| Semester 1, 2023 External | |
| Units : | 1 |
| School or Department : | School of Psychology and Wellbeing |
| Grading basis : | Pass/Not Pass |
| Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: MPPS or MCPS or be undertaking the course as professional development
Overview
To become fully aware of the role of the professional psychologist, students need to work within a general psychological practice setting. The practicum requires the student to experience some of the broader issues that a practising psychologist must typically manage when integrating academic learning with professional application. Students will learn how the discipline of psychology functions in the placement setting, the role of other disciplines or professions, and the professional etiquette and ethics involved.
The assessment in this course is competency-based. Students will achieve either a pass or fail for each assessment. Students need to pass all assessment items to successfully complete the course. These competency items form part of the UniSQ accreditation agreement with the accrediting organisation/s (where relevant).
The first practicum course is designed to provide students with a structured situation in a practice setting in which appropriate psychological skills can be developed to high levels of competency. It provides an opportunity to examine applied problems from a theoretical perspective and to then apply empirically supported interventions. It therefore promotes a scientist-practitioner model of the professional psychologist. Students will be encouraged to approach applied problems and skill based learning from a hypothesis-based assessment perspective. The emphasis is on skill development in a supervised and structured environment. Expert feedback on performance is seen as an essential feature of the learning process and strong emphasis is placed on skill development under adequate supervision.
Course learning outcomes
On completion of the course, students should be able to:
- conduct a preliminary intake interview;
- formulate questions to guide further assessment and intervention;
- plan, conduct and evaluate assessment case studies;
- plan, conduct and evaluate intervention case studies;
- apply a working knowledge of the role of psychological interventions within an Interprofessional team;
- construct and present case reports in oral and written formats;
- apply insightful self-analysis of clinical intervention expertise.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Specific goals for assessment and intervention skills to be arranged between the student and his or her supervisors according to the opportunities afforded at the practicum site. See additional guidelines in the Student Practicum Handbook. | 100.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
(Directed reading as assigned and recorded in the Goals and Objectives Form of the MPPS Practicum Handbook for each placement. Students will also be required to consult relevant psychological journals in preparation for working with clients.)
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
| Description | Group Assessment |
Course learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Placement Performance 1 | No | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Placement Performance 2 | No | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |