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Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy (DR-PHILEDP)
Doctorate by ResearchYear: 2024 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
Coordinator
Chelsea Hyde
Coordinator
Associate Dean (Research Training)
Contact
Email: foe-gradresearch@unimelb.edu.au
Future students:
Overview
Award title | Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2024 — Parkville |
CRICOS code | 056962J |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Research |
AQF level | 10 |
Duration | 4 years full-time, or equivalent part-time |
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy signifies that the candidate has undertaken a substantial piece of original research that makes a distinct contribution to discipline knowledge. The MPsych(Ed&Dev) PhD will enable students to become practitioners while developing advanced research skills and experience to enhance their capacity to work in professionally related tertiary programs. The course provides a grounding in the theoretical, conceptual, and empirical foundations of professional practice in educational and developmental psychology, and the opportunity for students to develop skills relevant to professional practice through supervised professional experience. The course provides the opportunity for students to undertake a substantial piece of original research within the field of educational and developmental psychology and related practice.
This is a four-year combined course comprising a Masters (Coursework) and a PhD. The coursework subjects and practicums are spread across Years one to three; with the PhD component completed over Years two to four.
Note:
- Direct entry to this combined program is not available. All applicants must first gain admission and enrol into the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) and may then apply for entry to the combined the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy program for the following year. Applications to transfer are opened to currently enrolled Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) students towards the end of their first year. Please note that selection to the PhD is highly competitive, and is not guaranteed.
- For information on the ‘higher degree pathway to general registration’ as a psychologist, please consult the Psychology Board of Australia (Ahpra) website.
Entry requirements
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
- Within the last 10 years, an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year undergraduate sequence in psychology (namely a three-year major in psychology as part of an undergraduate degree plus a fourth year Honours specialisation in psychology, or equivalent) with a weighted average mark of at least H2A (75%)* or equivalent; and
- A successful application into the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) and be undertaking the first year of the Masters^, before applying for the combined Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy; and
- A research proposal of 5000 – 6000 words; and
- Have the written support of a principal supervisor for the thesis.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- Prior academic performance; and
- The research proposal.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the University’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7+ is required.
Note:
a) *Entry to the Doctor of Philosophy is highly competitive and typically requires achievement of an H1 (80-100%) overall grade range in the relevant honours or Masters degree.
b) ^Direct entry to this combined program is not available. All applicants must first gain admission and enrol into the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) and may then apply for entry to the combined the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy program for the following year. Applications to transfer are opened to currently enrolled Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) students towards the end of their first year.
c) To be validly enrolled, applicants not currently registered with the Psychology Board of Australia must apply for Provisional Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia before the start of the first semester of enrolment, and applicants without a Working with Children Card must apply for one before the start of the first semester of enrolment.
d) Applicants with non-Australian qualifications must provide an Australian Psychological Society (APS) comparability assessment with their application, to confirm their eligibility for Associate Membership. See the Australian Psychological Society (APS) website for details: www.psychology.org.au
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The Melbourne Faculty of Education welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take reasonable steps to enable the participation of students with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Faculty’s programs.
The core participation requirements for study in this course are:
1. The ability to comprehend complex information related to educational and developmental psychology.
2. The ability to communicate clearly and independently in assessment tasks and knowledge of the content, principles and practices relating to educational and developmental psychology.
3. Behavioural and social attributes that enable a student to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.
4. The ability to undertake professional practice placements independently, including:
a. the ability based on personal maturity to establish a professional relationship with client groups and interact with them appropriately;
b. the ability to create, monitor and maintain a safe physical environment, and a stable and supportive psychological environment;
c. the ability to establish effective relationships with all members of the client and caregiver groups;
d. the ability based on mental and physical health to exercise sound judgment and respond promptly to the demands of client groups, and the personal resilience to cope and maintain their wellbeing under stress.
Students who feel a disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity.
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). Graduates of this course will be qualified to practice as a registered psychologist, become a member of the Australian Psychological Society, and an Associate Member of the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists.
Intended learning outcomes
Graduates should demonstrate the skills and knowledge needed to work as an Educational and Developmental Psychologist.
On completion of the course, graduates should be able to:
- Demonstrate and articulate an understanding of contemporary issues in human development theory, particularly differential development, learning processes and social processes in development
- Demonstrate an awareness of the social and cultural diversity in communities, skill in working collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and cultural responsiveness to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
- Understand exceptional development and approaches to inclusion of clients with exceptional needs
- Use assessment and observation procedures and interpret findings to gain accurate information on the cognitive, social, emotional and personality development of children and adolescents; use professional approaches to interact with others by using skilled interviewing, counselling and assessment across the lifespan
- Compose reports to other professionals, parents, and organizations
- Apply a range of approaches to intervention, development, interactive processes, and assessment to the treatment of children and adolescents with identified learning and mental health problems, and where necessary to make appropriate referrals
- Consult and collaborate with colleagues, including those from other professions, and coordinate programs for meeting developmental needs, in keeping with principles of inter-professional learning and practice
- Evaluate critically and interpret research and theory in this field, and carry out research and program evaluation of their own
- Understand and apply ethical principles and procedures
- Develop a wide range of practical professional skills in appropriate educational settings.
