Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology)

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Overview
Course in detail
Graduate outcomes
Entry requirements
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This is a higher degree by research, incorporating coursework and professional placement components, completed over four years of full-time or eight years of part-time study*. It is possible for students to move between full-time and part-time modes in certain circumstances.

The program gives candidates the opportunity to develop professional and research skills in counselling psychology. The major component of the program (70%) involves a substantial research project, and reporting this research in the form of a thesis. Normally the thesis is 40,000-60,000 words in length, not including appendices and references.

A research topic must be mutually agreed upon by the candidate and a member of staff in the psychology discipline who is qualified to supervise the research. There will normally be an intake of up to five new entrants each year. The faculty may vary the frequency of intake and the number of new entrants depending on the availability of staff to provide suitable research supervision.

Prospective local students may also wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology), Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) or Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology).

Prospective international students may also wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) or Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology).

*International student visa holders must study full-time.

Information sessions

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Duration

4 Year/s

Campus and intakes

Hawthorn -

Semester 1

Course code

N008

CRICOS code

075292G

Fees*

A$25,250 (annual for 2013)*

*The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students studying on-campus in Australia for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Related courses

Course description

*International student visa holders must study full-time.

Course structure

Candidates undertaking the Doctor in Psychology (Counselling Psychology) program will complete the coursework components, 1500 hours of placement and their major thesis. Graduates will be highly skilled in research and professional practice in the area of counselling psychology.

Units of study

Full-time program structure

Year 1
Semester 1
HAY630 Counselling Theory and Skills
HAY627 Advanced Psychological Assessment
HAY648 Research Project (Counselling) A
Semester 2
HAY628 Contemporary Practice in Counselling Psychology (formerly HAY624 Program Evaluation for Psychologists)
HAY640 Supervised Counselling Placement A1
HAY649 Research Project (Counselling) B

Year 2
Semester 1
HAY635 Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral
HAY643 Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues
HAY650 Research Project (Counselling) C
Semester 2
HAY626 Cognitive Behavioural Interventions
HAY641 Supervised Counselling Placement A2
HAY651 Research Project (Counselling) D

Year 3
Semester 1
HAY646 Supervised Counselling Placement B1
HAY652 Research Project (Counselling) E
Semester 2
HAY638 Aspects of Professional Practice
HAY645 Supervised Counselling Placement B2
HAY625 Systemic Family Counselling
HAY653 Research Project (Counselling) F

Year 4
Semester 1
HAY654 Research Project (Counselling) G
Semester 2
HAY655 Research Project (Counselling) H

Part-time program structure*

Year 1
Semester 1
HAY630 Counselling Theory and Skills
HAY657 Research Project (Counselling) A1
Semester 2
HAY628 Contemporary Practice in Counselling Psychology (formerly HAY624 Program Evaluation for Psychologists)
HAY658 Research Project (Counselling) A2

Year 2
Semester 1
HAY627 Advanced Psychological Assessment
HAY659 Research Project (Counselling) B1
Semester 2
HAY640 Supervised Counselling Placement A1
HAY660 Research Project (Counselling) B2

Year 3
Semester 1
HAY643 Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues
HAY661 Research Project (Counselling) C1
Semester 2
HAY641 Supervised Counselling Placement A2
HAY662 Research Project (Counselling) C2

Year 4
Semester 1
HAY635 Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral
HAY663 Research Project (Counselling) D1
Semester 2
HAY626 Cognitive Behavioural Interventions
HAY664 Research Project (Counselling) D2

Year 5
Semester 1
HAY646 Supervised Counselling Placement B1
HAY665 Research Project (Counselling) E1
Semester 2
HAY625 Systemic Family Counselling
HAY666 Research Project (Counselling) E2

Year 6
Semester 1
HAY667 Research Project (Counselling) F1
Semester 2
HAY645 Supervised Counselling Placement B2
HAY668 Research Project (Counselling) F2

Year 7
Semester 1
HAY669 Research Project (Counselling) G1
Semester 2
HAY638 Aspects of Professional Practice
HAY670 Research Project (Counselling) G2

Year 8
Semester 1
HAY671 Research Project (Counselling) H1
Semester 2
HAY672 Research Project (Counselling) H2

Note: subject availability may vary slightly from year to year due to timetable constraints.

