Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Course Description:
This program is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a three-year major sequence of studies in psychology, in a program (or programs) accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology is intended to complete students' foundation studies in psychology as a science and profession. The program is designed to prepare students to enter the profession by meeting the educational requirements for registration as a probationary psychologist in the state of Victoria and for Associate Membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). The program ensures that all students develop basic competencies in research design and analysis, and an understanding of the ethical, legal and social responsibilities of psychologists engaged in social and applied research and professional practice. Students are also expected to acquire advanced knowledge in several areas of psychology. It is expected that students have basic competence in computer and keyboard skills, including familiarity with SPSS. Students may explore topics of particular interest by choosing elective units of study. Psychology applicants may also wish to consider the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Psychology Strand program.
Aims & Objectives:
The program has the following objectives: to enable students to understand and apply psychological principles in practical settings to enable students to acquire knowledge of social and behavioural science research design and analysis to extend skills in formulating research problems, gathering and analysing data, interpreting and communicating research findings to enable students to acquire advanced knowledge in selected topic areas within psychology and applied psychology, building upon and extending basic undergraduate preparation to provide students with an understanding of the nature of psychology as a profession, the ethical, legal and social responsibilities of the psychologist, and the role of the Registration Boards and the Australian Psychological Society to prepare students for entry-level work as psychologists-in-training under supervision in occupational fields such as applied social research, the human services, and human resources
Course Structure:
The program consists of 100 credit points, equivalent to two semesters of full-time study or four semesters of part-time* study. Students undertake a total of seven units of study, six of 12.5 credit points, and one of 25 credit points consisting of five core units of study (75 credit points), and two electives (25 credit points). Entry is not possible in Semester 2 due to the sequential nature of the two thesis units. *International student visa holders are required to study full-time.
Units of Study:
All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points (CP) unless indicated otherwise. Full-time (one year)Semester 1HAY471 Thesis A HAY453 Advanced Quantitative Methods HAY454 Psychological Assessment And choose one elective unit of study fromHAY472 Contemporary Psychology HET707 Neuroscience MethodsSemester 2 HAY456 Thesis B (25 CP)HAY457 Ethical and Professional Issues and choose one elective unit of study from: HET738 Neuropsychology Methods HAY458 Counselling Psychology HAY473 Current Issues in Social Psychology (subject to availability) Part-time (two years)*Year 1 Semester 1 HAY471 Thesis A and HAY453 Advanced Quantitative MethodsSemester 2 HAY457 Ethical and Professional Issues and choose one elective unit of study from: HET738 Neuropsychology Methods HAY473 Current Issues in Social Psychology (subject to availability) HAY458 Counselling Psychology Year 2 Semester 1 HAY454 Psychological Assessment and choose one elctive unit of study fromHAY472 Contemporary Psychology HET707 Neuroscience MethodsSemester 2 HAY456 Thesis B (25 CP) *International student visa holders are required to study full-time.
Career Opportunities:
Psychologists work in a wide range of areas including community health; clinical, counselling or health psychology; research and training; and human-resource management.
Professional recognition:
This program is recognised and accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a fourth year of study in psychology. Graduates are eligible for: registration as a probationary psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society
Graduate Attributes:
Swinburne aims to produce higher education graduates who are capable in their chosen profession. Learners bring to Swinburne a diverse wealth of experiences and graduate with individual understandings, abilities and attitudes. Within this context it is the intent of Swinburne that its higher education graduates have certain graduate attributes. Graduates are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas: have an in-depth understanding of psychology as applied to several theoretical and applied areas ability to apply knowledge of psychology to applied areas of practice Graduates operate effectively in work and community situations: ability to communicate effectively within the health care provider community ability to carry out psychological assessments aware of ethical issues in the practice of psychology Graduates are adaptable and manage change: ability to identify, formulate and solve problems expectation of the need to undertake life-long learning, and the capacity to do so Graduates are aware of environments in which they will be contributing: understanding of changing issues in psychological assessment and health care delivery Graduates are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community: ability to critically understand the practise of psychology in the workplace
Swinburne aims to produce higher education graduates who are capable in their chosen profession. Learners bring to Swinburne a diverse wealth of experiences and graduate with individual understandings, abilities and attitudes. Within this context it is the intent of Swinburne that its higher education graduates have certain graduate attributes.
Entry Requirements:
A degree from a recognised tertiary institution (or approved equivalent) with a major in Psychology approved by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Applicants who meet the above requirements should also note that offers are based on academic achievement, especially for third year undergraduate Psychology units. Note: Credit may be granted on the basis of other APAC-accredited fourth year studies in psychology and is subject to the convenor's approval and currency of previous studies. Applicants who have obtained qualifications from overseas should ensure that their qualifications have been assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
Credit Transfer:
For the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, credit may be granted on the basis of other APAC-accredited fourth year studies in psychology and is subject to the convenor's approval and currency of previous studies.
Pathways (articulation):
For the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, credit may be granted on the basis of other APAC-accredited fourth year studies in psychology and is subject to the convenor's approval and currency of previous studies. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Recognition of Prior Learning:
For the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, credit may be granted on the basis of other APAC-accredited fourth year studies in psychology and is subject to the convenor's approval and currency of previous studies.Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Course Fees:
The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.For information about Swinburne's fees visit: www.swinburne.edu.au/fees
Application Procedure:
Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology program must lodge the following form and associated documents by the closing date: Direct Application form (local students only) APS assessment of qualifications (if qualifications were obtained overseas) Non-Swinburne applicants whose third year undergraduate Psychology results are not available at the time of application should forward their certified results immediately upon publication to: Faculty of Life and Social Sciences (Room AS320 or Mail H31) Swinburne University of Technology PO Box 218 Hawthorn VIC 3122 Non-Swinburne applicants should provide a covering letter, showing the applicant's full name, contact details and application course details, with any additional documentation being forwarded to the University. Closing Date: Friday, 4 November 2011 for Semester 1, 2012 intake. 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
