Swinburne University of Technology - Melbourne Australia
Future Students - Courses
Course Description:
This program is designed for students who have completed a first 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 program 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.
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.
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. International student visa holders are required to study full-time. Students undertake a total of seven units of study, six of 12.5 credit points, and one of 25 credit points consisting of six core units of study (87.5 credit points), and one elective (12.5 credit points). Entry is generally not possible in Semester 2 due to the sequential nature of the two thesis units.
Units of Study:
All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points (CP) unless indicated otherwise. Full-time (one year) Semester 1 HAY471 Thesis A HAY453 Advanced Quantitative Methods HAY454 Psychological Assessment HAY472 Contemporary Psychology Semester 2 HAY456-HAY460 Thesis B (25 CP) HAY457 Ethical and Professional Issues and choose one elective subject 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 Methods Semester 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 HAY472 Contemporary Psychology Semester 2 HAY456-HAY460 Thesis B (25 CP) Please note: 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 Psychologists' Registration Board of Victoria. 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 lifelong 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 practice of psychology in the workplace.
Entry Requirements:
A degree from a recognised tertiary institution (or approved equivalent) with a major in Psychology approved by the Australian Psychological Society. Applicants who meet the above requirements should also note that offers are based on academic achievement, especially for third year undergraduate Psychology units. Applicants may also be interviewed to determine final acceptance.
Credit Transfer:
Credits may be transferred from other APAC accredited fourth year programs in psychology.
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. 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:
In 2008, tuition fees for this program are based on $1500 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 There is no mid-year intake for this program. Applications for February 2009 entry close on 7 November 2008. Non-Swinburne applicants whose final undergraduate psychology results have not been released at the time of application should forward their final results to: Graduate Office (Room AS320) Faculty of Life and Social Sciences (Mail H31) Swinburne University of Technology PO Box 218 HAWTHORN VIC Telephone: (03) 9214 5209 Email: LSSinfo@swin.edu.au
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
