Available in 2024
Course code

PSYC6526

Units

10 units

Level

6000 level

Course handbook

Description

Psychological practica prepare students for their internship year by providing opportunities to apply, under supervision, the professional psychology skills they have acquired. Students will also receive feedback on their performance. The PSYC6526 placement is normally of 20 days duration. At the conclusion of this placement, students will demonstrate basic counselling skills. This course provides students with opportunities to develop inter-personal, intra-personal and professional skills and to observe practice by qualified professionals.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Callaghan

  • Semester 1 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Apply evidence-based and scientific methods to professional practice in empirically valid and culturally responsive ways. (Competency 3.2)

2. Employ professional communication skills, in a culturally responsive manner, with respect to a range of socially and culturally diverse clients. (Competency 3.3)

3. Conduct professional interviews/assessments as appropriate including assessment of risk to formulate a conceptualisation of the presenting issues to determine the most appropriate interventions, including management of risk. (Competency 3.4, 3.6)

4. Interpret and communicate findings in writing using culturally appropriate language. (Competency 3.8)

5. Design and/or implement appropriate empirically support interventions and monitor intervention outcomes. (Competency 3.9)

6. Demonstrate respect for the skills and contribution of other professionals. (Competency 3.10)

7. Work effectively with a range of professional and support staff in the workplace and communicate and collaborate effectively, within the bounds of ethical and legal requirements. (Competency 3.11)

8. Operate within the boundaries of their professional competence, consult with peers or other relevant sources where appropriate, and refer on to relevant other practitioners where appropriate (Competency 3.12)

9. Rigorously apply professional practice policies and procedures, including as they relate to referral management and record keeping, with recognition of different organisational cultures and practices. (Competency 3.13)

10. Engage in self-reflective professional practice, taking account of the impact of their own values and beliefs, and taking appropriate actions as a result. (Competencies 3.14)

11. Evaluate the effectiveness of professional practice of their professional practice, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes where needed. (Competencies 3.15)

12. Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature to inform practice. (Competency 3.16)


Content

  1. Introduction to the profession of psychology, including legal and ethical obligations relevant to public safety and that of psychologists.
  2. Observation of the supervisors' professional work.
  3. Attendance at and participation in supervision meetings.
  4. Instruction and guidance in the choice of assessment instruments, the development and evaluation of psychological case formulations and action plans, and the construction of reports.
  5. Feedback on and supervision of the student's placement work.

Requisite

Students must be enrolled in the Master of Professional Psychology [40117] in order to enrol in this course.


Assumed knowledge

It is assumed that students will have completed a four-year sequence in psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).


Assessment items

Demonstrated competency: Demonstrated competencies in all listed assessments
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.

Project: Self-reflective report
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.

Professional Task: Placement supervisor's evaluation
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.

Professional Task: Review of placement
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.


Compulsory Requirements

Compulsory Placement and WHS Requirements:

  • Ahpra Requirement - Provisional or full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra)
  • National Police Certificate - Students must complete a National Police Check.

Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Callaghan

Placement-1
  • Face to Face Off Campus 75 hour(s) per term
  • Placement/Practical is of 20 days duration (7.5 hours per day for 150 hours).Placement/Practical days are deemed to have commenced only after a learning agreement has been received and approved by the course coordinator.
Practical-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 7.5 hour(s) per week(s) for 10 week(s) starting in week 1
  • Runs over mid-semester break except public holidays.

Course outline