PSY8180 Advanced Practicum

Contents

• Staffing
• Requisites
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

REQUISITES

RATIONALE

The advanced practicum course is designed to provide doctoral students with an opportunity for focussed and specialised training under supervision in order to develop expertise in their area of specialisation.

SYNOPSIS

This course prepares the student for entry into the profession at a senior level with particular identifiable expertise. The student will complete the required hours under the supervision of a practitioner with recognised expertise in the area. The practicum may involve more than one setting as some students may choose to broaden competencies in several areas of specialisation.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the practicum, students will be able to demonstrate many competencies identified in the APS Competencies for Psychologists (1996): case formulation, assessment, intervention, service implementation, professional legal and ethical principles, communication and professional and community relations in a clinical context. Actual content of the Practicum will include skills as identified in the respective College Competency document. Specifically students will be able to:

1. formulate questions to guide assessment and intervention (Mid-Practicum Interview and Final Practicum Evaluation);
2. plan, conduct and evaluate assessment protocols at individual, group and organisational levels (Mid-Practicum Interview and Final Practicum Evaluation);
3. plan, conduct and evaluate intervention protocols at individual, group and organisational levels (Mid-Practicum Interview and Final Practicum Evaluation);
4. demonstrate a working knowledge of the role of psychological assessments and interventions within multidisciplinary team (Mid-Practicum Interview and Final Practicum Evaluation);
5. construct and present individual and organisational reports in oral and written formats appropriate to the setting (Mid-Practicum Interview and Final Practicum Evaluation);
6. produce a higher standard of work than for other practicum courses because of its advanced nature (Mid-Practicum Interview and Final Practicum Evaluation);
7. demonstrate insightful self-analysis of clinical intervention expertise (Critical Case Review).

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Directed reading as assigned and recorded in the Student's Goals and Objectives form. Students will consult relevant psychological journals.

Bramston, P 2008, Practicum contract plan: review forms, Department of Psychology USQ, Toowoomba.

The Australian Psychological Society Ltd 1999, Code of ethics, The Australian Psychological Society Ltd, Carlton South, Victoria.

The Australian Psychological Society Ltd 2003, Ethical guidelines, 5th edn, The Australian Psychological Society Ltd, Melbourne, Victoria.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To obtain a satisfactory standard on the final placement evaluation of the University and setting supervisors, the student must obtain a satisfactory rating on all of the assessment criteria on the Practicum Evaluation Form.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   Penalties not applicable.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To receive a passing grade in this course students must complete the required hours of Practical Experience as organized by the Psychology Practicum Coordinator and obtain a satisfactory standard on the Final Practicum Evaluation.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   As P is the only passing grade available for this course, all students who are qualified for a passing grade as in Assessment 4 will be given a grade of P. Other students will be given either a Failing grade if they do not achieve the goals stated in the Practicum Booklet (referred to in Assessment Note 10) or an Incomplete grade. Students who fail the Practicum cannot continue in the Program.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 29 Jul 2008.