* International students are required to study full-time.

Aims and objectives

Aim
To provide students with key generic skills commensurate to those promoted by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Objectives

To promote the development of a broad base of knowledge and understanding of general psychological principles and of their application to human behaviour
To enhance a student’s understanding of human behaviour and the competencies and experiences needed to enter into appropriate occupational settings
To facilitate the development of competencies and an in‐depth knowledge of major issues, techniques and theories enabling students to function as entry‐level practitioners in human services and mental health fields
To expose students to applied areas of psychology, through field experiences and supervision, thus providing opportunities to practice prerequisite skills and competencies
To enable students to assess the level of psychological functioning of individuals, groups, organisations, couples and families experiencing difficulties connected with relationships, education, careers, work, crisis and life changes and to formulate appropriate interventions strategies
To become competent in the administration and interpretation of a range of psychological assessment tools and techniques and to develop a capacity to diagnose psychological disorders and formulate appropriate interventions
To apply more specialised psychological skills and knowledge to normal and/or clinical populations
To maintain high standards of professional practice in order to protect the public by training in: a) ethical, legal and professional matters; self‐evaluation skills – developing awareness of professional limitations; therapeutic interventions, the ability to assess client behaviour, cognitions and to affect and identify presenting problems. To determine whether the practitioner has the skills base to apply appropriate therapeutic intervention, or whether to make a referral to a more qualified practitioner; b) professional competencies in professional work settings; c) assessment of students’ level of proficiency in the specified competencies

Career opportunities

Graduates are equipped for careers in counselling psychology in hospitals, community welfare organisations, research organisations, and private practice.

Professional recognition

This program has been granted full accreditation as a fifth and sixth year course in psychology by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Graduates will be eligible for:

Membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Registration as a psychologist
Membership of the APS College of Counselling Psychologists, after a one year internship approved by the Psychology Board of Australia

Special entry requirements

Following Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course.

Academic requirements

The formal admission requirements for the doctorate are:

A degree from an Australian university and to have completed a four-year sequence of studies in psychology at first or upper second class level in a course or courses accredited by the Australian Psychological Society, or equivalent overseas qualifications recognised by the APS, or a masters degree in psychology recognised by the APS
Experience in face-to-face counselling or significant training in counselling skills e.g. Lifeline, Care Ring, counselling skills in tertiary programs or other appropriate work experience
Demonstrated possession of an appropriate level of knowledge and skill related to research. In accordance with the guidelines set by the Swinburne Graduate Research School, to have applied for and gained candidature approved by the Swinburne Higher Degrees Committee. Applicants who fail to gain candidature will not be eligible to continue in the doctoral program and may choose to apply for a place in the masters program

Applicants with excellent results in their fourth year studies and relevant human services work experience will be short listed and interviewed by a selection panel and an order-of-merit for entry will be prepared taking into account (a) academic record, (b) demonstrated knowledge and skills related to research, (c) previous work experience and training, and (d) academic and professional referees' reports.

English language requirements

Swinburne College English for Academic Purposes Advanced level Certificate (EAP 5 Advanced: 75%); OR, obtaining a minimum IELTS overall band of 7.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.5; OR, a TOEFL (Paper-based) minimum score of 577 (with Test of Written English (TWE) score of 5); OR, a TOEFL (Internet-based) minimum score of 90, with no individual band below 20. Refer to the English Language Requirements website for further information.

How to apply

Apply for this course by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page.

International applicants for the Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) program also must lodge the following forms and associated documents by the closing date:

Application for Admission to Research Higher Degree Candidature and Scholarship - International Students form
Academic Referee Report form (Your referee should send this form to the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences by the closing date.)
Professional Referee Report form (Your referee should send this form to the Faculty of Life and Social Sciences by the closing date.)
APS assessment of qualifications (For qualifications obtained outside Australia.)
Curriculum Vitae (maximum 5 pages)

Closing Date: 31 October 2012 (for Semester 1, 2013 intake).

International applicants should ensure that their overseas qualifications have been assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Course fees*

A$25,250 (annual for 2013)

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to international students, visit our Scholarship Page for details.

Find out more

Enquire online: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/international/enquiry

Email: international@swinburne.edu.au

Phone:
+613 8676 7002 (outside Australia)
Freecall 1800 897 973 (within Australia)

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