Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Neuropsychology

- with Advanced Specialist Internship - options may include Rehabilitation, Child and Adolescent, Geriatric, Psychiatric, and Forensic Neuropsychological settings

1. Introduction
2. Professional Accreditation
3. DPsych Course Structure
   3.1 Thesis
   3.2 Coursework
   3.3 Practica
4. Admission And Enrolment Requirements
5. Fees
6. Scholarships
7. The Application Process

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. Introduction

The 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.
A distinguishing 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:

• rehabilitation, with its focus on assessment and management in a rehabilitation context
• child and adolescent neuropsychology, with its focus upon assessment and management of children and adolescents with neurological disorders
• geriatric neuropsychology, with its focus on assessment and management of elderly persons with neurological and psychiatric disorders
• psychiatric neuropsychology, with its focus on assessment and management of adults with a primary mental illness
• forensic neuropsychology, with its focus on the assessment of individuals in the legal system.

2. Professional Accreditation

The 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). See the APAC website for details of course accreditation:. For full details of the professional recognition of the course, see the Monash University Handbook, under ‘Professional Registration’.

3. DPsych Course Structure

Details of the structure of coursework units and practicum placements may be found in the Monash University Handbook.

Full-time candidates should be aware of the relevant employment restrictions (see ‘Employment Restrictions’ in the Monash University Handbook

3.1 Thesis

The 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. Details on the thesis requirements may be found at the Monash University Handbook.
While the precise schedule may vary according to the nature of the research, students will be expected to adhere to general schedule of achieving research deadlines at almost every semester (see Monash University Handbook for details).

3.2. Coursework

Coursework 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 within the Monash University Handbook.

3.3. Practica

Students 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 time frame and structure of practica, please refer to the Monash University Handbook.

4. Admission and Enrolment Requirements

Applicants 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. 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.

5. Fees

Australian Citizens/Permanent Residents/NZ Citizens

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

International Students

Students are advised to obtain information regarding fees for the DPsych program from the Monash University Course Finder website

6. 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 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. Please note that applicants will be required to complete a research proposal (of approximately 250-500 words) as an attachment to this application. This can be a general project, based on an extension from a fourth year thesis for example, and can be amended at a later stage after further consideration. Further, as you will need to provide a response for the "Member of Monash staff consulted" you could submit one of the following responses:

• Not applicable for DPsych applicants
• Research Degrees Administrator
• Course coordinator

The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences requests that all scholarship applicants identify a possible supervisor. The School is happy for you to submit the name of a potential supervisor without contacting the staff member.

Further information regarding scholarships, with detailed steps to completing the application.

If you do not hold a First class Honours (H1) degree from an Australian or New Zealand university, please contact the Research Degrees Administrator on +61 3 990 51232 to discuss nomination for H1 equivalence.

7. The Application Process

Applying for the DPsych (Clinical Neuro psychology) program is a three-phase process:

Phase 1: Preliminary Application

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

Please refer to the Monash Research Graduate School website for application processes and forms.  Note that the application form itself has detailed information regarding the application process and requirements.
The completed application form for admission into the Doctor of Psychology should be submitted, along with:

• original academic transcripts or certified copies of transcripts,
• evidence of Australian or New Zealand citizenship (copy of birth certificate, passport or Australian citizenship certificate) or residency status, and
• completed forms from three referees,

to the Postgraduate Studies Office, School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Building 17, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Victoria 3800 by the closing date for applications stated below.

International Applicants:

Please refer to the Monash Research Graduate School website for application processes and forms.  Note that the application form itself has detailed information regarding the application process and requirements.

The completed application for for admission into the Doctor of Psychology should be submitted, along with:

• original academic transcripts or certified copies of transcripts,
• completed forms from three referees,
• evidence of an assessment of your psychology qualifications (if you have overseas qualifications) by the Australian Psychological Society (NOTE assessments cost AU$575 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,

to:

• the Postgraduate Studies Office (details above ) AND
• Monash International Admissions – documents@adm.monash.edu.au

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: Interview

Applicants who are short-listed on the basis of Phase 1 information will be required to attend an interview within the second week of November, 2009.

Phase 3: Final Application

Applicants 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 section B of the Dpsych application for submission to the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Monash Research Graduate School. Successful applicants will be invited to enrol in January 2010.  Course commences in the first week of February.