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Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) Rules

This is not a current document. It has been repealed and is no longer in force.

Section 1 - Rules

(1) Except where explicitly provided for in these Rules, the Rules for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall apply also to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology).

Admission to Candidature

(2) Admission to candidature shall be determined by the Higher Degree Research Committee ("the Committee") on the recommendation of the Director of the Clinical Psychology program and Psychology Discipline Convener.

(3) To qualify for admission to candidature, an applicant shall have:

  1. completed a UNE Honours degree in Psychology at the level of at least Second Class Honours, Division One; or
  2. completed a qualification deemed by the Committee as equivalent to Rule 3(a), and
  3. passed the prescribed course work program at the equivalent of Distinction level or better.

Course of study

(4) The course of study shall comprise a program of course work and practicum experiences, approved by the Committee on the recommendation of the Head of School in consultation with the Director of the Clinical Psychology Program, and a research thesis on an approved topic

(5) The course of study shall comply with the requirements detailed in the Clinical Psychology Program Handbook and in particular the Handbook's minimum requirements for on-campus and field placement hours as mandated by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

(6) The course of study shall comprise:

  1. a first year of extensive course work study in clinical psychology; completion of a practicum placement; and completion of the proposal for the thesis;
  2. a second year of further course work study in clinical psychology; completion of a practicum placement; and work focused on thesis research;
  3. a third year devoted entirely to thesis research; and
  4. a final year devoted to: thesis completion, and completion of a final practicum placement (which may not be commenced until the thesis has been accepted for examination).

(7) Study mode. The first and second years of study are available only by on-campus study mode. The third and fourth years of study are also available by on-campus study but may be made available by off-campus study mode on the approval of the Head of School.

Conditions of Candidature

(8) Part-time study. The degree is not available through part-time study.

(9) Period of candidature. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the student shall complete the degree requirements in not more than four years of full-time study from the date of admission. Students who have been granted advanced standing under Rule 8 may have their period of candidature reduced proportionately by the Committee.

(10) Course work and practicum supervision. Supervisory arrangements for the course work and practicum components of the degree shall be determined by the Head of School, in consultation with the Director of the Clinical Psychology program.

(11) Research supervision. Supervisory arrangements and conditions for the thesis component will be subject to the requirements set out in Rules 5, 6 and 7 of the Rules for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

(12) Course requirements. To be eligible for the award of the Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology), the student must:

  1. successfully complete all clinical practicum or other field experience prescribed by the School; and
  2. have submitted a thesis that has been passed by the examiners.

Thesis

(13) The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) is a research professional doctorate where the thesis comprises 67 per cent of the course requirements.

(14) The rules for the research thesis and its examination are as described in Rules 10, 11 and 12 for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Practicum locations

(15) One of the three periods of practicum shall be completed in the Clinic of the School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences. The remainder of the practicum shall be completed outside the University.

Withdrawal and Re-admission

(16) Withdrawal from any component of the program shall be deemed to be voluntary withdrawal from candidature by the student.

(17) On the recommendation of the Head of School the Committee may readmit to candidature a student who has withdrawn from any component. On the recommendation of the Head of school the Committee shall decide what, if any, of the previous candidature shall be counted towards the new period of candidature.

Advanced Standing

(18) Advanced standing may be granted to an applicant who has completed the first year of the UNE Master of Psychology (or equivalent as determined by the Committee) on the recommendation of the Head of School.

(19) Advanced standing may only be granted for first year course work or practicum components.

Failure, Progression and Ethical Conduct

(20) Students may have their candidature terminated on the grounds of unsatisfactory progress or unprofessional or unethical conduct.

(21) Failure in course work or practicum. Unless good cause is shown to the Head of School, failure in any component of the course work and/or practicum shall result in a recommendation to the Committee to terminate the candidature. Appeals against termination shall be heard under Rule 4.2(f) of the Rules for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

(22) Practicum conduct. Allegations of unprofessional and/or unethical conduct during practicum shall be determined with reference to the appropriate professional Code of Ethics.

(23) Research progress. Inadequate progression in the research thesis shall be dealt with in accordance with Rule 9 of the Rules for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

(24) Thesis examination. Where the outcome of the thesis examination is likely to be not favourable to the student, the conditions set out in Rules 13 and 14 of Rules for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy shall apply.

(25) Show cause. Before a student has his or her candidature terminated, he/she shall be given opportunity to show cause why such action should not be taken.