but of somewhat lesser size and scope. The thesis consists of two components: 1) a Major Investigative Project, involving a report on an empirical study or series of studies on a topic of relevance to clinical psychology and that can be undertaken by publication or in traditional form; and 2) a separate Portfolio of Case Reports that are written up in relation to a particular theme and in the context of a critical appraisal of relevant literature. Each student will work with a supervisory team to complete their thesis.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities	Display an advanced and integrated knowledge of psychopathology and the theoretical principles underlying the practice of clinical psychology, with respect to evidence-based practice of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention across the lifespan and with a focus on children and families.
Communication	Compose clearly written case reports; demonstrate effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills using appropriate language to communicate with specialists and non-specialists such as other health professionals, clients and carers within a range of professional settings.
Digital Literacy	Expert use of appropriate technologies to collect relevant discipline-specific information; assemble, evaluate, justify and integrate this information to formulate appropriate hypotheses, assessment and treatment approaches and disseminate this information to clients and health professionals.
Critical thinking	Competence in the design and conduct of research; and critically evaluate, synthesise and integrate complex scientific evidence, transform this information into case formulations, assessment, interventions and policy that demonstrate evidence-based professional practice in the field of clinical psychology.
Problem Solving	Expert skills to critically analyse theoretical frameworks and adapt knowledge and skills from psychological, biological and medical fields to design multiple, creative assessment and treatment approaches tailored to meet the needs of diverse client presentations.
Self-management	Demonstrate ethical and professional practice, showing personal autonomy, accountability, good judgment and reflective practice in all areas of psychological and professional work and scholarship.
Teamwork	Develop, maintain and manage professional, ethical and collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary team members and stakeholders to work effectively together in the best interest of the client and the profession.
Global Citizenship	Demonstrate, report and apply ethical, legal and professional principles to work productively as a clinical psychologist within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts by collaborating and communicating in a self-reflective and culturally sensitive manner.

Course rules

To complete the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) students must attain 24 credit points covering three strands: theory, research and practice.

This is a full time course, designed for completion within 4 years. It is comprised of three inter-related strands of theory, research, and practice.

The coursework units are in the first and second trimesters, with placement and thesis components undertaken throughout the entire year (Trimesters 1, 2 and 3). In the later part of the third year and into the fourth year, students will focus on completion of their thesis. Some students will be ready to submit their thesis early.

The course formally commences in early February, when students are required to attend an orientation session and commence work on their thesis.

Course structure

Core units

This course structure is for students commencing in 2017 onwards. Students who commenced their course prior to 2017 should refer to previous handbook entries.