Doctor of Psychology (Organisational)

Information for Prospective Students

Course Co-ordinator:
Assoicate Professor Sally Carless

Telelephone: 9903 2368
E-Mail: sally.carless@med.monash.edu.au

1. Introduction
2. DPsych course structure
3. DPsych components
4. Admission and enrolment requirements
5. Credit provision, later year entry and single subject enrolment
6. Fees
7. Scholarships
8. The application process

Please note: While every attempt has been made to insure that the information provided here is accurate, it is possible that there will be some minor revisions in the next few months.

1. Introduction

The DPsych (Organisational) is a three and a half year program which includes research, coursework and supervised practical experience. It prepares psychologists, using the scientist-practitioner model, to conduct research in organisational psychology and to work as organisational psychologists

It is intended that completion of the DPsych will qualify students for membership of the Australian Psychological Society and registration as a psychologist in the State of Victoria. The program is designed to satisfy the academic training requirements for membership of the APS College of Organisational Psychologists and registration as an organisational psychologist. In general, a further two years of supervised relevant experience will be necessary for full membership of an APS College and for registration as a specialist psychologist. (It should be noted that selected students will be able to complete the final eighteen months of the program on a half time basis while acquiring supervised experience which could contribute to specialist accreditation.)

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2. DPsych course structure

The DPsych comprises three components:

A. Thesis (70%);
B. Coursework (20%);
C. Three supervised professional placements (10%)

The first two years include training in general organisational psychology and must be taken on a full time basis. The final 18 months of the program are dedicated to thesis completion. See Table 1 for a summary of the program. 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. Half time paid internships may be offered to selected students who wish to complete the last 18 months of study half time while gaining supervised experience.

As with PhD study, the DPsych program is based on a 52-week year with 4 weeks of annual leave.

Table 1. Summary of DPsych course structure

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3. DPsych components

Thesis

The thesis is expected to provide a significant contribution to knowledge and/or practice in the field of clinical psychology or an allied field of professional psychology and to demonstrate the capacity of the student to carry out independent research. Word length is approximately 60,000 to 70,000 words. Though the length of the thesis is thus 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 expected to attend regular research meetings at which they will present progress reports on their projects for discussion.

While the precise schedule may vary according to the nature of the research, in general students will be expected to adhere to the schedule presented in Table.

Coursework

Coursework objectives will be assessed through seminar presentations, presentations, written assignments and theoretical essays; the Monash University system of grades is used, with participation in seminars and practical sessions taken into consideration in the assessment process.

Placement

Students are required to gain supervised professional experience with a range of organisations and in varying occupations. At the commencement of each placement a contract will be developed between the student, university and placement supervisor which will identify the tasks to be undertaken by the student. At completion of the placement these will form the basis of the assessment reports, with performance assessed as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

A total of 188 days of placement are required. It is expected that students will undertake a minimum of three different placements.

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4. Admission and enrolment requirements

Applicants for the DPsych must have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) approved bachelor's degree with honours in psychology at H1 (High Distinction) or H2A (Distinction) level or equivalent qualification. Non-APAC approved psychology qualifications must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society prior to application – see  http://www.psychology.org.au/membership/qualifications/). Assessment of a student's suitability for the role of organisational psychologist will include an interview and referee reports.

Enrolment into the DPsych will be contingent upon the applicant submitting a brief research proposal and arrangements being made for supervision of the research project. Enrolment will be probationary for the first year with firm admission to the program granted at the end of the first year 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.

While students who choose or are required to leave the program may seek admission or transfer to other programs of study, the DPsych program will not offer a lower ranking qualification.

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5. Credit provision, later year entry and single subject enrolment

Admission to the DPsych program may also be available to applicants who have previously completed Masters level coursework and/or supervised practical training in organisational psychology; such students can be granted credit for work of equivalent standing to that of the DPsych which has been successfully completed within the ten years prior to admission. Credit will not be given for previous research. A minimum enrolment period of two years full-time or four years part-time will apply to all later-year applicants.

Single subject enrolment: May be available to suitably qualified applicants on a fee-paying basis.

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6. Fees

Australian Citizens/Permanent Residents/NZ citizens

Fee-waived Research Training Scheme (RTS) places are normally available.

International Students

The 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: http://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
Building 73
Monash University
Wellington Road
Clayton, Victoria 3800
Australia

Telephone: +(61 3) 9627 4852
Fax: +(61 3) 9905 8297

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7. Scholarships

Only 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 eligible applicants who are currently completing a psychology fourth year should also apply for a scholarship even if you do not anticipate getting an H1. Further information regarding scholarships, including application for H1 equivalence status, is available on the website 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 kits are available from the Postgraduate Studies Office by emailing your postal address to dpsych.enquiries@med.monash.edu.au or via telephone on +61 3 9905 4359 or 9905 1232 from mid-August.

The closing date for scholarship applications is Friday 31st October, 2008.

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8. The application process

Applying for the DPsych in Organisational Psychology is a three-phase process:

Phase 1: Preliminary Application

Domestic Applicants (Australian Citizens/Permanent Residents/NZ Citizens):

DPsych preliminary application forms and referee report forms will be available in September. You will be able to download them from the web or obtain them by emailing mop.enquries@med.monash.edu.au or phoning +61 3 9903 1482:

The completed preliminary application form, along with original academic transcripts or certified copies of transcripts, evidence of Australian or New Zealand citizenship (copy of birth certificate, passport or Australian/New Zealand citizenship certificate) or residency status, a brief description of your research interests, and contact details for three referee reports, must be submitted by 31 October, 2008.

International Applicants:

The completed preliminary application form, along with

• original academic transcripts or certified copies of transcripts,
• completed forms from three referees,
• evidence of an assessment of your psychology qualifications by the Australian Psychological Society – see http://www.psychology.org.au/membership/qualifications/ (NOTE assessments cost AU$500 and can take up to 8 weeks), and
• a letter from your university stating your overall grade and ranking within the final year of your undergraduate psychology program,

must be submitted to:

• the PG Organisational Psychology, PO Box 197, Caulfield East,  Vic 3145 AND
• Monash International Admissions – documents@adm.monash.edu.au

by the 31 October, 2008. 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: Interview

Applicants who are short-listed on the basis of Phase 1 information will be required to attend an interview during the week of 10-14 November.

Phase 3: Final Application

Applicants who are provisionally offered a place in the DPsych will need to consolidate their thesis topic and formalise supervisory arrangements in order to submit their final application for submission to the Faculty and the Monash Research Graduate School.

ii. Scholarship application:

Application kits are available from mid-August from the Postgraduate Studies Office by emailing your postal address to dpsych.enquiries@med.monash.edu.au or telephoning +61 3 9905 4359 or 9905 1232.

As stated above, the closing date for scholarship applications is Friday 31st October 2008. ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP. Further information regarding scholarships is available on the website.

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