The Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a professional qualification for those who wish to work as clinical psychologists. Graduates of the Doctor of Clinical Psychology will be capable of conducting research that makes an original and significant contribution of merit in Clinical Psychology. They will also be knowledgeable, skilled and ethical practitioners of Clinical Psychology, who have a wide-ranging understanding of their profession, and who are capable of adhering to the model of practice specified in the Course Approval Guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society. The program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and approved by the College of Clinical Psychologists for the purposes of determining College membership, and accepted by the Psychology Board of Australia as an approved fifth, sixth and seventh year of study.

This program is currently under review for AQF compliance, and is available only to students who commenced in the program prior to 2013. There will be no further intake to the program. Courses in the program will still be available for students currently enrolled in the program, until all students have met requirements to qualify for the degree.

We believe your life should be enhanced by your learning, not hampered by it. That's why we've produced a program that's flexible, allowing you to balance work and family commitments. With classes being offered one day per week, with two days a week dedicated to clinical placements it may be possible to both study and earn a part-time living. In fact, many of our students are employed as part-time psychologists. If you're looking for rapid completion, then the full-time on campus nature of the program is the perfect option. Alternatively our part-time on campus option caters for those with heavier commitments.

There are many career opportunities for Clinical Psychologists in Area Health Services, both mental health and general health. There are also opportunities in the Department of Community Services, the Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care and in both non-government organisations and the private sectors.

Admission to the program would be available to students who:

1. Hold an Honours degree, awarded at the level of First Class or Second Class Division A (or an equivalent three year/1 year postgraduate combination at Distinction level) in Psychology that has been accredited by Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Applicants with an overseas qualification must provide evidence from the APAC that their studies are equivalent to the above;

2. Be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and associate membership of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council;

3. Satisfy the School of Psychology of their suitability for the professional practice of Clinical Psychology and their ability to conduct doctoral level research;

4. Applicants would normally be expected to have had several years of relevant professional experience i.e. helping people with physical and/or mental health problems or otherwise work with children, adolescents, adults and the elderly.

Selection criteria will also be based on applicants demonstrating a clear understanding of Clinical Psychology and the areas in which a Clinical Psychologist might work.

This program is currently under review for AQF compliance, and is available only to students who commenced in the program prior to 2013. There will be no further intake to the program. Courses in the program will still be available for students currently enrolled in the program, until all students have met requirements to qualify for the degree.

• Desirable criteria include research experience additional to Honours and involvement with professional organisations (e.g. APAC).

  All applicants are required to submit a professional portfolio directly to the University in addition to the application lodged through UAC.

  The professional portfolio must include an application cover letter, a resume, and appropriate attachments. The attachments will include reports from referees and certified copies of university transcripts

The Pro Vice Chancellor, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board, may grant credit for coursework units if;

(a) they can be demonstrated to be directly equivalent in terms of content and depth of study to the corresponding components of the Doctoral program, and

(b) they were completed within the previous five years in a program accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

(c) In accordance with the Accreditation Guidelines of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, credit may be granted for the prior award of a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent) accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council but only to a maximum of 120 units, and no credit may be granted for a previous research thesis.

The approval guidelines of the College of Clinical Psychologists (of the Australian Psychological Society) stipulate that students must spend at least 1500 hours in clinical placements. This requirement will be met with five of the courses within the program being devoted to clinical placements.

This degree program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and approved by the College of Clinical Psychologists for the purpose of determining eligibility for membership of the College.

Students who have completed the same 160 units which are included in the Master of Clinical Psychology will be eligible to exit with the Master of Clinical Psychology.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements.

It is also a requirement of the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) that all non-Australian qualifications, including qualifications from New Zealand, are assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the national assessing authority in Australia for assessment of overseas academic qualifications in psychology. For a fee of $AUD 600, the APS determines the level at which an applicant's qualifications are equivalent to an Australian program of study that has been accredited by the Society.

A telephone interview may be offered, but International students are asked to arrange access to a computer with a webcam and SKYPE. International students are asked to include on their letter of application a SKYPE address and the landline telephone number that they will be contactable on during the interview period.

Students with a disability who require reasonable adjustments to undertake their program should contact the Disability Support Service before semester or early in the semester. Some adjustments need up to 4 weeks lead time to organise, so it is imperative that early contact is made. The Disability Support Service and relevant Faculty and School officers will work together to ensure reasonably adjustments are provided in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. Please visit http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/disability/index.html for more information.

All students can access additional learning development mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/centre-for-teaching-and-learning/learning-development/

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Support and Development Service through the Wollotuka Institute.