Doctor of Psychological Medicine

Year	2010
Course code	79902
Version	1
Faculty	Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences

Award Requirements

Candidature

Academic Requirements

Admission Requirements

Pre-requisites

Completion of a Bachelor of Medicine-Bachelor of Surgery or equivalent at an Australian university or equivalent international qualification; or

Completion of a minimal level of postgraduate professional training and experience in psychiatry, namely the Basic training of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) or equivalent as determined by the Head of School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Additional selection requirements

Nil

Special admission requirements

Nil

Candidature

Confirmation of candidature	The candidate shall apply to have their candidature confirmed: normally within the first six months of enrolment for a full-time candidate; or normally within the first 12 months of enrolment for a part-time candidate.
Expected time to complete	3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Maximum time to complete	12 years
Maximum leave of absence	2 years

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Minimum EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) to complete	2 EFTSL
Expected EFTSL to complete	3.5 EFTSL
Additional course rules	A candidate must maintain regular contact with the School as required by the candidate’s Principal Supervisor.
Additional completion requirements	Nil

Course Structure

Candidates will be enrolled in the time-based subject pertaining to their field of study

Supervision

Appointment of Supervisors

Candidates shall be assigned a Principal Supervisor who shall be a member of the staff of the University and on the Register of Supervisors of the University.

At least one associate supervisor will be appointed on account of his or her professional experience and special knowledge of the candidate’s intended program of study. Associate supervisors need not be staff members of this University, but should have appropriate expertise and professional experience.

With the approval of the HSRS-C, an additional associate supervisor may be appointed to provide supervision if and when the candidate is at a distance from the University.

Supervisors’ reports

The Principal Supervisor will be required to report annually on the candidate’s work. If, in the opinion of the Head of School, the candidate’s progress is unsatisfactory, the Head of School may recommend to the HDRS-C the termination of candidature or other action she or he deems necessary.

Progression

Progression requirements	A candidate’s course of study shall be subject to approval by the HDRS-C, on the recommendation of the Head of the School of Medicine and Dentistry (or where the Head of School is the supervisor, the head of the discipline of Psychiatry)
Exit seminar	A candidate shall, at a seminar, present an overview and synthesis of major findings of the portfolio in a public forum during the final year of candidature.

Evaluation

Thesis requirements	A portfolio of work must be submitted for examination. The portfolio will include: an overview/introduction of 3,000-5,000 words that describes the coherence of the materials submitted and its relationship to the professional practice of the candidate and to the work of others; a 10,000 word critical literature review in relation to a research project or projects; two first authored research reports (5000 words each) prepared as for a peer-reviewed publication in a scientific journal or peer-reviewed book; a signed statement that the materials submitted are the candidate’s own work, and acknowledgement of the role of others with percentage contribution specified. The percentage contribution of others cannot exceed 20%. Candidates are encouraged to publish during candidature and one or more published works may be submitted in lieu of the appropriate research manuscripts, and/or systematic review provided they or their substantive content have not been submitted for advanced standing towards another academic qualification. An original and three copies of all written work must be submitted to the Graduate Research School for examination.
Appointment of Examiners	The Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee (HDRS-C) will appoint examiners on the advice of the Head of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. Examiners will be fully briefed on the nature of the Doctor of Psychological Medicine program and be made cognisant of the proportion of the program to be assessed through the material they examine.
Examination	Successful candidates must be judged, through examination, to have made a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in their profession. The portfolio will be examined by a minimum of two and a maximum of three examiners. Two of the examiners must be external to the University. The HDRS-C, on the recommendation of the examiners, may require the candidate to undertake a further written or oral examination on the topics covered in the portfolio.
Examiners’ reports	Examiners’ reports and the recommendations that follow from them will be dealt with in the same way as other doctoral degrees. That is, through a recommendation from the Head of School to the Higher Degrees by Research Sub-Committee (HDRS-C). The HDRS-C, on consideration of the reports of the examiners, may recommend: the award of the degree; or the award of the degree subject to revision of components of the portfolio to the satisfaction of the Head of School of Medicine and Dentistry (or head of the discipline of Psychiatry) ; or not award the degree; or appoint another examiner; or invite the candidate to resubmit the portfolio for an appropriate Masters degree; or require the candidate to resubmit the portfolio or parts thereof either rewritten or containing further research material for re-examination for the degree of Doctor of Psychological Medicine.

Appeal

Appeal procedures

As per the University appeals procedure for Doctor of Philosophy. See University Requirements for Doctor of Philosophy.

Advanced Standing

Eligibility	Advanced standing is permitted for previous work deemed to be at a doctoral level.
Maximum allowed	I EFTSL (24 credit points)
Cancellation of advanced standing	Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 6 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed the course
Other restrictions	Advanced standing is granted at the discretion of the Dean of Postgraduate Studies on advice from the relevant Head of School

Award Details

Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable – this course does not have majors
Exit with a lesser award	Not applicable