Postgraduate Diploma of Professional Psychology (PDPP) - PGradDipProfPsych

CRICOS code (International applicants): 075024E

This program will be offered from Semester 1, 2012.

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Program focus

The Postgraduate Diploma of Professional Psychology (PDPP) has been developed to meet the needs of Psychologists wishing to complete professional registration requirements under the 5+1 model which involves one year of full-time university study at the postgraduate level followed by one year of supervised practice in the workplace. The PDPP is designed to meet the requirements of the one year of university study, students then complete one year of supervised practice to be eligible for registration requirements.

Professional accreditation

The PDPP will seek accreditation by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a fifth-year program in psychology. Graduates will be eligible to apply for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia after a further one year of full-time supervised practice. Graduates will also be able to apply for full membership to the Australian Psychological Society after a period of supervised practice.

Program aims

The aim of the PDPP is to provide advanced knowledge of the discipline in the core areas of professional practice which comprise the competency standards of the Psychology Board of Australia. On completion of the program graduates will:

• be eligible for general registration as a psychologist once a further one-year of Board approved supervised practice has been completed

• be able to apply for positions which require postgraduate training in Psychology

• take an active role in the theoretical and practical aspects of the practice of professional psychology

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

Program objectives

Successful completion of the program will enable graduates to:

• be prepared for a final year of supervised clinical practice prior to full registration

• take an evidence-based approach to psychological practice that is informed by the scientist-practitioner approach

• have a broad and generalist knowledge of the scope of applied professional practice

• behave and interact ethically with clients and other professionals

• demonstrate familiarity with legal and professional matters in relation to the practice of psychology

• demonstrate a high level of skill and knowledge in conducting systematic psychological assessments using a wide range of techniques and instruments

• demonstrate advanced knowledge and strong skills regarding intervention strategies

• demonstrate a high level of skill in applying research knowledge and skills to psychological practice

• demonstrate an ability to communicate, evaluate, and interpret information in both oral and written forms

• demonstrate sensitivity and knowledge regarding the practicing of psychology in a cultural context

• demonstrate strong knowledge and skills in the provision of psychological services across the lifespan including children, adolescents, and the elderly

• apply knowledge and skills proficiently in the workplace

• apply ethical, legal, and professional matters, psychological assessment, intervention strategies, research and evaluation, cross-cultural issues, and practice across the lifespan.

Admission requirements

Applicants for admission must:

• be able to demonstrate that they have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited four-year sequence in psychology within the last 10 years

• be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia

• provide two satisfactory Referee Reports

• be assessed in an interview (face-to-face or via teleconferencing) with a panel of Departmental staff.

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

International Applicants

International applicants must have completed the equivalent of a four-year APAC accredited sequence in psychology and be considered eligible for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Applicants from countries other than Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America must meet the Psychology Board of Australia English proficiency requirements of minimum scores of 7 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking achieved in one sitting in the International English Language Testing System.

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

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 8 units of study comprising of 5 units of core coursework, 1 elective, and 2 practica.

The elective can be selected from ONE of the following:

Program completion requirements

Coursework content is delivered in four day-long workshops per course over the semester. These workshops are normally held on Saturdays.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 2 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

Students should visit the USQ Recommended Hardware and Recommended Software sites to check that their computers are capable of running the appropriate software and versions of Internet web browsers and to check the minimum and recommended standards for software.

Articulation

The Postgraduate Diploma of Professional Psychology does not currently articulate into any other program.

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