Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)

Course Details

The Master of Psychology (Ed and Dev) degree at ACU is a two year postgraduate course consisting of academic coursework, practical training in assessment, diagnosis and intervention, lifespan perspective, and completion of a research project. Successful completion of the course allows registration as a general psychologist and eligibility for the two year registrar program, culminating in Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) endorsement in Educational & Developmental psychology.Successful completion of the course allows registration as a general psychologist and upon completion of an additional period of supervised practice, for area of practice endorsement in educational and developmental psychology with The Psychology Board of Australia.

Qualification: Master Degree (By Coursework)

Course structure: 160 credit points. Students must complete 1000 hours of practicum placement in clinical settings with at least 400 hours of face-to-face client contact.During the course, students complete three practicum placements. The first practicum usually occurs in the on-campus training clinic. During this placement students gain experience in assessment, diagnosis and therapy under close individual and group supervision conducted by experienced psychologists. Students must be supervised by a psychologist who is an approved supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia. During the second year of the course, most students complete two six-month external placements. Practicum options include placements in the Catholic Education Office, Department of Education, schools, early intervention services, disability services, and in non-governmental and private practice settings.

Graduates will be well-prepared for work as practitioner psychologists or skilled who work with individuals, families, groups and organisations in a range of settings and have varying roles such as school psychologist, guidance officer, and child and adolescent counsellor. They may conduct psychological and educational assessments and instructional planning for exceptional children, adolescents and adults.