Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)

2024 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2024 course information
Award granted	Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
Deakin course code	H951
Faculty	Faculty of Health
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne)
Online	No
Duration	3.5 to 4 years full-time.
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	The course map for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2024 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS course code	022556D Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 10

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Prepare for an exceptional career with the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) at Deakin and immerse yourself in interrelated streams of theory, research and clinical practice. Gain the skills, experience and qualifications to apply for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) with a practice endorsement in Clinical Psychology upon completion of a registrar program. Transition from student to clinical psychologist within a supportive environment, gaining valuable hands-on experience within our purpose-built facilities. Our focus on experiential learning and reflective practice, paired with extensive clinical placements with industry partners in public mental health and community agencies, builds and refines your skills in helping individuals with complex mental health challenges.

Are you ready to start advanced research and clinical training?

Undertake research training within the rich research culture of one of largest schools of psychology in Australia. Based on the science-practitioner model, you will undertake an independent, clinically applied research project and conduct meaningful research, making an original contribution to clinical psychology. In addition to being a pathway to a career as a clinical psychologist, this program opens doors to careers in research, academia, research management, leadership and service evaluation for graduates wishing to contribute to evidence-based practice.

You will select a research topic within an area of clinical, health or forensic psychology for the program's thesis component. Your research will be supervised by an academic, many of whom are also clinicians. In addition to ensuring that you graduate with expertise in a particular research area, the research component of the program may create opportunities to network through conference attendance and presentations and enable you to contribute to publications.

Professional experience is an integral part of your development with clinical placements beginning in your second year. Through our key placement partnerships, you will complete four compulsory clinical placements, gaining invaluable professional experience. Develop your clinical skills through placements embedded in public mental health settings, and in various community agencies. You will focus on clinical psychology across the lifespan, with emphasis on assessing and treating children, adolescents, and families. These offer opportunities to build upon your clinical skills in assessment, case formulation and intervention with individuals and groups. Practical workshops and case analysis seminars further develop your clinical skills and reflective practice.

Our award-winning teaching strategies and innovative learning resources, including simulation and competency-based assessments, ensure that you graduate ready to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. The program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), making it a degree that is sought-after by employers across the industry.

Throughout the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), you will:

Gain a thorough understanding of professional issues, ethics and the governance framework that supports Clinical Psychology.
Build interprofessional skills by collaborating with students from other disciplines to develop shared care plans for complex simulated clients.
Prepare for culturally informed practice with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People through focused teaching and learning experiences that celebrate Indigenous Psychology and build cultural responsiveness.
Develop the skills to enhance clinical assessments with psychological testing, knowing how to select and utilise appropriate tests, understand diagnosis and report writing.
Learn about advanced clinical research methods to support completion of your research project and learn to apply various methodological approaches to support evidence-based clinical practice.
Explore the integration of biological, psychological, and social factors to assess and understand psychopathology, beginning with a critical examination of the role and function of classification systems such as the DSM.
Learn to assess various psychological disorders, through reading and engagement with virtual simulation, case scenarios, and through role play practices with the support of senior peers.
Gain practical skills in the use of psychological interventions and take advantage of the opportunity to consolidate these concepts and develop your therapy skills using virtual simulation, case-based analysis, and role play.
Receive individualised, formative feedback, scaffolding your skill development and supporting you to make informed treatment decisions.
Build your knowledge and skills in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), including the importance of the therapeutic relationship, the CBT model and session structure, and strategies such as Socratic questioning, cognitive disputation, and behavioural experiments.
Explore reflective practice and peer feedback and participate in a mindfulness-based CBT group designed to enhance self-care strategies and experiential learning.
Learn how to modify CBT approaches for use with younger populations and focus on interventions for issues such as behavioural and developmental disorders.
Acquire knowledge in other therapeutic interventions aligned with your foundational skills in CBT and learn about therapeutic techniques to encourage client engagement. You will also learn how to apply therapeutic skills with people who have experienced trauma and clinical health disorders such as pain.
Learn to employ key therapeutic techniques recommended within the structural, strategic, systemic and solution-focused schools of family therapy.
Develop the skills to write a systemic formulation, conduct a family assessment, write a family focused treatment plan, and engage a family in therapy. Challenges associated with systemic therapy such as conflict, trauma and termination of treatment will also be addressed.

Covering the above topics and more, the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) at Deakin equips you with the advanced qualifications and practical skills required to make a meaningful, lasting impact in the field of mental health.

Indicative student workload

The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) program is a full-time course and as such, it requires a full-time commitment from students.

Nevertheless, it is recognised that many students will need to work to support themselves for the duration of their study. Students are advised that working over and above 8 hours per week is likely to impact their progress through the course.

The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) program is a multi-campus program across Deakin Burwood and Deakin Waterfront. The face-to-face coursework component is predominantly held at the Burwood Campus in a purpose built clinical teaching facility. Some teaching will be held in Geelong including some full-day clinical teaching workshops while other aspects of the teaching and learning occurs online. As part of their placement program, trainees will engage in placements in key partnerships across Barwon Health and metropolitan Melbourne as well as rural and regional placement opportunities.

Professional recognition

This course has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) in accordance with the Accreditation Standards for Psychology Program (APAC, 2010). These standards are designed for accreditation of programs such as this for pathway to practice as a registered psychologist. As such, this course is approved by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) for the purposes of approving it under the National Law.

On completion of this course graduates may apply to the PsyBA for registration as a psychologist. To obtain endorsement in the Clinical area of specialisation graduates are required to complete one year of approved supervised practice and fulfil professional development requirements.

Note: This course is accredited at the date of publishing. The eligibility of students for registration by the Psychology Board of Australia, and for membership of professional bodies such as the Australian Psychological Society (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.

