Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Course Description:
The Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) is designed for students who have completed a first degree and have completed a four year sequence of studies in psychology as well as having some counselling experience in an appropriate setting. The program is intended to prepare students for professional practice as counselling psychologists. There are many applications of counselling psychology. This program has been designed to: teach generic skills and areas of knowledge that apply across the various areas of counselling psychology practice examine selected areas of practice that exemplify the delivery of counselling-related services to persons with particular needs Prospective local students may also wish to consider the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) and Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) programs. Prospective international students may also wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) and Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) programs.
Aims & Objectives:
Graduates will be able to: assess the current level of psychosocial functioning of individuals, groups, couples and families and formulate appropriate helping interventions provide counselling help to individuals, groups, couples and families experiencing difficulties connected with relationships, education, careers, work, parenting, crises, and life transitions evaluate and monitor the quality of helping services provided by a counselling services unit provide consulting help to individuals, organisations and community groups in relation to counselling matters
Course Structure:
The program consists of 200 credit points. Students undertake a total of 16 units of study, each of 12.5 credit points, consisting of eight coursework units of study (100 points in total), four placement units of study units of study (50 points in total), and four research units of study (50 points in total). All units are core units and are valued at 12.5 credit points. Coursework units of study (totalling 100 credit points) HAY530 Counselling Theory and Skills HAY524 Program Evaluation for Psychologists**(formerly HAY532 Human Services Research and Evaluation) HAY535 Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral HAY526 Cognitive Behavioural Interventions (formerly HAY537 Counselling Applications) HAY538 Aspects of Professional Practice HAY527 Advanced Psychological Assessment (formerly HAY539 Psychological Assessment) HAY543 Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues HAY525 Systemic Family Counselling (formerly HAY547 Psychology of the Family) Placement units of study (totalling 50 credit points) HAY540 Counselling Placement A1 HAY541 Counselling Placement A2 HAY551 Supervised Counselling Placement B1 HAY545 Supervised Counselling Placement B2 Research units of study (totalling 50 credit points) HAY549 Research Project (Counselling) A1 HAY546 Research Project (Counselling) A2 HAY548 Research Project (Counselling) B1 HAY550 Research Project (Counselling) B2 Four of the coursework units of study comprise advanced study in areas central to the practice of counselling psychology: Aspects of Professional Practice Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral Systemic Family Counselling Cognitive Behavioural Interventions Four of the coursework units of study comprise professional skill development training: Program Evaluation for Psychologists** Advanced Psychological Assessment Counselling Theory and Skills Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues Students also participate in supervised work placements in at least three separate practice settings. Initially students are placed at the Swinburne Psychology Clinic and following this, choose two separate placements suitable in terms of their clientele and mode of service delivery. ** from 2009 onwards HAY524 Program Evaluation for Psychologists will be replaced by HAY528 Contemporary Practice in Counselling Psychology
Units of Study:
Program Structure for students who commenced in or prior to 2008 Please note: pending university approval, the following sequence of units will change for students commencing in 2009 and onwards. Year 1 Semester 1 HAY530 Counselling Theory and Skills HAY527 Advanced Psychological Assessment Semester 2 HAY524 Program Evaluation for Psychologists HAY540 Counselling Placement A1 Year 2 Semester 1 HAY543 Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues HAY549 Research Project (Counselling) A1 Semester 2 HAY526 Cognitive Behavioural Interventions HAY541 Counselling Placement A2 Year 3 Semester 1 HAY535 Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral HAY551 Supervised Counselling Placement B1 Semester 2 HAY546 Research Project (Counselling) A2 HAY525 Systemic Family Counselling Year 4 Semester 1 HAY545 Supervised Counselling Placement B2 HAY548 Research Project (Counselling) B1 Semester 2 HAY538 Aspects of Professional Practice HAY550 Research Project (Counselling) B2 Revised Program Structure for students commencing in 2009 onwards Year 1 Semester 1 HAY530 Counselling Theory and Skills HAY527 Advanced Psychological Assessment Semester 2 HAY540 Counselling Placement A1 Contemporary Practice in Counselling Psychology (HAY528) Year 2 Semester 1 HAY543 Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues HAY541 Counselling Placement A2 Semester 2 HAY526 Cognitive Behavioural Interventions HAY551 Supervised Counselling Placement B1 Year 3 Semester 1 HAY535 Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral HAY549 Research Project (Counselling) A1 Semester 2 HAY525 Systemic Family Counselling HAY546 Research Project (Counselling) A2 Year 4 Semester 1 HAY548 Research Project (Counselling) B1 HAY541 Counselling Placement A2 Semester 2 HAY538 Aspects of Professional Practice HAY550 Research Project (Counselling) B2
Career Opportunities:
Psychology practice and related fields (human resources, helping professionals, research).
Professional recognition:
This program meets the requirements of the APS College of Counselling Psychologists for academic training. It also provides a direct means of professional registration by the Psychologists’ Registration Board of Victoria. It is the most desirable qualification sought by prospective employers of counselling psychologists. The program has been granted full accreditation as a fifth- and sixth-year course in psychology by the Australian Psychological Society. Graduates of the master program will be eligible for: membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) registration as a psychologist in the State of Victoria after two years of appropriate supervised practice, membership of the APS College of Counselling Psychologists
Graduate Attributes:
Graduates are: capable in their chosen professional area adaptable and ethical at work able to conduct professional counselling with individuals and groups competent to conduct personality and intellectual assessments able to conduct applied research and evaluate programs
Entry Requirements:
In order to apply for the program, an applicant must: (a) be qualified for the award of a degree from an Australian university, and (b) have completed a four-year sequence of studies in psychology in a course, or courses, approved by the Australian Psychological Society or hold overseas qualifications recognised as equivalent for the purpose of Associate Membership by the Australian Psychological Society Applicants with good results in their fourth year studies in an approved APS Psychology course and relevant human services work experience will be interviewed by a selection panel and an order-of-merit for entry will be prepared taking into account (a) academic record, (b) previous work experience and training, and (c) academic and professional referees' reports.
Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of previous experience. Following Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course. Credit or partial credit towards a qualification cannot be granted in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience and/or life experience. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Course Fees:
In 2009, tuition fees for this program are based on $1650 per 12.5 credit point unit of study. In the event that a unit of study is derived from another program, the applicable fee will be that of the other program. All fees are reviewed each year and may increase without notice. HELP The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income-contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. FEE-HELP (previously PELS) is available to eligible fee-paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $83,313 from 1 January 2009). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year. Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount. For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au
Application Procedure:
Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swin.edu.au/hed/postgrad/postgrad_application.pdf A shortlist of applicants will be invited to attend a highly competitive selection interview process. Applications closed 31 October 2008 for March 2009 entry - there is no mid-year entry for this program.
Further information:
Web: Enquire online Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794) Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au Website: www.swinburne.edu.au/lss
