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School of Psychological Science
Professional Postgraduate Degrees
Master
of Psychology
(Clinical, Clinical Neuropsychology)
– coursework
Doctor
of Psychology
(Clinical, Clinical Neuropsychology) – coursework
Doctor
of Psychology
(Clinical, Clinical Neuropsychology) – research
Note: There is no mid-year intake
for these degrees
ABOUT
THE SCHOOL
The School of Psychological Science has been training professional psychologists
since 1972 and has one of the country’s most enduring and well respected
professional training programs. Graduates of the programs hold key positions
in the profession, across a range of organizations in the community, government
and private sectors. Postgraduate training in clinical psychology, neuropsychology
and health psychology capitalises on the vigorous and active research
base of the School, particularly in the areas of clinical, applied and
health psychology, cognitive and developmental psychology, neuropsychology
and neuroscience, and social psychology. The School’s links with
major teaching hospitals and research institutions in Melbourne and regional
centres enable it to provide a universally high standard of practical
training experiences for its professional training candidates.
POSTGRADUATE
PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Aims and orientation
The School’s professional training courses aim to produce graduates
with a high standard of professional competency, capable of working in
a variety of settings. In keeping with the scientist-professional model
of training, emphasis is placed on evidence-based practice, in which the
latest psychological research findings are applied to professional practice
and empirical clinical literature guides the choice of therapeutic interventions.
The orientation of the program is essentially cognitive-behavioural and
a contextual bio-psycho-social model of psychopathology is used as the
basis for training.
Degrees
The School of Psychological Science currently offers postgraduate professional
training in the fields of clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology.
All programs are located on the Bundoora (Melbourne) campus of the University,
and there is no provision for external study.
Professional
Doctorate Research degrees
The School offers Research places in each of the following degrees:
- Doctor of Clinical Psychology
- Doctor of Clinical Neuropsychology
Admission to these degrees is after completion
of an Honours degree in psychology(or equivalent)
The degrees are by coursework, practica and
research with a 67% research thesis component and a total candidature
duration of three and a half years. Research degrees are Commonwealth-funded
for the duration of an accredited HDR course, and applicants must be:
(1) an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand
citizen; and (2) enrolled in an accredited HDR course leading to a Doctorate
by research (including a professional Doctorate) on a full-time or part-time
basis.
Coursework
degrees
The School offers programs through the following degrees:
| • Master of Clinical Psychology |
• Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology* |
| • Master of Clinical Neuropsychology |
• Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology* |
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The Master of Psychology degrees involve coursework
(70%) and research thesis (30%) with a total candidature of two years
duration, while the Doctor of Psychology (coursework) degrees consist
of coursework (60%) and research thesis (40%) with a total candidature
of three years duration (full-time).
*Admission to the full-fee doctoral coursework
degree is only by transfer on merit from the Masters degree at the end
of the second year of candidature or directly by new applicants who have
already completed a Master of Psychology degree at La Trobe or an equivalent
degree at another institution within the last 5 years.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
will be offered for the Master of Psychology degrees in 2008. To check
eligibility for a CSP, candidates should see: www.goingtouni.gov.au
All of the professional programs provide the
specialist training required to gain registration as a professional psychologist
with the Victorian Psychologists Registration Board, to gain membership
of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and eligibility for specialised
supervision leading to full membership of APS Colleges (Clinical and Neuropsychology).
Graduates of La Trobe’s programs are
employed in a wide variety of positions as psychologists, including key
roles in the health and government sectors, in community organizations,
research institutions and industry. The variety and potential of career
opportunities available through these degrees, including the provision
for specialisation in an area of the student’s own choosing, are
extensive and attest to the fact that the University’s programs
have become a benchmark for the training of professional psychologists
in Australia.
MASTER OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
MASTER OF CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY
Course Structure
The two Master of Psychology programs (Clinical and Clinical Neuropsychology)
are designed to provide academic and practical training for students who
wish to work as professional psychologists. The Masters degree is undertaken
over two-years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) study. The degree
requires 240 credit points, consisting of 120 credit points accrued from
subjects taken at each year level. The three components of the course
are lectures and seminars (40%, 100 credit points), practical placements
(30%, 70 credit points), and a research thesis (30%, 70 credit points).