Graduates also demonstrate advanced research skills demonstrating:
- Systematic and critical understanding of the theoretical, conceptual and empirical foundations of professional practice in educational and developmental psychology, and the accompanying skills relevant to professional practice through supervised professional experience
- Critical understanding of a complex area of investigation in professional educational and developmental psychology, and specialised research skills as shown in completing a substantial piece of original research and a research thesis which makes a distinct contribution to knowledge
- Capacity to present research findings to the professional and general community
- Capacity to operate autonomously demonstrating responsible judgement as an exemplary practitioner and researcher in the field of Educational and Developmental Psychology
- Independently design, implement, analyse, theorise and communicate research that makes a significant and original contribution to new knowledge that rests on originality of approach and/or interpretation of the findings and, in some cases, the discovery of new facts in the education field
- Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, research ethics and integrity with full accountability for personal research outputs.
Generic skills
Graduates will develop the following set of generic skills:
- Critical reasoning and thinking
- Problem solving
- Respectful communication
- Evidence based decision making
- Creativity and innovation
- Teamwork and professional collaboration
- Self-reflection, career awareness and lifelong learning
- Active and participatory citizenship
- Develop, adapt, and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice in education.
Graduate attributes
Graduates will show a breadth and depth of psychological knowledge, research and inquiry skills, and an ability to apply these to assist with psychological issues across the lifespan and in a range of settings. They will demonstrate:
- Advanced psychological knowledge related to educational and developmental psychology
- Critical, creative thinking with strong reasoning skills. They can apply psychological knowledge, information and research skills to complex problems relating to educational attainment and difficulties, emotional and mental health matters, human behaviour, behavioural change and school wellbeing
- Capacity to use their professional communication skills in an ethical and culturally sensitive manner, in their work with a range of individuals and groups with diverse backgrounds
- Creativity, innovation and self-directedness, continually learning through open evaluation of a range of points of view and possibilities
- Skill in self-assessment, reflective thinking and self-awareness; placing great importance on their personal and professional integrity, and on the willingness to explore, experiment and learn from mistakes
- Empathy and concern for the welfare of others and developed skills in managing their own well-being, reflected in a high regard for human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment
- An advanced ability to evaluate and synthesize research-based and scholarly literature
- A profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship
- An understanding of the relevance and value of their research to national and international communities of scholars and collaborators
- Disseminate and promote new insights to peers and the educational and developmental psychology community
- Generate original knowledge and understanding to make a substantial contribution to educational and developmental psychology research, policy and/or practice
- An advanced ability to initiate research and to formulate viable research questions
- A demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report sustained and original research.
Course structure
The Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy requires the successful completion of 162.5 credit points of coursework, and a PhD thesis.
To obtain the combined degree, candidates must complete:
- Ten core subjects (totalling 112.5 credit points of coursework);
- Four field practicums (totalling 50 points of coursework); and
- A PhD thesis.
Detailed information on the thesis is available at Graduate Research Hub.
Note: Admission to and enrolment in the DR-PHILEDP Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy combined program is a two-stage process:
- All applicants must be admitted into the single MC-PSYCHED Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) program, and complete the first year via the MC-PSYCHED. Students should show satisfactory progress in their first-year Masters’ subjects (to achieve the required level of academic achievement for entry to the combined Master/PhD program).
- During the first year of the Masters, students may then find a PhD supervisor, prepare a research proposal, and apply for entry to the combined DR-PHILEDP Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)/Doctor of Philosophy program for the following year. Students must meet the DR-PHILEDP entry requirements. Please note that selection to the PhD is highly competitive, and is not guaranteed.
Subject options
Students undertake the following subjects in this order:
Year 1
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
EDUC90229 | Ed Psych Practicum 1 | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90218 | Ed Psych Practicum 2 | Year Long (Extended) (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90224 | Counselling Skills for Ed. Psychologists | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90223 | Exceptionality:Assessment & Intervention | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90225 | Psychological Tests | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90220 | Research Methods | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90227 | Working with Groups | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90226 | Learning Processes and Problems | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
EDUC90221 | Consultation in Educational Settings | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
Year 2
The thesis (EDUC80001 PhD Research). Detailed information on the thesis is available at Graduate Research Hub) and
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
EDUC90217 | Ed Psych Practicum 3 | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90253 | Research Proposal | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90222 | Intervention in Problems of Young People | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
EDUC90228 | Development and Differences | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Year 3
The thesis (EDUC80001 PhD Research) and
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
EDUC90216 | Ed Psych Practicum 4 | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Year 4
The thesis (EDUC80001 PhD Research)
Last updated: 10 February 2024