University of Sydney Handbooks - 2019 Archive

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Master of Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Philosophy

Clinical Psychology

To qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Clinical Psychology, a candidate must:
(a) complete 96 credit points of units of study as set out in the table of units of study; and
(b) complete clinical placements as prescribed by the Head of School; and
(c) conduct a research project on an approved topic.

First Year

Semester 1
PSYC6078 Clinical Skills and Practice

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3-hour weekly workshops; Clinical placement: 5 weeks, 1 day / week Assessment: Clinical Viva (Adult Therapy); Clinical Skills videotape review; Clinical Log (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
The unit of study allows students to develop the practical skills of clinical psychology practice and put these into practice during their introductory placement in the Psychology Clinic. Clinical skills will be developed through observation of demonstration of model clinical skills, and role play practice with staff feedback. The placement will encompass adult psychometric assessment and therapy practice.
PSYC6082 Treatment Across the Lifespan

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3-hour weekly lectures Assessment: Clinical role play (Video); Clinical role play (Written self-critique); Open book exam (two-hour) (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
This unit introduces current perspectives and on the conceptualisation and treatment of child and adult psychopathology. Core theories and models are presented within a developmental-ecological framework, and examined in relation to the aetiology, course, and maintenance of common psychological problems. Theoretical and practical skills-based training addresses core consultation processes (e.g., relational skills, engaging families) as well as key formats for intervention (e.g., individual, group, parent/family, school-based). Emphasis is placed on the learning of strong practical skills that can be applied to treatment targets in the context of evidence-based, formulation-driven practice. Attention is given to the clinical issues of unique importance to intervention in distinct periods across the lifespan, with respect to case formulation, treatment planning, therapeutic process, and evaluation of outcomes.
PSYC6083 Assessment Across the Lifespan

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3-hour weekly lectures Assessment: Clinical viva (WAIS-IV); Clinical viva (WISC-IV); Adult report writing assignment; Child report summary assignment (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
In this unit students will develop expert understanding of theories and acquire advanced clinical skills that are important for psychological assessment of children and adults. The unit is based on the scientist-practitioner model which highlights the importance of critical thinking and utilisation of up to date research in selection of instruments and techniques to be used in assessments. The unit will promote a clinical approach that integrates clinical history, presentation and results obtained from psychometric testing (when appropriate) to form an opinion. Assessment and management of suicide risk will also be covered. It will develop a conceptual framework for understanding core psychological and developmental disorders, and assessment of these disorders. The unit will focus on assessment of behaviour, affect and cognition across the lifespan. Students will be taught how to undertake psychological assessments and how to communicate these complex findings to a range of audiences.
PSYC6089 Research, Ethics and Professional Practice

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 3-hour weekly lectures Assessment: Clinical viva (Ethics); Child Protection assessment (1-page); Preliminary research proposal (1-page) (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney
This unit will introduce students to current standards of ethical and professional practice in clinical psychology and promote life-long learning and understanding. The unit will also strengthen theory-practice links by exposing students to a range of topics that are relevant to ethical and professional issues that present in the Psychology Clinic and later in professional life, including cultural competence. Students will attend lectures on research methods and evaluation in clinical research, and a series of seminars where they will listen to second year students who will present clinical cases and brief research presentations. Within this unit of study, students will also begin to plan their own research project and submit a preliminary research proposal. All students are required to attend and contribute to discussion of case and research seminar presentations throughout the semester, and are expected to attend the School Colloquium.
Semester 2
PSYC6072 Case and Research Seminars 1

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: Case and Research Seminars Assessment: Attendance at case and research seminars; Attendance at the School of Psychology Colloquium, PSYCHFEST Research proposal presentation (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
This unit of study will continue the case and research seminars introduced in PSYC6089 Research, Ethics and Professional Practice. All students are required to attend and contribute to discussion of case and research seminar presentations throughout the semester, and are expected to attend the School Colloquium. All students will prepare a written case report. Students are required to complete one adult therapy, one child assessment or therapy, and one assessment case report across all case and research seminars units of study. Students will present their research and submit their ethics application, as necessary.
PSYC6079 Placement 1

