Course Code

102312

Faculty

Arts, Education and Social Sciences

Course pre-requisites

Completion of a first or second class honours degree from a course accredited by the Australian Psychological Society or equivalent qualification from an overseas institution; or

Completion of four year degree or a postgraduate diploma from a course accredited by the Australian Psychological Society, achieved at a level at least equivalent to a second class honours degree; or

Completion of 24 credit points of study with a Distinction average, in the Master of Psychology at this university; or

Adequate experience and/or training and academic competence to succeed in the course.

Additional selection requirements

Candidates must satisfy the Selection Committee as to their personal suitability for a professional career in psychology. Applications are considered by a Selection Committee comprising the Head of the Department of Psychology, the Director of Professional Programs and at least one other member of the Psychology staff.

Confirmation of candidature

Confirmation of candidature in the doctoral thesis occurs through the successful completion of PY6201 Research Thesis A and PY6212 Doctoral Thesis B (Part 1 of 2) and PY6216 Doctoral Thesis B (Part 2 of 2). Enrolment in certain subjects is restricted to students who have completed PY3107 (Introductory Psychometrics, Assessment and Ethics) or its equivalent

Maximum time to complete

6 years

Credit points

72 credit points as per course structure

Additional completion requirements

Nil

Type of major

Mandatory

Single

Special requirements

Nil

COURSE AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

Singapore

Appointment of Supervisors

A candidate admitted to the Doctor of Psychology shall be assigned a primary and secondary supervisor who shall be members of the staff of the University and on the Register of Supervisors of the University.

At least one associate supervisor may 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 Faculty Research and Postgraduate Studies Committee (FRPSC), an additional associate supervisor may be appointed to provide supervision if and when the candidate is at a distance from the University.

Thesis requirements

A thesis of not less than 30,000 words and not more than 50,000 words must be submitted for examination. The thesis must constitute a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in psychology.

Published contributions may be submitted to support or to form part or all of the dissertation, provided they have not been submitted to support or form part of another academic qualification.

The candidate in submitting published works shall state generally in a preface and specifically in notes the main sources from which the information is derived and the extent to which the candidate has made use of the work of others, especially where joint publications are concerned. Countersignature by co-authors is required. The candidate may also signify in general terms the portions of the work claimed as original or a significant contribution to knowledge and practice in psychology.

The original and two copies of the dissertation shall be submitted to the Graduate Research School for examination.

Examination

The thesis will be examined by at least two external examiners and up to three examiners. One of the external examiners should normally be an appropriately qualified professional psychologist.

Successful candidates must be judged through examination to have made a significant contribution to knowledge or practice in their profession.

Timeframe for appeal

A candidate may appeal against a decision of the FRPSC.

Such appeal shall be lodged in writing, setting out the grounds for the appeal and submitted to the University Registrar within 28 days of the notification to the candidate of the decision being appealed.

Composition of Appeal Panel

The Appeal Panel shall consist of a Head of one of the Schools in the Faculty other than Arts & Social Sciences and two members of the Faculty chosen by the FRPSC.

Candidate representation

The candidate shall have the right to be heard in person or to make submissions in writing and to be represented by the Student Association Academic Support Coordinator, the Student Association Welfare Coordinator, or another member of the University community, provided that any candidate to be so represented must notify the Registrar at least 48 hours prior to the time set for the appeal.

Eligibility

Candidates, who have successfully completed subjects that form part of the Doctor of Psychology while enrolled in other postgraduate courses at JCU, will receive full transfer of advanced standing for those subjects.

Candidates who have completed subjects that are part of an APS-accredited postgraduate program at another Australian university may apply to advanced standing those subjects towards the Doctor of Psychology degree at JCU. Advanced standing normally will be granted where a subject completed elsewhere is, in the opinion of the Director of Professional Programs and the Head of School, equivalent to a subject that forms part of the JCU Doctor of Psychology program.

Currency

Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course

Other restrictions

Not applicable

Inclusion of majors on testamur

The major studied may appear on the testamur.