Doctor of Psychology (Organisational) - no intake for 2010

Information for Prospective Students

(Acting) Course Co-ordinator:

Dr Simon Albrecht
Telelephone: 99031956
E-Mail: simon.albrecht@med.monash.edu.au

1. Introduction
2. DPsych components
3. Admission and enrolment requirements
4. Credit provision, later year entry and single subject enrolment
5. Fees
6. Scholarships

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.)

2. 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 four different placements.

3. 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. 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.

4. 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.

5. Fees

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

International Students
The annual fee for the DPsych is reviewed each year. International students should visit the Monash International website for the current fee and other important information on studying in Australia.

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

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 is available on the web, with detailed steps to completing the application outlined.

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.

The closing date for scholarship applications is Saturday 31st October 2009.