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Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology- with Advanced Specialist Internship - options may include Rehabilitation, Child and Adolescent, Geriatric, Psychiatric, and Forensic Neuropsychological settings
Please note: While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, it is possible that there will be some minor revisions in the next few months. 1. IntroductionThe Doctor of Psychology (DPsych) in Clinical Neuropsychology at Monash University is offered by the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine and administered by the Monash Research Graduate School. Clinical neuropsychology is a field which applies an understanding of the neural basis of cognition, emotion and behaviour to the assessment and treatment of adults and children with neurological and psychological disorders. Clinical neuropsychologists are employed in acute hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care programmes, psychiatric settings, and paediatric facilities. Private practitioners undertake a range of work including medico-legal assessments. The DPsych in Clinical Neuropsychology is a three and a half year program which includes research, coursework and supervised practical experience.. The degree prepares graduates, using the scientist-practitioner model, to conduct research in neuropsychology and to work as clinical neuropsychologists in a broad range of settings. A feature of the Monash University DPsych in Clinical Neuropsychology is that its training in clinical neuropsychology is extended through specialisation in an area of the student's choice (subject to availability). DPsych students complete an Advanced Specialised internship in their third year, which enables them to gain more specialised knowledge and experience in an area of their choice. Depending upon student demand, options may include:
2. Professional AccreditationThe program has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) for the purposes of registration as a psychologist in Australia and membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). In addition, the DPsych in Clinical Neuropsychology has been approved by the APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists as meeting their requirements for full College membership. Candidates may apply for full registration as a psychologist in the state of Victoria upon completion of all coursework and placement requirements of the course, and submission of their research thesis to the University for marking. Further information about the requirements for registration as a psychologist in Victoria may be found on the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria’s website: www.psychreg.vic.gov.au 3. DPsych Course StructureThe DPsych comprises three components: A. Thesis ( 70%); The first two years include training in general clinical neuropsychology and must be taken on a full time basis. DPsych ( Clinical Neuropsychology) students take an Advanced Specialised Internship in their third year, with a choice of specialisation in areas such as those listed above. During this 31 week specialised practicum, students will receive advanced training by a mentor supervisor who is a specialist in the chosen field. Students wishing to complete the DPsych in 3.5 years can take the final 18 months on a full-time basis; those who opt to complete the final 18 months on a half-time basis will need a total of five years to complete the program. Coursework is conducted over two 13 week semesters in each of the first two years of the course. The first three supervised practica of 42 days each (or equivalent) are completed during the second and third years, with the Advanced Specialised Practicum, of 62 days taking place during the latter part of third year. While much of the teaching will take place at Monash University’s Clayton campus and the Monash Medical Centre (Clayton) campus, students should be prepared for some travel to other teaching and practicum venues. As with PhD study, the DPsych program is based on a 52-week year with 4 weeks of annual leave. The first year of the program usually commences in the first week of February. Full-time candidates should be aware that the regulations restrict employment to no more than 15 hours of paid work on average in any one week. However, an average maximum of 6 hours only of the employment may be undertaken during normal 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday working hours. 3.1 ThesisThe thesis is expected to provide a significant contribution to knowledge and/or practice in the field of clinical neuropsychology and to demonstrate the capacity of the student to carry out independent research. Word length is approximately 70,000 words. Though the length of the thesis is shorter than the normal PhD thesis, the quality of the research should be of PhD level. Examination of the thesis is undertaken in the same manner as for the PhD thesis with marking by two external examiners. Students will be required to report regularly on their research progress. While the precise schedule may vary according to the nature of the research, in general students will be expected to adhere to the following schedule:
3.2. CourseworkCoursework objectives will be assessed through seminar presentations, case presentations, written assignments and examinations . The Monash University system of grades is used for most units, with participation in seminars and practical sessions taken into consideration in the assessment process. In addition to the core coursework units, students will be expected, from time to time, to attend workshops and relevant special seminars. An outline of the course structure, listing units completed in each semester of the course, may be found at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/courses/2932.html 3.3. PracticaStudents are required to gain extensive supervised assessment, treatment and professional experience with a range of problems across varying age ranges. Thus, practica are available in a variety of settings within the health, rehabilitation, psychiatric and forensic domains. Students' responsibilities in their practica increase as they proceed through the training so that by the final advanced specialised practicum, they should be able to independently carry out assessments and generate, institute and evaluate management plans. At the commencement