Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) (DPCL) - DPsych (Clinical)

CRICOS code (International applicants): 056703F

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Program focus

The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) has been developed to meet the needs of Psychologists wishing to achieve the highest specialisation in Clinical Psychology. The aim of the program is to provide advanced training in psychological assessment, clinical intervention and a range of professional skills within a scientist-practitioner framework. An extended specialist clinical practicum and doctoral level dissertation ensures that students develop the capacity to undertake independent, critical research and practice.

Professional accreditation

Graduates may:

• apply for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia after a period of supervised practice

• apply for full membership to the Australian Psychological Society after a period of supervised practice

• apply for admission to the College of Clinical Psychology of the Australian Psychological Society after a period of supervised practice.

Program aims

On completion of this program graduates will be able to:

• apply for positions which require a higher degree in Clinical Psychology

• take an active role in theoretical and practical developments in clinical psychology

• contribute to the overall development of the discipline of Psychology.

Program objectives

Successful completion of the program will enable graduates to:

• demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge base concerning evidence based practice of clinical psychology

• demonstrate diagnostic interview skills

• demonstrate understanding and competence in the principles and practice of clinical assessment, diagnosis and case formulation

• demonstrate high level skills in psychological testing and test data interpretation

• apply principles and practice of health intervention

• demonstrate advanced level skills in individual and group clinical intervention

• demonstrate doctoral level research skills in data analysis interpretation and presentation in a theoretical framework

• interact ethically with clients and other professionals

• demonstrate high level clinical intervention skills within a range of community agencies.

Admission requirements

Applicants for admission must be able to:

• demonstrate that they have achieved a minimum of First Class Honours in an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited four-year honours program or equivalent

• provide two satisfactory Referee Reports and a report to address the Selection Criteria indicating the applicant's abilities to successfully undertake the professional and research components of the program

• be assessed in an interview with a panel of Departmental staff as having the interpersonal skills required for professional course work.

Before commencing the program, students must have General Registration with Probationary Conditions or full registration from the Psychology Board of Australia

International Applications

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/EAP programs .

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of your higher education and you as a student pay a student contribution amount, which varies depending on the courses undertaken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called HECS-HELP.

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

The program is designed for full-time or part-time attendance in the on-campus mode. The program contains 24 units of study comprising of 10 units of coursework, a seven-unit thesis and seven units of practicums.

Lectures for the coursework component of this program are given in three two day workshops over the semester. These workshops are normally held on weekdays.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

Computers can play an important role in the studying and learning process, and students are strongly encouraged to make use of up-to-date computer technology to facilitate learning, and in the production of assessment material. Many courses make use of the Internet through online discussion groups and course web pages. Some courses require substantial access to a computer because computer software or CDROMs are integral to the material being taught in the course.

Therefore, when considering the suitability of current computer access and/or the purchase of a new computer, students may need to take into account the courses they will study, and any special requirements of particular courses. Students may be able to study successfully for many courses with a computer sufficient to run one of the current word-processing and spreadsheet programs. All students, particularly those studying in external mode, are strongly encouraged to have access to the Internet and to have a computer capable of running the latest versions of Internet web browsers such as Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer. To achieve this level of capacity, students should consult the Recommended Hardware and Software Standards of the University .

Articulation

Students who have achieved distinctions or better in Masters coursework courses, successfully completed Project A, and have recommendation from their thesis supervisor, will be permitted to apply for entry into the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) program. Students in the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) who choose not to complete this program may elect to transfer credit to the Master of Psychology (Clinical).

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern - Full-time students
• Recommended enrolment pattern - Part-time students

Recommended enrolment pattern - Full-time students

Recommended enrolment pattern - Part-time students