Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
Enrolment Note:This course has a delayed enrolment date and will open following the allocation of Honours streams. Students will be advised of the specific date each year when their Honours stream is confirmed and should contact the School of Psychology for further information. This course is restricted to fourth year students enrolled in PSYC4091 Team Research Thesis. There is an enrolment quota in place each year. The quota for each semester is half of the total number of students enrolled in PSYC4091.
The aim of this course is to enable students to critically apply psychological knowledge to workplace contexts. Participation requires the completion of a period of approved work-integrated learning, in the form of work placement, to be conducted in an organisation that deals with issues relevant to psychology. This course also aims to promote the translation of psychological knowledge into effective practice through on-campus workshops and assessment designed to help students critically reflect on their learning and workplace performance. Enrolment is required two weeks prior to the start of semester to ensure that a suitable placement can be arranged. Enrolment after this date will only be allowed with approval, please contact honours.psychology@enquire.uq.edu.au for further information.
This course has been developed to enable students to critically apply knowledge from their psychology degree to workplace contexts. Participation in this course requires the completion of a period of approved work-integrated-learning, in the form of work placement, to be conducted in an organisation that deals with issues relevant to psychology. This course will draw upon knowledge and skills developed throughout theﾠundergraduate degree program and will use course workshops to help students develop skills to critically reflect on their learning and workplace performance.ﾠ
Course requirements
Restrictions
Restricted to students in the BPsySc(Hons), BA(Hons), BSc(Hons) enrolled in PSYC4091 Team Research Thesis.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this unit is enable students to develop their work-literacy and work-readiness, by providing opportunities to apply psychological knowledge toﾠworkplace contexts.
Through this course students will:
1.ﾠﾠﾠﾠ Gain a minimum of 60 hours of work-integrated learning placement in an applied psychology setting
2.ﾠﾠﾠﾠ Develop skills necessary to critically reflect on their learning and professional skills, assisted by on-campus workshops and assessment activities
3.ﾠﾠﾠﾠ Develop an understanding of employment options in applied psychology, and key employability skills
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate your ability to engage with an organisation and critically evaluate the literature on a social, organisational, or clinical issue being addressed within that organisation.
LO2.
Demonstrate your ability to apply evidence-based principles from psychology, critical thinking and problem solving to address applied problems in a work context.
LO3.
Demonstrate effective written and interpersonal communication skills and your ability to work effectively in professional settings.
LO4.
Demonstrate ability to monitor and manage your learning in a work context.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Placement timesheet (minimum 60 hrs of placement)
|
Pass/Fail(must be signed by placement supervisor) |
24/02/2025 - 29/05/2025 |
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Workshop participation
|
Pass/Fail |
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025 |
| Reflection | Reflective journal | 30% four journal entires each worth 7.5% |
24/02/2025 - 29/05/2025 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Pre-placement portfolio | 40% |
2/04/2025 2:00 pm |
| Role play/ Simulation | Mock Interview | 25% |
20/05/2025 2:00 pm |
| Presentation | Placement Summary Poster | 5% |
26/05/2025
Week 13 Monday 15:00 - 18:00 |
| Performance | Work placement evaluation | Pass/Fail (Verified by placement supervisor) |
29/05/2025 2:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Placement timesheet (minimum 60 hrs of placement)
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Pass/Fail(must be signed by placement supervisor)
- Due date
24/02/2025 - 29/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
A minimum of 60 hrs (recommended one day per week for ~8 weeks) of supervised and approved work placement must be accumulated throughout the semester. Students must log hours and have these verified by their placement supervisor.
Hurdle requirements
This assessment must be passed to pass the courseSubmission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Workshop participation
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
Attendance at course workshops is compulsory. Students must attend the workshops and must participate in workshop activities to successfully pass this course. For students who demonstrate that they are unable to attend the workshop live, they must contact the course co-ordinator in advance, and demonstrate that they have viewed the recordings of the workshop content.