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Clinical placement: 24 weeks, 1.5-2 days / week Assessment: Contract, mid-placement review, clinical log (compulsory requirements for accreditation) end-of-placement review (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
The unit is designed to provide students with intensely supervised practice in conducting the fundamentals of clinical assessment, diagnosis, formulation, treatment planning, and treatment implementation for adult patients, psychometric assessments for adults and children/adolescents and child, adolescent and family work. A cognitive-behavioural approach is predominant in this placement for adult work. It will also provide an introduction to the practice of conducting psychometric assessments with the aim of achieving competency in the administration, scoring, interpretation and report writing for these assessments. It is expected that three to four cases will be undertaken, but additional cases may be prescribed until a student reaches competency. All students will also conduct child, adolescent or family therapy under the supervision of clinical psychologists with expertise in this area. Students may be offered the opportunity to run a group, subject to availability. Students will be allocated to specific supervisors for adult and child, adolescent and family therapy. While supervisors vary in the format in which they offer supervision, with a mixture of individual, group and observation formats being offered, supervision is intense and with a high level of observation by supervisors throughout the placement.
Textbooks
None prescribed. A wide range of clinical texts are available for consultation in the School of Psychology Test Library.
PSYC6084 Health and Neuropsychology

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 4-hour weekly seminars Prerequisites: PSYC6083 Assessment: Written assignment (2500 words) (100%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
This unit aims to integrate neuropsychology and health psychology to understand the psychological implications of health disorders/disabilities across the lifespan. The health psychology component will examine the relationships between psychological and physical functioning across a range of medical disorders and the way in which cognitive and behavioural factors influence psychological and physical functioning of those with health related problems. This component of the course will be concerned with theories and interventions that improve quality of life for people with medical problems. The course will aim to investigate theories and practice in the areas of improving adherence to treatment, facilitating medical decision-making, adjustment to illness, working with patients and their families with chronic illness and dealing with death and dying. The neuropsychology component of this unit of study will introduce students to core neuropsychological concepts in most common disorders that involve the central nervous system. The course aims to develop students' understanding of functional brain organisation, recovery of function, core neuropsychological syndromes and rehabilitation. Lectures will include theoretical components, case presentations and discussions.
PSYC6085 Specialised Areas of Practice

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3-hour weekly seminars Assessment: Two written assignments (1500 words) (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to specialised modes of assessment and treatment beyond the core models and diagnoses they have learned about to date. This includes both complex presentations in individuals and complex dynamics and interventions in couples and families.

Second Year

Semester 1
PSYC6073 Case and Research Seminars 2

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: Case and Research Seminars Assessment: Case presentation; Case reports; Attendance at case and research seminars; Attendance at the School of Psychology Colloquium (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
This unit of study will continue the case and research seminars introduced in PSYC6072 Case and Research Seminars 1. All students are required to attend and contribute to discussion of case and research seminar presentations throughout the semester, and are expected to attend the School Colloquium. All students will present a clinical case and prepare written case report(s). Students are required to complete one adult therapy, one child assessment or therapy, and one assessment case report across all case and research seminars units of study.
PSYC6076 Research Project 1

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Practical work Prerequisites: PSYC6089 Assessment: Research report (MCP) or Systematic Review (MCP/PhD) (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
During this unit students will be involved in data collection for their studies, with the expectation that at least a day a week will be involved in data collection. MCP students are to complete a research report comprising a literature review including their research question, method section, analytic plan and research timeline including relevant details of their research. The total length of this initial project report must be no less than 2000 words. MCP/PhD students will complete a systematic review prepared as a manuscript for submission, including introduction and aims, method, results and discussion sections. The length of the systematic review will be determined by the area reviewed and journal guidelines, but should be at least 3000 words. These assessments will facilitate the write up of the thesis.
Textbooks
None
PSYC6080 External Placement 1

