This course is for graduates of a four-year accredited psychology program. It will suit those following a study pathway to registration and currently registered psychologists who intend to qualify for an area of practice endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia. The degree provides opportunities for either clinical, academic or research careers. This degree The Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) interweaves supervised research (which accounts for around two thirds of the degree) with advanced coursework and clinical placements. Teaching methods include face-to-face classes, weekend workshops and supervised clinical workshops at the University Northfields (Psychology) Clinic and at external placements. Skills training methods include demonstration sessions, recording and reviewing assessments and therapy, case presentations and role-play. You will develop your thesis with the guidance of an expert supervisor and have some flexibility in the configuration of course work, clinical placements and research. Typically, coursework is completed in years one, three and four, with a sustained research focus throughout. What you will study The program includes subjects in child and adult assessment and psychopathology, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapies, neuropsychology and health and wellbeing. It will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of psychological assessment and therapy, and the clinical skills required to treat a wide variety of psychological disorders in children, adolescents and adults. Candidates also undertake substantial supervised research that makes an original contribution to the body of knowledge in clinical psychology. Course Learning Outcomes Students graduating from the Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) will be able to: Knowledge: Demonstrate a detailed and specialised knowledge of psychological principles, professional ethics and standards (including the ethical, legal and professional aspects of psychological practice), theories of individual and systemic functioning and change, dysfunctional behaviour, psychopathology, the cultural bases of behaviour and organisational systems. Demonstrate a detailed and specialised knowledge in conducting systematic psychological assessment including diagnostic classification systems and the limitations of psychological tests. Demonstrate a detailed and specialised knowledge in a range of intervention techniques and strategies including their empirical and theoretical bases, for both individuals and groups. Skills: Apply ethical principles effectively to complex ethical dilemmas and generate appropriate responses to such dilemmas. Determine the most appropriate assessment to administer based on synthesis of complex problem presentations, ancillary data and relevant psychological theories. Administer and interpret a range of specified tests including intelligence, personality, and memory tests and the mental status examination. Carry out structured and unstructured interviews, selection interviews, survey interviews, clinical interviews for diagnostic purposes including history taking, and group-based interviews. Systematically observe behaviour involving both naturalistic and clinical observation and using predetermined procedures for observing the behaviour of one or more persons.