Students must achieve a satisfactory standard in all components to complete
the degree. The research thesis (maximum 15,000 words) involves two parts,
a literature review and a report of an empirical study designed and implemented
by the student. [detailed
course structure pdf 100k]
Admission
requirements
Master of Psychology students must have (a) completed an APS-accredited
three-year program in psychology of at least a B (70%) average or equivalent
across all years and (b) completed an APS accredited fourth-year with
a grade of at least upper Honours 2A (75%) or equivalent. Applicants are
ranked on the basis of academic and professional suitability for the purpose
of selecting candidates for interview. The interview is used as the final
means of selection for entry into the program. A quota may be imposed
on enrolments based on available supervision and facilities.
Coursework
The first year of seminars provides coverage of basic theories and skills
that are essential to professional practice and relevant psychological
research. The second year develops more specialised theoretical models
and applications.
Practical
Placements
Practical experience is provided through supervised placements (internal
and external). The course structure includes 125 days of clinical experience
for the Masters program. The skill development in this area is an interaction
between the didactic component of the course, the presentation and analysis
of case material in the case analysis seminars, and the specific aims
of the placement contract in the placement setting. During the first year
the student is expected to develop skills in interviewing, history taking
and planning intervention programs with the clients who present with various
psychological problems in the University Psychology Clinic. In the second
year placements these aims are further reinforced, with a gradual withdrawal
of direct supervision giving way to a more consultative manner of case
management. Students are expected to demonstrate a more sophisticated
understanding of the assessment, formulation and intervention required
in clinical cases based on a cognitive behavioural framework and to take
more responsibility for management of their casework.
Internal placements: These placements
are conducted in the Psychology Clinic at La Trobe University. This clinic
has been open to the public since 1974 and provides treatment for a very
wide range of psychological disorders. The expectation is that students
on the internal placement will initially observe cases in progress at
the clinic and then begin to take on more responsibility for casework
as their confidence and skills develop. The role also includes professional
and administrative duties. The student working on placement is expected
to adhere to the highest professional standards under the close guidance
and supervision of the staff in the Psychology Clinic.
External placements: The courses have
access to a wide range of organizations in which students can be placed
including major teaching hospitals, clinics and other community organizations
across the metropolitan area. Emphasis is given to placing students in
agencies in which psychologists typically work, such as general hospitals,
clinical health centres, child, adolescent and mental health services,
community mental health centres, psychiatric units in hospitals, CAT teams
(Crisis Assessment and Treatment) and other specialist centres. Placements
in some rural settings are also encouraged. All placements are completed
under the supervision of experienced psychologists. Selection of placement
agencies over the two year program is carefully considered in order to
provide exposure to acute and non-acute cases, child and adult cases,
major syndromes and disorders, a range of types of assessments, and to
a variety of tasks typical of the professional activities of a psychologist
in the field.
Doctoral
coursework degrees (fee-paying)
- Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology
(coursework)
- Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology
(coursework)
- Current Master of Psychology degree candidates
may apply to upgrade their degree to the coursework doctoral level
(extending candidature to three years). Students apply to upgrade
at the end of their first year in the Masters and need to have demonstrated
excellent progress across all components of the course to be accepted.
Coursework doctorates are fee paying courses. It is also possible
for professionals working in the field to upgrade their qualifications
from a Masters to a Doctor of Psychology by coursework by completing
a research thesis and advanced coursework units. The cost of the Doctor
of Psychology coursework degree will be $18,710 pa for full-time enrolment
in 2008.
- New applicants, who are graduates with
a Master of Psychology degree or equivalent within the last 5 years,
wishing to return to study and upgrade their qualifications may apply
for the above coursework doctoral programs.
Specialisation
In the coursework doctorate degree there is scope (particularly during
the third year) to specialise in an area in which the student plans to
gain employment in the future. Training is provided in these areas, and
other specialist areas relevant to the stream chosen (clinical and clinical
neuropsychology) by means of workshops, self-directed learning and specialist
placements throughout the three years.
DOCTOR
OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY (Research)
DOCTOR OF CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY (Research)
Course
Structure
The Doctor of Psychology RTS degrees aim to provide leadership-level professional
training. The degrees consists of 420 credit points - 120 points for each
of three years of full-time study (or the part-time equivalent) and 60
points for the last half-year (or part-time equivalent) weighted as follows:
coursework 16.5% (70 credit points); practical placements 16.5% (70 credit
points) and research 67% (280 credit points). The first two years of the
course include coursework, casework and placement components of the Master
of Psychology as described above. In the third year of the Doctoral program
students undertake advanced-level training, with coursework and an extended
internship of 75 days (total of 200 days of practicum placement across
years 1-3 of the course). Doctoral candidates also complete a thesis of
up to 75,000 words, with a recommended maximum of 60,000 words. There
is no provision for external study. [detailed
course structure pdf 100k]
Admission
Requirements
To be eligible for entry to the Doctor of Psychology applicants need to
have: a) completed an APS-accredited three-year program in psychology,
with at least a B (70%) average or equivalent across all years and (b)
completed an APS accredited fourth-year, with a grade of at least upper
Honours 2A (75%) or equivalent. Applicants are ranked on the basis of
academic and professional suitability for the purpose of selecting candidates
for interview. The interview is used as the final means of selecting candidates
for entry into the program. A quota may be imposed on enrolments based
on available supervision and facilities.
Specialisation
There is scope for candidates to specialise in an area of their choice
(especially during the final year of the Doctoral program). Training is
provided in specialist areas relevant to the stream chosen (clinical or
clinical neuropsychology) by means of workshops, self-directed learning
and specialist placements.
Scholarships
La Trobe University offers an extensive scholarship and candidature program
for postgraduate students who are undertaking higher degrees such as the
research Doctor of Psychology degrees. The Research and Graduate Studies
Office coordinates the administration of Masters by research and Doctoral
candidature, and scholarships for these degrees. Scholarships are available
for Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, and a
limited number of awards are available to overseas applicants. Candidates
in the coursework Master of Psychology degrees are not eligible for scholarships.
Local
Applications for scholarship are considered once a year. The due date
for local applications is 31 October. Applicants with first class honours
(or equivalent) applying for the Research Doctor of Psychology degrees
can also apply for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) or a La Trobe
University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (LTUPRS). Applicants for
an APA must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or have permanent resident
status. The value of an APA in 2009 is $20,427*. The LTUPRS are open to
citizens of all countries including Australia and New Zealand and provide
a stipend of $20,427* per annum (in 2009). The APA and LTUPRS also provide
other allowances for relocation, travel, dependent child and thesis production.
(* per annum, full-time, tax exempt)
International
Postgraduate students other than Australian citizens or persons with permanent
resident status may be liable for substantial academic tuition fees. However,
research students can apply for an International Postgraduate Research
Scholarship (IPRS) as well as the La Trobe University Postgraduate Research
Scholarship (LTUPRS). Applications for scholarship are considered once
a year. The due date for international applications is 30 September. The
IPRS covers academic tuition fees for a period of two years during MBSc
or MSc candidature and three years during research DPsych/PhD candidature.
The LTUPRS provides a stipend of $20,427 per annum (in 2009) and other
allowances for relocation, travel, dependant child and thesis production.
Information about research opportunities for international candidates
can be found at: www.latrobe.edu.au/international/
Information about postgraduate scholarships
and awards, including the conditions under which they are held, as well
as liability for fees can be obtained from the Research and Graduate Studies
Office (RGSO), La Trobe University, Bundoora, (+61 3) 9479 1831 or email:
rgs@latrobe.edu.au.
Applicants should inquire at the RGSO for eligibility conditions and application
deadlines. See website: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/rgso/scholarships.htm
Australian Postgraduate Awards and La Trobe
University Postgraduate Research Scholarships are awarded for three years,
subject to satisfactory progress. Although application can be made to
the RGSO for extension of the scholarship for six months (42 months overall),
extensions are approved only if progress towards completion of requirements
for the degree has been affected by circumstances outside the control
of the candidate.
ENQUIRIES
AND APPLICATIONS:
For further information and application
forms please contact:
Postgraduate Programs Administrative Officer,
Anne Borlase,
telephone +61 3 9479 1984;
facsimile +61 3 9479 1956;
email: a.borlase@latrobe.edu.au
or submit
an enquiry
The Director of Postgraduate Programs is Professor
Glynda Kinsella, telephone +61 03 9479 2409 email: g.kinsella@latrobe.edu.au
Applicants for the Research Doctor of Psychology
must, before lodging a formal application
form, discuss their plans for candidature with Dr Kinsella.
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