2018 Postgraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) | 2018

Testamur Title of Degree:

Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology)

Abbreviation:

PhD(ClinPsyc)

UOW Course Code:

209

CRICOS Code:

003002G

Total Credit Points

192

Duration:

4 years full-time (10 sessions inc. 2 Summer Sessions) or part-time equivalent 

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Social Science

Intake Session(s):

Autumn

Delivery Mode:

On-campus

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / N/A

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) aims to equip candidates with both clinical and research training at high levels of expertise.

The coursework and practical experience provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles governing psychological assessment and therapy, and the clinical skills required to treat a wide variety of psychological disorders in children, adolescents and adults.

Candidates also undertake in-depth research that makes an original contribution to the body of knowledge in clinical psychology. The research comprises more than two-thirds of the degree.

Visit UOW's Research & Innovation website for information regarding the University's research activity, research strengths, scholarships and services. For specific information relating to research being undertaken within the Faculty of Social Sciences, visit the Faculty's research pages

Entry Requirements and Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) will be able to:

Knowledge:

  1. Demonstrate a detailed and specialised knowledge of psychological principles, professional ethics and standards (including the ethical, legal and professional aspects of psychological practice), theories of individual and systemic functioning and change, dysfunctional behaviour, psychopathology, the cultural bases of behaviour and organisational systems.
  2. Demonstrate a detailed and specialised knowledge in conducting systematic psychological assessment including diagnostic classification systems and the limitations of psychological tests.
  3. Demonstrate a detailed and specialised knowledge in a range of intervention techniques and strategies including their empirical and theoretical bases, for both individuals and groups.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the process of and fluctuations in the development of the therapeutic relationship and strategies to manage these processes
  5. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the process of research data evaluation and its relevance to psychological practice, articulated through a ‘scientist-practitioner’ perspective.

Skills:

  1. Apply ethical principles effectively to complex ethical dilemmas and generate appropriate responses to such dilemmas.
  2. Determine the most appropriate assessment to administer based on synthesis of complex problem presentations, ancillary data and relevant psychological theories.
  3. Administer and interpret a range of specified tests including intelligence, personality, and memory tests and the mental status examination.
  4. Carry out structured and unstructured interviews, selection interviews, survey interviews, clinical interviews for diagnostic purposes including history taking, and group-based interviews.
  5. Systematically observe behaviour involving both naturalistic and clinical observation and using predetermined procedures for observing the behaviour of one or more persons.
  6. Demonstrate mastery in counselling skills, including micro-skills, rapport building skills, core behaviour change skills and cognitive behavioural approaches.
  7. Develop creative strategies, founded on empirically derived intervention techniques, to overcome impediments in interventions.
  8. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, using validated instruments and protocols, and respond to evaluation data appropriately.
  9. Convey, appraise and interpret information with accuracy in both oral and written formats, appropriate for a variety of audiences.

Applications:

  1. Display conduct or behaviour consistent with the legal requirements and codes of conduct relevant to psychologists.
  2. Promote, restore, sustain or enhance cognitive functioning and a sense of well-being in individuals or groups of clients through preventive, developmental or remedial services.
  3. Interact on a professional level with a wide range of client groups and other professionals.
  4. Apply research knowledge and skills to psychological practice.
  5. Engage in extensive systematic inquiry involving problem identification and the acquisition, organisation, and interpretation of information allowing critical analysis and disciplined, rigorous, careful and scientific inquiry into psychological phenomena.  

Course Structure

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) are required to complete at least 192 credit points, including:

  1. Coursework to the value of 40 credit points;
  2. Practicum to the value of 24 credit points; and 
  3. Research training to the value of at least 128 credit points.
Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
PSYP911 Child and Adult Assessment and Psychopathology 6 Autumn
PSYP912 Principles of Psychotherapy 8 Autumn
PSYP914 Cognitive Behavioural Therapies 8 Spring
THES916 Thesis Part Time 16 Annual, Autumn, Spring
PSYP923 Practicum 1 12 Annual
Year 2
THES924 Thesis Full Time 24 Autumn
THES924 Thesis Full Time 24 Spring
Year 3
THES924 Thesis Full Time 24 Autumn, Spring
PSYP913 Neuropsychology & Neuropsychiatric Disorders 6 Spring
THES916 Thesis Part Time 16 Annual, Autumn, Spring
Year 4
PSYP915 Health and Wellbeing 6 Autumn
THES912 Thesis Part Time 12 Autumn
PSYP924 Practicum 2 12 Annual
PSYP916 Special Groups and Methods 6 Spring
THES912 Thesis Part Time 12 Spring

Professional Recognition/Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) for Registration as a Psychologist, and as a qualifying degree for endorsement in Clinical Psychology.

Other Information

The NSW Health Department requires all staff, including students undertaking clinical placements, in positions dealing with children and patients vulnerable by reason of health status to undergo a criminal record clearance prior to employment or placement in any capacity in the NSW Health System. This clearance will be conducted by the NSW Police Service and will be co-ordinated by NSW Health following enrolment.

For further information email: ssc@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 24 November, 2017