by Coursework and Research

The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology degrees are based upon research in selected areas of faculty expertise. Candidates may be accepted in the fields of community, environmental, clinical, developmental, cognitive, forensic, biological and geropsychology.

COURSE LOCATION AND MODE OF STUDY

The courses are available by full-time or part-time study on Joondalup campus.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission is available to graduates with a relevant Bachelor degree with 2A Honours or higher, or a relevant Master of Arts, Science or Psychology degree which has a substantial research component. Admission also depends upon the availability of a principal supervisor from the School of Psychology with expertise in the field of inquiry.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Normally the combined coursework and research degree will be completed over four years of full-time study or the equivalent period of part-time study. The coursework component is normally taken from one of the Master of Psychology courses, but the four-year degree has the flexibility to be tailored to the needs of the student. However, in most cases, a standard pattern of units is recommended that would allow the student to meet the requirements of state registration boards for professional practice in psychology. An initial supervisor will oversee the production of a thesis proposal, and a supervisory panel will assist the development and production of the student’s research. Students are required to make satisfactory progress in each semester for their doctoral thesis units. Students with unsatisfactory progress will not be allowed to remain in the course.

Candidates are expected to participate in proposal seminars.

The placement component for the four-year degree involves 1000 hours of supervised field experience in at least three different settings. Part of the placement requirements is the compilation of a logbook of essential skills and experience.

Any student who enrols in the four-year course and who intends to register as a psychologist within Australia or to join a College of the Australian Psychological Society should consult the course coordinator to learn the additional course requirements. A student who wishes to register as a psychologist in a foreign country should consult the appropriate regulatory body to learn the specific requirements.

The Doctor of Philosophy will culminate in the completion of a thesis that makes a substantial contribution of original knowledge in a specialist area of study.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The four-year degree, has three components:

• A set of 11 units normally completed in the first two years of study.
• A practicum component of 1000hrs (3 units) normally completed in the first two years of study.
• A thesis component. For the thesis component students enrol each semester into the research thesis unit PSY7200 at 25, 50, 75 or 100% of full-time enrolment. Students are required to continue re-enrolling in the thesis component until the thesis is submitted for examination.

The normal course details for the three major areas of specialisation for the four-year option are as follows: