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Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology)

Research course

  • This information is for local students.
  • View course information for international students.
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    you are not an Australian citizen, and
    you are not a New Zealand citizen (excluding TAFE courses), and
    you are not an Australian permanent resident.    local or an international student    ?

Overview

This is a higher degree by research, incorporating coursework and professional placement components, completed over four years of full-time or eight years of part-time study*. It is possible for students to move between full-time and part-time modes in certain circumstances.
The program gives candidates the opportunity to develop professional and research skills in counselling psychology. The major component of the program (70%) involves a substantial research project, and reporting this research in the form of a thesis. Normally the thesis is 40,000-60,000 words in length, not including appendices and references.
A research topic must be mutually agreed upon by the candidate and a member of staff in the psychology discipline who is qualified to supervise the research. There will normally be an intake of up to five new entrants each year. The faculty may vary the frequency of intake and the number of new entrants depending on the availability of staff to provide suitable research supervision.
Prospective local students may also wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology), Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) or Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology).
Prospective international students may also wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) or Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology).
*International student visa holders must study full-time.
Duration4 years full-time or 8 years part-time
Campus and intakes  Calendar
Hawthorn -Semester 1
Study modeFull-time
Part-time (day & evening)
Course codeN008
Fees
Candidates are eligible to apply for both Australian Postgraduate Awards and Swinburne University of Technology Postgraduate Research Awards. The application closing date for these awards is 31 October each year. Go to www.swinburne.edu.au/research/schols.htm
Candidates are also eligible to apply, on a competitive basis, for a Research Training Scheme (RTS) fee waiver after the equivalent full-time first year of study.

Career opportunities

Graduates are equipped for careers in counselling psychology in hospitals, community welfare organisations, research organisations, and private practice.
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Course in detail

On this page: course description, course structure and units of study.

Course description

This is a higher degree by research, incorporating coursework and professional placement components, completed over four years of full-time or eight years of part-time study*. It is possible for students to move between full-time and part-time modes in certain circumstances.
The program gives candidates the opportunity to develop professional and research skills in counselling psychology. The major component of the program (70%) involves a substantial research project, and reporting this research in the form of a thesis. Normally the thesis is 40,000-60,000 words in length, not including appendices and references.
A research topic must be mutually agreed upon by the candidate and a member of staff in the psychology discipline who is qualified to supervise the research. There will normally be an intake of up to five new entrants each year. The faculty may vary the frequency of intake and the number of new entrants depending on the availability of staff to provide suitable research supervision.
Prospective local students may also wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology), Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) or Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology).
Prospective international students may also wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) or Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology).
*International student visa holders must study full-time.

Course structure

Candidates undertaking the Doctor in Psychology (Counselling Psychology) program will complete the coursework components, 1500 hours of placement and their major thesis. Graduates will be highly skilled in research and professional practice in the area of counselling psychology.

Units of study

Full-time program structure

Year 1
Semester 1
HAY630 Counselling Theory and Skills
HAY627 Advanced Psychological Assessment
HAY648 Research Project (Counselling) A
Semester 2
HAY628 Contemporary Practice in Counselling Psychology (formerly HAY624 Program Evaluation for Psychologists)
HAY640 Supervised Counselling Placement A1
HAY649 Research Project (Counselling) B
Year 2
Semester 1
HAY635 Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral
HAY643 Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues
HAY650 Research Project (Counselling) C
Semester 2
HAY626 Cognitive Behavioural Interventions
HAY641 Supervised Counselling Placement A2
HAY651 Research Project (Counselling) D 
Year 3
Semester 1
HAY646 Supervised Counselling Placement B1
HAY652 Research Project (Counselling) E
Semester 2
HAY638 Aspects of Professional Practice
HAY645 Supervised Counselling Placement B2
HAY625 Systemic Family Counselling
HAY653 Research Project (Counselling) F
Year 4
Semester 1
HAY654 Research Project (Counselling) G
Semester 2
HAY655 Research Project (Counselling) H
Part-time program structure*

Year 1
Semester 1
HAY630 Counselling Theory and Skills
HAY657 Research Project (Counselling) A1
Semester 2
HAY628 Contemporary Practice in Counselling Psychology (formerly HAY624 Program Evaluation for Psychologists)
HAY658 Research Project (Counselling) A2
Year 2
Semester 1
HAY627 Advanced Psychological Assessment
HAY659 Research Project (Counselling) B1
Semester 2
HAY640 Supervised Counselling Placement A1
HAY660 Research Project (Counselling) B2

Year 3
Semester 1
HAY643 Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues
HAY661 Research Project (Counselling) C1
Semester 2
HAY641 Supervised Counselling Placement A2
HAY662 Research Project (Counselling) C2

