1997 Swinburne Higher Education Handbook

Master degrees
NO91 Master of Arts in Counselling
Psychology
This course is offered as a four year, part-time evening
program. It is designed for students who have completed a
first degree and have completed a four year sequence of
studies in psychology. The course is intended to prepare
graduates .. for . professional practice as counselling
psychologists.
* . -
The course has been granted full accreditation as a fifth and
sixth year course in psychology by the Australian
Psychological Society.
Course objectives
Graduates of the course will be able to:
assess the current level of psychosocial functioning of
individuals, groups, couples and families and formulate
appropriate helping interventions;
provide counselling help to individuals, groups, couples
and families experiencing difficulties connected with
relationships, education, careers, work, marriage,
~arentine, ". crises, and life-transitions;
evaluate and monitor the quality of helping services
~rovided by a counselling - services unit;
provide consulting help to individuals, organisations
and community groups in relation to psychosocial
development and adaptation.
Entrance requirements
Commencing in 1997 the course will run each year. The
intake for 1997 will be limited to ten places. In subsequent
years the intake will rise to twenty. In the event of course
vacancies occurring, it may be possible for individual
students to be admitted to the program before a scheduled
intake. Applicants with good results in their fourth year
studies and/or relevant human services work experience
will be interviewed by a selection panel and an order-ofmerit
for entry will be prepared taking into account (a)
academic preparation, (b) previous work and training
experience, (c) academic and professional referees' reports.
; In order to be accepted into the course, an applicant must
5 (a) be qualified for the award of a degree from an
0 Australian university, and (b) have completed a four-year
2.
=. sequence of studies in psychology in a course, or courses,
approved by the Australian Psychological Society OR hold
overseas qualifications recognised as equivalent for the
v, purpose of Associate Membership by the Australian
8. Psychological Society.
0
Satisfactory progress
Students' progress will be monitored by the School's
Graduate Studies Committee. A student who is given an N
or NA grade for a subject twice may not be permitted to
re-enrol in the course. Students will be required to
complete the course in not more than six years.
Course structure
Counselling psychology is very diverse, with many
particular applications. The course has been organised in
such a way as to (a) teach generic skills and areas of
knowledge which apply across the various areas of
counselling psychology practice, and (b) examine selected
areas of practice which exemplify the delivery of
counselling-related services to persons with particular
needs. There are three course components: coursework
(5O0/o), supervised placements (25%), and an empirical
research project (25%).
The overall structure of the course will be as follows:
Year 1
Semester 1
AY510
AY511
Semester 2
AY512
AY513
Year 2
Semester 1
AY514
AY515
Semester 2
AY516
AY517
Year 3
Semester 1
AY517
AY610
Semester 2
AY6ll
AY612
Human Services Research and Evaluation
Group Counselling Skills
Counselling Theory and Skills
Research Colloquium
Development and Adaptation
Psychological Assessment
Counselling Applications
Supervised Practicum Internship A
Supervised Practicum Internship A
Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues
Counselling Psychology B: Psychology of
Marriage and the Family
Supervised Practicum Internship B
Year 4
Semester 1
AY612 Supervised Practicum Internship B
AY613 Counselling Psychology A: Psychology of Work,
Health Psychology
Semester 2
AY614 Aspects of Professional Practice
AY615 Research Project and Report
Three of the coursework subjects comprise advanced study
in areas central to the practice of counselling psychology:
Development and Adaptation
Psychology of Work and Health Psychology
Psychology of Marriage and the Family
Five of the coursework subjects comprise professional skill
development training:
Human Services Research and Evaluation
Psychological Assessment
Counselling Theory and Skills