Doctor of Psychology

Undergraduate Thesis

The Doctor of Psychology is a professional doctoral degree intended to prepare graduates for practice in psychotherapy. Earning the degree is originally completed through one of two established training models for clinical psychology.

With this degree, you will further your psychology career, focusing on specific areas such as addiction, educational, industrial/organizational, general, or developmental psychology. You might also pursue an academic career as a faculty member at a college or university, or an administrative career in a higher education institution, a research facility, or a human services organization.

Program Rules Dictionary:

For the purposes of applying part 1 and schedule 1, a reference to student is to be read as candidate.

Director of clinical programs means the person nominated by the head of the school of psychology as the director of clinical programs.

Practicum course means a course containing a practical component where students gain supervised experience in a workplace setting.

Admission:

1- Before applying for admission an applicant must

• Discuss the proposed program with the director of clinical programs; and
• If directed by the director of clinical programs, consult with other nominated persons in the development of the proposed program.

2- To be admitted as a candidate, the applicant must

• Hold either –
  (i) an approved four year bachelor degree in psychology with IIA honors or equivalent; or
  (ii) an approved four year bachelor degree in psychology and an approved masters degree; and
• Complete additional work, if any, set by the executive dean; and
• Satisfy the executive dean that the applicant is qualified for admission; and be eligible for registration as a provisional psychologist in USA.

3- For rule 2.2(a), a coursework masters degree will not be an approved degree unless the applicant gained a GPA of 3.5 or equivalent and the executive dean and head of school decide that the applicant’s performance in the research component is a suitable basis for admission.

4- Transfer to the doctor of psychology: A student in the MPsychClin with a GPA of 3.5 for study undertaken in that program may transfer to the DPsych with the approval of the executive dean.

Enrolment Status:

1- A candidate may enroll on a full-time or part-time basis with the approval of the dean, head of school and supervisor.

2- A candidate may transfer between full-time and part-time enrolment with the approval of the executive dean. The executive dean may set conditions.

3- A candidate who commences, but does not successfully complete, a practicum course may re-enrol in that course in the following semester only if approved by the executive dean.

Program of Study and Research:

1- A candidate must pursue a program of advanced study and research under the appointed supervisor, in a field of study approved by the executive dean, including #48 from the DPsych list.

2- A candidate must —

• pursue the program for 3 years (if full-time) or the part-time equivalent;
• enroll for the research thesis within 3 years (if full-time) or the part-time equivalent, of first enrolling in the program;
• pursue the program without interruption from the first enrolment date to the completion of the thesis; and
• have provisional or general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia for the duration of enrolment in the program.

3- The degree will be awarded in an approved field of study.

Credit for Other Study:

1- The executive dean may grant credit for previous work done by a candidate.

2- Credit must only be given for work that was adequately supervised and of appropriate quality.

Reports:

1- A candidate must provide regular reports on the work undertaken. The reports must also show that the candidate is complying with the rules.

2- The candidate must be advised of the form and timing of the reports.

3- The candidate must submit the reports to the supervisor and the head of school. The report will then be forwarded to the executive dean with the comments of the supervisor and head of school.

Termination of Enrolment:

The executive dean may terminate a candidate’s enrolment at any time if the executive dean decides that the candidate has not —

• made satisfactory progress with the work; or
• complied with a reasonable direction of the supervisor or program co-ordinator; or
• provided in sufficient detail a report required under the rules; or
• complied with a condition of enrolment set by the executive dean.

Early Exit:

A candidate who withdraws may be granted an award in the psychology suite of programs if the candidate has satisfied the requirement

Doctor of Psychology
Psy623   Statistics and Research Design in Psychological Science
Psy658   Psychological Testing and Measurement
Psy637   Biological Psychology
Psy640   Cognitive Psychology
Psy641   Developmental Psychology
Psy657   Social Psychology
Psy642   Abnormal Psychology
Psy633   Personality Psychology`
Psy610   Independent Study in Human Development
Psy620   Independent Study in Social Psychology
Psy630   Independent Study in Mental Health
Psy632   Advanced Clinical Health Psychology
BA700   Topics- Research Proposal
BA715   Field Work Experience
BA718   Community Mental Health
DA720   Doctoral Dissertation I
DA721   Doctoral Dissertation II
DA722   Doctoral Dissertation III