Year 4
Semester 1
HAY635 Diagnosis, Treatment and Referral
HAY663 Research Project (Counselling) D1
Semester 2
HAY626 Cognitive Behavioural Interventions
HAY664 Research Project (Counselling) D2
Year 5
Semester 1
HAY646 Supervised Counselling Placement B1
HAY665 Research Project (Counselling) E1
Semester 2
HAY625 Systemic Family Counselling
HAY666 Research Project (Counselling) E2
Year 6
Semester 1
HAY667 Research Project (Counselling) F1
Semester 2
HAY645 Supervised Counselling Placement B2
HAY668 Research Project (Counselling) F2
Year 7
Semester 1
HAY669 Research Project (Counselling) G1
Semester 2
HAY638 Aspects of Professional Practice
HAY670 Research Project (Counselling) G2
Year 8
Semester 1
HAY671 Research Project (Counselling) H1
Semester 2
HAY672 Research Project (Counselling) H2
Note: subject availability may vary slightly from year to year due to timetable constraints.
* International students are required to study full-time.
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Graduate outcomes

On this page: aims and objectives, career opportunities and professional recognition.

Aims and objectives

Aim
To provide students with key generic skills commensurate to those promoted by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Objectives
  • To promote the development of a broad base of knowledge and understanding of general psychological principles and of their application to human behaviour
  • To enhance a student’s understanding of human behaviour and the competencies and experiences needed to enter into appropriate occupational settings
  • To facilitate the development of competencies and an in‐depth knowledge of major issues, techniques and theories enabling students to function as entry‐level practitioners in human services and mental health fields
  • To expose students to applied areas of psychology, through field experiences and supervision, thus providing opportunities to practice prerequisite skills and competencies
  • To enable students to assess the level of psychological functioning of individuals, groups, organisations, couples and families experiencing difficulties connected with relationships, education, careers, work, crisis and life changes and to formulate appropriate interventions strategies
  • To become competent in the administration and interpretation of a range of psychological assessment tools and techniques and to develop a capacity to diagnose psychological disorders and formulate appropriate interventions
  • To apply more specialised psychological skills and knowledge to normal and/or clinical populations
  • To maintain high standards of professional practice in order to protect the public by training in: a) ethical, legal and professional matters; self‐evaluation skills – developing awareness of professional limitations; therapeutic interventions, the ability to assess client behaviour, cognitions and to affect and identify presenting problems. To determine whether the practitioner has the skills base to apply appropriate therapeutic intervention, or whether to make a referral to a more qualified practitioner; b) professional competencies in professional work settings; c) assessment of students’ level of proficiency in the specified competencies

Career opportunities

Graduates are equipped for careers in counselling psychology in hospitals, community welfare organisations, research organisations, and private practice.

Professional recognition

This program has been granted full accreditation as a fifth and sixth year course in psychology by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Graduates will be eligible for:
  • Membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
  • Registration as a psychologist
  • Membership of the APS College of Counselling Psychologists, after a one year internship approved by the Psychology Board of Australia
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On this page: entry requirements and recognition of prior learning

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

The formal admission requirements for the doctorate are:
  • A degree from an Australian university and a completed four-year sequence of studies in psychology at first or upper second class level in a course or courses accredited by the Australian Psychological Society, or equivalent overseas qualifications recognised by the APS, or a masters degree in psychology recognised by the APS
  • Experience in face-to-face counselling or significant training in counselling skills e.g. Lifeline, Care Ring, counselling skills in tertiary programs or other appropriate work experience
  • Demonstrated possession of an appropriate level of knowledge and skill related to research. In accordance with the guidelines set by the Swinburne Graduate Research School, to have applied for and gained candidature approved by the Swinburne Higher Degrees Committee. Applicants who fail to gain candidature will not be eligible to continue in the doctoral program and may choose to apply for a place in the masters program
Applicants with excellent results in their fourth year studies and relevant human services work experience will be shortlisted and interviewed by a selection panel and an order-of-merit for entry will be prepared taking into account (a) academic record, (b) demonstrated knowledge and skills related to research, (c) previous work experience and training, and (d) academic and professional referees' reports.
  
Note: this program is normally available on a full-time basis only.
 
Applicants  who have obtained qualifications from overseas should ensure that their qualifications have been assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
 
Following Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of previous experience.  Credit or partial credit towards a qualification cannot be granted in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience and/or life experience.
 
Following Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course.
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Apply

On this page: how to apply, course fees, scholarships and find out more.

How to apply

Domestic applicants for the Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) program must lodge the following forms and associated documents by the closing date:
 Closing Date: 31 October 2012 (for Semester 1, 2013 intake).

Course fees

Candidates are eligible to apply for both Australian Postgraduate Awards and Swinburne University of Technology Postgraduate Research Awards. The application closing date for these awards is 31 October each year. Go to www.swinburne.edu.au/research/schols.htm
Candidates are also eligible to apply, on a competitive basis, for a Research Training Scheme (RTS) fee waiver after the equivalent full-time first year of study.

Scholarships

Refer to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies website for further information and guidelines www.swin.edu.au/research/schols.htm

Find out more

Web: Enquire online
Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
Email: postgrad@swinburne.edu.au
 
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