of each practicum a contract is developed between the student, university and practicum supervisor which identifies the tasks to be undertaken by the student. At completion of the practicum, these form the basis of the assessment reports, with performance assessed as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. A total of 1500 hours (188 days) of practica are required. For the first three practica this usually requires the student to be on placement two days per week for 21 weeks and to have a minimum of 134 hours of patient contact (approximately six hours per week). The remainder of their time is spent in observation, allied professional activities (e.g., ward rounds, case conferences), supervisory sessions and writing reports and case notes. The final, advanced specialised practicum will require the student to be on placement 2 days per week for 31 weeks (or equivalent), during which they will be engaged in a full range of activities relevant to their particular specialisation. During all placements students are required to keep detailed log books of all activities. It is anticipated that the practica will be structured as outlined below. Because of the large research requirement, however, this timetable is flexible and may be altered by negotiation with the placement supervisor. One possible schedule for the four practica is: Year 2, Mid January - End of May Introductory practicum (equivalent to 2 days per week for 21 weeks) 4. Admission and Enrolment RequirementsApplicants for the DPsych must have completed an APAC approved four-year undergraduate sequence in psychology or equivalent (International applicants must have their qualifications assessed by the Australian Psychological Society – see http://www.psychology.org.au/membership/qualifications/). You will need a final fourth year mark equivalent to H1 (High Distinction) or H2A (Distinction) to be eligible. An interview and referee reports are also used to assess students’ suitability to the role of a professional working in the public arena. Enrolment into the DPsych in Clinical Neuropsychology in February 2009 is contingent upon the applicant submitting a brief research proposal and arrangements being made for supervision of the research project. Academic staff will not liaise with potential students about research until they are provisionally accepted into the course due to the large number of enquiries they receive. Enrolment is probationary for the first 18 months with firm admission to the program granted at the end of this period if performance on all components is satisfactory. Students should note that satisfactory performance in all three components of the DPsych is necessary throughout the course, and that progression is always contingent upon satisfactory completion of previous requirements. In addition, an assessment of personal suitability to undertake or continue work as a trainee clinical neuropsychologist is made prior to each practicum. While students who choose or are required to leave the program may seek admission or transfer to other programs of study, the DPsych program does not offer a lower ranking qualification such as a Masters degree. 5. FeesAustralian Citizens/Permanent Residents/NZ CitizensFee-waived Research Training Scheme (RTS) places are normally available. International StudentsThe annual fee for the DPsych is reviewed each year. International students should visit the Monash International web site for the current fee and other important information on studying in Australia: www.monash.edu.au/international Please note that for future years of your course, Monash University reserves the right to adjust annual tuition fees. However, the University undertakes that any adjustment will not exceed 6% per annum and will be applied on the 1st of January each year for that year. In addition to the web address above, international students are advised to contact the following: Monash International 6. ScholarshipsOnly applicants with First class Honours (H1) degree or equivalent will be eligible to apply for scholarships. All applicants with an H1 or equivalent result in their fourth year psychology program should apply for scholarships. All applicants who are currently completing a psychology fourth year should also apply for a scholarship, even if they do not anticipate receiving an H1 result. Further information regarding scholarships is available on the web at: http://mrgs.monash.edu.au/scholarships/index.html#research If you do not hold a First class Honours (H1) degree from an Australian or New Zealand university, please contact Rachael Unwin (Research Degrees Administrator) on +61 3 9905 1232 to discuss nomination for H1 equivalence. Application forms are completed and submitted on-line. Follow the links from the web site http://www.mrgs.monash.edu.au/scholarships/apply/
7. The Application ProcessApplying for the DPsych (Clinical Neuro psychology) program is a three-phase process: Phase 1: Preliminary ApplicationDomestic Applicants (Australian Citizens/Permanent Residents/NZ Citizens):DPsych preliminary application forms and referee report forms are available to download from the web or can be obtained from: The Postgraduate Studies Office The completed preliminary application form, along with
must be submitted to the Postgraduate Studies Office by the closing date for applications stated below.
International Applicants:DPsych preliminary application forms and referee report forms are available to download from the web or can be obtained from: The Postgraduate Studies Office The completed preliminary application form, along with:
must be submitted to:
by the closing date for applications stated below. Please note that international applications can often take longer to process by the International Admissions office, and we therefore recommend that you lodge your application form at least 3 weeks before the closing date.
Phase 2: InterviewApplicants who are short-listed on the basis of Phase 1 information will be required to attend an interview during the between 12th – 14th November, 2008. Phase 3: Final ApplicationApplicants who are provisionally offered a place in the DPsych (Clinical Neuropsychology) program will need to consolidate their thesis topic and formalise supervisory arrangements in order to submit their final application for submission to the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Monash Research Graduate School. |