Hurdle requirements
Attendance is compulsory to pass the courseSubmission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Reflective journal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 30% four journal entires each worth 7.5%
- Due date
24/02/2025 - 29/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
A key aim of this course to encourage students to critically reflect on and monitor their work performance and to link this to their undergraduate training in psychology. In completing the reflective journals students will identify work-related activities undertaken and clearly show how the student's skill and knowledge base (from their psychology courses) was used to successfully complete the tasks. Students will also identify gaps in their knowledge or challenges they experienced during placement, and identify concrete plans/strategies for better approaching/resolving the problem on their next day of placement. Students will complete four (4) reflections.
Reflections should be submitted throughout the semester so that feedback can be provided on progress. It is recommended you start early and space out your reflections across your placement and engage with the feedback we provide on your reflection prior to submitting your next reflection.
Submission guidelines
Via eportfolio/blackboard. NOTE: You will no longer receive an automatic submission receipt from Turnitin confirming your assignment has been received. You should download a copy of the digital receipt from the Assignment Dashboard and keep this as a record.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Pre-placement portfolio
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
2/04/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each student will complete a pre-placement portfolio, designed to prepare them for placement. This has two components;
(1) Placement contract: In which students meet with their placement supervisors to negotiate the terms of their placement (including expectations of dress code, attendance days, and tasks). Students are asked to identify three learning goals for their placement.
(2) Critical literature review: Students will provide a review of the aims and goals of their placement organisation and identify a social/organisational/health/policy/or clinical issues related to their organisation’s goals. Students will then review current literature related to the identified issue (1200 words).
Submission guidelines
via blackboard/ePortfolio. NOTE: You will no longer receive an automatic submission receipt from Turnitin confirming your assignment has been received. You should download a copy of the digital receipt from the Assignment Dashboard and keep this as a record.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Mock Interview
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
20/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each student must complete a Mock interview in which students will use the skills developed in workshops, combined with their reflective exercises to prepare a video response to a series of behavioural (job) interview questions.
Submission guidelines
via ePortfolio and blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
For full details please review the School of Psychology Student Guidelines - Extensions and Deferred quiz/exam.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Placement Summary Poster
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
26/05/2025
Week 13 Monday 15:00 - 18:00
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students will prepare and present a poster summarising their placement experience. The poster will include details about the student's worksite, its role and focus, and as well as the student's activities and professional development. The poster will be presented during the final course workshop.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Work placement evaluation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Performance
- Weight
- Pass/Fail (Verified by placement supervisor)
- Due date
29/05/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students' placement performance will be evaluated by their placement supervisor at the completion of placement. Supervisors will complete a short post-placement survey on student performance.
Submission guidelines
via ePortfolio
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
To obtain a passing grade in this course, students must pass the compulsory items as listed in the Assessment details.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
Additional assessment information
Supplementary assessment will only be available to students who receive a grade of 3 due to having failed the Pre-placement portfolio and/or mock interview pieces of assessment.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
O-week (17 Feb - 23 Feb) |
Workshop |
O-Week: Placement opportunities & matching In this orientation session, you will learn about the placement opportunities available this semester and how placement matching will be coordinated including how to select placements and prepare for your placement interview. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Workshop |
W1: Preparing for placement In this workshop you students will be provided with an overview of how to manage their placement, professional workplace behaviour, and an introduction to reflective practice and critical thinking skills (compulsory) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Workshop |
W2: Employer expectations and workplace culture In this workshop students will learn how to assess their employability strengths and weakness as well as learn strategies for dealing with them in the workplace. The practical skills developed in this workshop will help students network and make the most of their placement experience (compulsory) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Workshop |
W6: Job search strategies and articulating your skills In this workshop students will develop strategies for job seeking and develop skills for understanding and articulating their professional skills and experiences in the context of interviewing for a job (compulsory) Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Workshop |
W7: Placement debrief and professional connections In this workshop, students will learn how to wrap up and initiate the evaluation of their placement, prepare for the poster presentation, and develop skills for building professional connections related to the poster convention (compulsory) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Workshop |
W13: Placement summaries (presentations) In this workshop, students will present a poster related to their placement experience. The poster will provide background and context to the student's work placement to encourage sharing of information between students regarding careers in psychology (compulsory) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: