Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

The Doctor of Psychology in Organisational Psychology (DPsych(Org)) is a research degree with both coursework and clinical components, and requires the candidate to submit a thesis. The work undertaken as part of this research degree must constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of the field of organisational psychology, and must demonstrate the capacity of the candidate to carry out independent research.

The DPsych (Org) is offered by the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine. For information about research in the faculty visit http://www.med.monash.edu.au/research/units.html.

A candidate for the DPsych is required to conduct a prescribed program of research for a specified period under the direct supervision of a member of the academic staff. The supervisor, in consultation with the candidate, is responsible for developing the research program to be followed by the candidate, and for reporting at regular intervals on the candidate's progress.

Students who have completed the course will demonstrate a thorough understanding of relevant research techniques in their field through a review of the relevant literature. They will demonstrate their ability, under supervision to apply relevant research techniques to their chosen field of study. Students will be able to present high-quality written work suitable for publication in appropriate scholarly journals, and be able to critically evaluate both their own and others' written work in their chosen field.

Students will also be able to:

• identify and define research questions
• identify the appropriate research methods to address the research questions
• demonstrate mastery of their chosen research methodology/methodologies
• demonstrate theoretical knowledge at doctoral level in their chosen field of research
• communicate their research findings in a format appropriate to their academic discipline
• write up their research into a high quality thesis
• contribute new information or new ways of understanding information in the field of research.

The DPsych prepares psychology graduates for academic/research and professional careers by providing advanced training in both research and the skills required for practice in organisational psychology.

The Faculty Board may give credit for coursework and/or supervised practice already completed and equivalent to particular units and practical work. Credit will not be given for work completed more than 10 years prior to admission to doctoral candidature, nor for more than 50 per cent of the coursework. Credit will not be given for coursework credited to another degree or diploma. Appropriate methods for assessment of equivalence of prior study will be applied either through a viva voce, written examination, submission of referees' reports and/or presentation of written work. Credit will not be given for previous research. No credit will be given for elective units.

70 per cent

Candidature rules

Duration of candidature

The total permissible period of candidature is four years full-time, or its equivalent in part-time candidature up to a maximum of eight years part-time, after which the candidature will lapse. The minimum period of candidature is two years ( four years part-time). Candidates are encouraged to complete their theses as quickly as possible.

Probationary candidature

Probationary candidature applies for all doctoral candidates, except where doctoral candidates have transferred from a masters by research program. Candidature will be confirmed subject to the receipt of a satisfactory report of progress at the end of the one year(full-time) or two years(part-time) period of probationary candidature.

Time available for study

Full-time candidates must be able to devote the equivalent of a minimum of four days a week to the pursuit of their research project; all part-time candidates must devote at least two full days a week to their studies. In the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, part-time candidates in laboratory disciplines must undertake their two days of study during normal working hours/week days. For those part-time students in non-laboratory disciplines, at least one of their study days must be a week day.

Employment restrictions

Full-time candidates are permitted, with the approval of their main supervisor, to undertake a strictly limited amount of paid employment throughout the year, being no more than 15 hours of work per week on average. Up to a maximum of six hours only on average of this employment may be undertaken during normal working hours (9 am to 5 pm, Mondays to Fridays). However, this may be extended to a maximum of eight hours if the employment is limited to one weekday. The candidate's supervisor(s) must be satisfied that any part-time work undertaken does not interfere with the candidate's study program and progress. International students need to be aware that the employment restrictions outlined above apply even though a student visa permits students to work up to 20 hours a week.

It is intended that completion of the DPsych in Organisational Psychology will qualify students for membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and registration as a psychologist in the State of Victoria; the program is designed to satisfy the academic training requirements for membership of the APS College of Organisational Psychologists and registration as an organisational psychologist. In general, a further two years of supervised relevant experience will be necessary for full membership of an APS college and for registration as a specialist psychologist.

The program consists of a number of coursework units (20 per cent), practicum placements (10 per cent) and research culminating in a major thesis (70 per cent). Assessment is by thesis, written examinations, oral presentations and practical reports.

The first two years must be undertaken full-time. From third year, students may elect to complete their studies on either a full-time or part-time basis. Part-time paid internships may be offered to selected students who wish to study part-time while gaining supervised experience.

Thesis

Students submit a thesis of approximately 60,000 to 70,000 words.The thesis may be in the form of a traditional monograph or as a thesis by publication.

The work presented for examination must be the original work of the candidate, except where due reference is made in the text. A candidate may include published work which is directly relevant to the argument of the thesis, provided such work has been written during the period of candidature. Candidates may not present in, or in support of, a thesis any work which the candidate has presented for any other degree or diploma at this University, or any other institution, except with the permission of the Research Graduate School Committee.

Coursework and practicum placements

First year

Semester one

• MOP5021 Personnel assessment
• MOP5031 Multivariate statistics
• MOP5041 Placement 1
• MOP6031 Psychological interventions in organisations

Semester two

• MOP5042 Placement 2
• MOP5052 Recruitment, selection and appraisal
• MOP5062 Contemporary organisational psychology
• MOP5072 Advanced research design and thesis proposal

Second year

Semester one

• MOP6011 Work groups, teams, training and development
• MOP6021 Placement 3

Semester two

• MOP6022 Placement 4
• MOP6052 Advanced organisational psychology

Doctor of Psychology in Organisational Psychology