Students should note that the Accreditation Standards for Psychology Programs have been reviewed and updated (Accreditation Standards for Psychology Programs (2017)) and these new standards will apply to incoming students from 1 January 2019.

Career opportunities

Clinical psychologists are specialists in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological and mental health conditions that range from mild to severe and complex. They are often involved in designing and implementing a diverse range of prevention and mental health promotion programs, and may work with infants, children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Graduates typically are employed in one of the many government and non-government agencies that employ clinical psychologists in either community or hospital settings. After some years of practice and clinical supervision, some clinical psychologists establish a private practice. In addition to professional practice, clinical psychologists may be involved in research, teaching and supervision, program development and evaluation, public policy and other activities that promote psychological health in individuals, families and groups.

Participation requirements

Students are required to complete 4 compulsory clinical placements of 2-3 days per week for approximately 20-25 weeks. These placements include at least one placement in the Barwon region.

Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.

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

As a HDR program, it is not typical for students to seek for transfer to an alternative course. In the unusual circumstances where students are not meeting the competencies for the coursework and practice aspects of the program, they may seek to or be encouraged to transfer to a research only program (including to a PhD). In these cases they must can apply in the usual manner for entry into the PhD course, competing with newly applying HDR students. They must also successfully undertake a Doctoral level thesis confirmation.

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) Clinical Research Portfolio comprising of four n-of-1 case studies that include a critical appraisal of relevant literature. Each student will work with a supervisory team to complete their thesis.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, 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. For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

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 3.5 to 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 earlier than the maximum completion time. Students should note that delays in either completion of the research thesis or delays in accessing or completing placements may mean that the duration of the course may be extended.

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

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

Course structure

Core units

Students who commenced their course prior to 2017 should refer to previous handbook entries.

Level 1 - Trimester 1

HPS914

Studies in Psychopathology

HPS977

Psychological Intervention 1

HPS976

Issues in Professional Psychology

HPY940

Psychological Assessment 1

Level 1 - Trimester 2

HPS910

Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 1

HPS907

Advanced Clinical Research Methods

HPS908

Psychological Intervention 2

HPS924

Research Thesis A

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HPS915

Psychological Intervention 3

HPS910

Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 1 (continued)

HPS925

Research Thesis B

HPS979

Psychological Assessment 2

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HPS912

Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 2

HPS926

Research Thesis C

HPS978

Psychological Interventions for Clinical Health and Trauma

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HPS916

Psychological Intervention 4

HPS917

Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 3

HPS927

Research Thesis D

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HPS918

Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 4

HPS928

Research Thesis E

Note: Consistent with a developmental approach, there is a prescribed sequence for coursework and placement units such that successful completion of earlier units is required to enrol in later units. Specific information regarding pre-requisites are described in the individual Unit Guides.

Work experience

Placement program

The clinical placements are designed to equip students with a range of professional skills and an awareness of professional issues. Students will benefit from Deakin’s key placement partnerships including Barwon Health other organisations to ensure they gain experience across child, adolescent and adult populations. The placement program will be determined jointly by the student, the placement coordinators, and the course leadership team. Each placement requires the full complement of days to be completed. Failure of any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.

The placement program overall provides students with diverse clinical experience across community and institutional care; and medical and non-medical agencies. The placement program will be determined jointly by the student, the placement coordinators, and the course leadership team. Contracts will be drawn up which will clearly specify the skills to be taught and the responsibilities of the student and placement supervisor. With few exceptions, Placement supervisors are registered psychologists with a clinical endorsement as a specialised area of practice, as well as being Registered supervisors. Each placement requires the full complement of days to be completed. Failure of any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.

Other course information

Course duration

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

Third party arrangements

Quality assurance arrangements

Course design, revision and quality improvement is focused on design principals provided for in the draft Design Principles for Units and Courses (Deakin). In addition, quality assurance is supported by external accreditation by the APAC which occurs on a 5 year cycle. External Industry feedback is provided for by the contribution of a well-engaged Advisory Board and is incorporated to annual and major course review processes. This is supplemented by robust student feedback with the nomination of Student Representation at each Course level who feed into mid and post Semester Clinical Team meetings and annual Course reviews.

Other learning experiences

Throughout the program students are invited and encouraged to participate in a range of other Faculty led or independently provided professional development activities as well as training in simulation education.

Research and research-related study

The Thesis or Dissertation represents the third component of an accredited DPsych (Professional Doctorate).

This is in line with the purpose of the Doctoral Degree (Professional) to qualify individuals who apply a substantial body of knowledge to research, investigate and develop new knowledge, in one or more fields of investigation, scholarship or professional practice.

According to AQF, research is the defining characteristic of all Doctoral Degree qualifications such as the DPsych (Clinical) and will be typically for at least two years of the qualification. The program of structured learning typically will include advanced coursework designed to enhance the student’s capacity to make a significant contribution to original knowledge in the discipline (or cross-disciplinary field) and/or research-integrated practice developed in collaboration with a relevant professional, statutory or regulatory body. The advanced coursework and research-integrated practice will support the research outcome.

APAC further specifies that the thesis or dissertation must be of a high quality and reflect the fact that this is a doctoral level degree. These degrees are expected to consist of a research component that requires at least the equivalent of one year full-time work spent on the thesis component of the course.

In the current program, the structure is such that the other two components (Coursework and Placement) are completed in the second half of the third year with the final 12 months focussed full-time on the research thesis. Overall, 17 of 32 Credit Point Units of the Course Structure pertain to the Research Thesis, representing a little over two years equivalent of the program.

In the current program, 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) Clinical Research Portfolio comprising of four n-of-1 case studies that include a critical appraisal of relevant literature.