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Clinical placement, 24 wks, 2 days/week (includes face-to-face patient contact, reading/preparation, patient-related administration tasks such as notes and reports) Prerequisites: PSYC6079 Assessment: Contract, mid-placement review, clinical log (compulsory requirements for accreditation) end of placement review (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
This unit of study involves students completing a placement in a setting external to the University Psychology Clinic. The placement will expose students to a range of presentations in hospitals and community health settings. One external placement is required to be adults and one with children/adolescents and families.
Textbooks
None prescribed. A wide range of clinical texts are available for consultation in the School of Psychology Test Library.
PSYC6086 Reflective Practice and Placement 2

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 3-hour weekly lectures Prerequisites: PSYC6079 Assessment: Two written assignments (1500-2000 words); Contract, mid-placement review, clinical log (compulsory requirements for accreditation), end-of-placement review (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
This unit is designed to extend clinical assessment, formulation, treatment planning, and treatment implementation skills and knowledge for adult and child patients. It also extends trainees' knowledge and experience conducting and interpreting psychometric assessments. Trainees will be allocated to new supervisors for this placement and supervision methods will become less intense, more individual and begin to reflect formats available in external placements. A secondary aim of this unit is to develop students' awareness of complex processes in the therapy room, both those presented by the patient, in the therapeutic relationship and in the internal dialogue of the clinician. Further exploration of critical and philosophical issues will be offered explored to enable students to contextualize the therapies they provide and reflect on them from a wider perspective. Units include a focus on complex psychodynamic phenomenon, as conceptualised in contemporary evidence-based practice and support the development of mature reflective children who are able to focus on both professional and personal development across their careers.

Semester 2

PSYC6075 Case and Research Seminars 3

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Case and Research Seminars Assessment: Case presentation; Case reports; PsychFest research progress presentation (MCP) (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
This unit of study will continue the case and research seminars introduced in PSYC6073 Case and Research Seminars 2. All students are required to attend and contribute to discussion of case and research seminar presentations throughout the semester, and are expected to attend the School Colloquium. Students will prepare case reports written up from an external placement. Students are required to complete one adult therapy, one child assessment or therapy, and one assessment case report across all case and research seminars units of study. MCP students will present their research.
Textbooks
None
PSYC6077 Research Project 2

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Practical work Prerequisites: PSYC6089 Assessment: Research thesis (MCP) or Literature Review (MCP/PhD) (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
MCP students will conduct analysis and interpretation of the data they have collected for their empirical research project. They will write up a completed study, which will be in the form of a manuscript ready for submission to a peer reviewed journal. This paper can, but does not have to be, submitted to a journal prior to being included in the project report. A concise review of the relevant literature needs to precede the manuscript. The total length of the project report must be no less than 5000 words. MCP/PhD students will complete a review of the relevant literature and write this up as a chapter for inclusion in their thesis. The length of the substantive literature review will typically fall in the range of 8,000-12,000 words.
Textbooks
None
PSYC6081 External Placement 2

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Clinical placement, 24 wks, 2 days/week Assessment: Contract, mid-placement review, clinical log (compulsory requirements for accreditation) end of placement review (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
This unit of study involves students completing a placement in a setting external to the University Psychology Clinic. The placement will expose students to a range of presentations in hospitals and community health settings. One external placement is required to be adults and one with children/adolescents and families. As the final clinical placement, this unit represents a capstone experience in bringing together learning from prior coursework and clinical placements.
Textbooks
None prescribed. A wide range of clinical texts are available for consultation in the School of Psychology Test Library.
PSYC6087 Advanced Models and Seminars

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3-hour weekly seminars Prerequisites: PSYC6082 Assessment: Three written assignments (1500 words); Class participation (100%). Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all assessments to satisfy requirements for this unit of study. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Faculty: Science
Note: Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney
This unit is designed to provide students with advanced level training in psychotherapeutic approaches. For example, the unit will cover responses to complex human problems, including personality disorders, from a wider variety of clinical orientations. It focuses on a range of advanced models of therapy, including from time to time, seminars by visiting clinical academics or practitioners with expertise in specific therapeutic approaches.