Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Course Description:
Training in family therapy develops systemic thinking and understanding of complex social/relational processes including the emotional impact of social groups and family life on individual mental health and well being. Competency in systemic thinking and practices allows students to contribute to and facilitate change processes in social contexts and has direct applications across a broad range of work places and client populations. Case work with families, family sensitive practise and collaborative partnerships with families in social service, education and mental health service provisions are all underpinned by the ideas and skills of family therapy. Applicants may also be interested in the Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Family Therapy).
Aims & Objectives:
The philosophy underpinning this training program presumes that therapeutic competence is increased when the therapist has a flexible variety of options for the therapeutic context. The systemic emphasis of this training program is complementary to, and is enriched by other therapeutic methodologies, whether intrapsychic or interpersonal, so that other therapeutic approaches are integrated rather than excluded as the student is encouraged to focus on the clinical skills of working with human systems. This program provides advanced level family therapy skills training, theoretical knowledge in family systems and builds on the students’ existing counselling experience and training. Each student is expected to formulate their own learning plan and during the program will reflect on and articulate their individual development as qualified family therapists or more generalist workers within the family setting.
Course Structure:
The Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Family Therapy) totals 100 credit points, comprising ten units of study. Units of study at Stage 1 and 2 normally carry 12.5 or 6.25 credit points. In each year, 50 credit points (25 credit points each semester) constitutes a part-time load. All classes are conducted at: Melbourne Williams Road Family Therapy Centre 3 Williams Road Windsor Vic 3181 OR Geelong Barwon Health - Swanston Centre Cnr Myers Road and Swanston Street Geelong Vic 3220
Units of Study:
Year 1 Semester 1 HAW410 Family Therapy Theory 1 HAW411 Family Therapy Application 1 Semester 2 HAW412 Family Therapy Theory 2 HAW413 Family Therapy Application 2 Year 2 Semester 1 HAW420 Special Issues in Family Therapy 1 HAW421 Family Therapy Application 3 HAW422 Clinical Supervision 1 Semester 2 HAW423 Special Issues in Family Therapy 2 HAW424 Family Therapy Application 4 HAW425 Clinical Supervision 2
Career Opportunities:
Employment in the areas of counselling; psychotherapy; human resources; management; child, youth and family support services.
Professional recognition:
The program content and supervision components may be submitted to the Victorian Association of Family Therapists (VAFT) as meeting the educational and training requirements for clinical membership. Once the students have received their clinical membership of the VAFT they then become eligible, on the basis of this training and supervision, to apply to be on the register of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) For appropriately qualified students the supervision component may partially meet supervision requirements for appropriate professional associations, e.g. Australian Psychological Society, College of Counselling Psychologists, College of Psychiatrists and professional development for General Practitioners.
Graduate Attributes:
Graduates are: Capable in their chosen professional areas Able to operate effectively in work and community Adaptable and manage change Aware of environments Entrepreneurial
Entry Requirements:
Applicants must satisfy the following requirements: Have an undergraduate degree in the health or social sciences from a recognised Australian University, or equivalent qualifications Have training or experience in counselling psychotherapy for a minimum of one year Normally be working in a setting where they will take case responsibility for families and/or individuals. Applicants without an undergraduate degree who demonstrate other relevant qualifications or training may be admitted to the graduate certificate program. Pending satisfactory completion of the graduate certificate, applicants may apply for articulation into the graduate diploma program. Selection is made on the basis of the applicant’s suitability for the program as determined by an interview, referee reports, and upon completion of a four-day introductory course to family therapy.
Applicants without an undergraduate degree who demonstrate other relevant qualifications or training may be admitted to the graduate certificate program. Pending satisfactory completion of the graduate certificate, applicants may apply for articulation into the graduate diploma program.
Selection is made on the basis of the applicant’s suitability for the program as determined by an interview, referee reports, and upon completion of a four-day introductory course to family therapy.
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 skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Course Fees:
In 2008, tuition fees for this program are based on $1350 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 resident humanitarian visas. FEE-HELP (previously PELS) is for eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $80,000 indexed annually). 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 Mid-year entry is not available. Applications for February 2009 entry close on 7 November 2008.
Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.swin.edu.au/hed/postgrad/postgrad_application.pdf
Information Sessions:
2008 Open Day Sunday 17 August 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Only at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses. For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/openday Postgraduate Information Day Tuesday, 7 Oct 2008 4:00pm – 7:30pm Atrium, Hawthorn campus
2008 Open Day
Sunday 17 August
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Only at Hawthorn, Lilydale and Prahran campuses.
For more information, visit www.swinburne.edu.au/openday
Postgraduate Information Day
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2008
4:00pm – 7:30pm
Atrium, Hawthorn campus
Further information:
Web: Enquire online Tel: 1300 368 777 Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au
