Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - )
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 32
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Psychology School
The purpose of the professional doctorate in psychology is to provide advanced postgraduate research training in Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology or Clinical Psychology and Clinical Geropsychology.
The research component of the Doctor of Psychology program aims to foster the development of independent research skills that make a substantial contribution to the discipline, which will be demonstrated by the submission of a research dissertation.
The dissertation entails enrolment in a dissertation course over 6 semesters.ﾠ Students will enrol in a combination of either PYSC8005 (4 units) or PSYC8010 (8 units) over 6 semesters.ﾠ The standard sequence is for students to enrol in a combination of PSYC8005 Dissertation - In progressﾠand PSYC8010 Dissertation - In progress over 5 semesters, with enrolment in PSYC8005 Dissertation in the 6th semester when thesis submission will occur.ﾠ
The dissertation should be of sufficient depth and scope to reflect the research skills that are described by the Australian Qualification Framework as being necessary for a program at a Level 10 Doctoral Degree:
- Critical reflection, synthesis and evaluation
- Use of research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice
- Dissemination and promotion of new insights to peers and the community
- Generation of original knowledge and understanding
ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
This course will contribute to the submission of a final dissertation for external examination. Progression through each of the 6 semesters of enrolment will be determined by a series of milestones that will be need to attained each semester for progression to the next enrolment in the PSYC8005/PSYC8010 course.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Registration with Psychology Board of Australia
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
PSYC8011, PSYC8012
Restrictions
Doctor of Psychology students only
Course contact
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to foster the development of independent research skills that make a substantial contribution to the discipline, which will be demonstrated by the submission of a research dissertation. The dissertation willﾠprovide a contribution to knowledge with a level of originality consistent with a research higher degree.ﾠIt should also reveal a capacity to relate the research topic to the broader framework of knowledge in the disciplinary area integrating a practice based model.ﾠThe dissertation will be on a topic that is negotiated with the supervisor and approved by the Director of Clinical Programs.ﾠ The dissertation should have a clinical psychology, clinical psychology andﾠgeropsychology,ﾠor clinical neuropsychology and clinical psychologyﾠorientation depending on the particular stream undertaken.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Evaluate, critically review, and synthesise the literature and knowledge base in the field of study
LO2.
Design and implement a research project with the guidance of a supervisor
LO3.
Use research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice
LO4.
Communicate the results of the study effectively through the preparation and submission of the written thesis
LO5.
Disseminate and promote new insights to peers and the community
LO6.
Design, conduct, and report research in a manner consistent with relevant ethical guidelines
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis | Confirmation Milestone (completed Yr2,Sem 2) | Mandatory |
The confirmation milestone must be completed by the last day of teaching (Wk 13) in the semester. |
| Thesis | Mid-Dissertation Milestone (completed Yr3,Sem 2) | Mandatory |
The mid-dissert milestone must be completed by the last day of teaching (wk 13) in the semester. |
| Thesis | DPsych Dissertation | 100% |
The dissertation is due for submission in the 6th semester of consecutive enrolment |
Assessment details
Confirmation Milestone (completed Yr2,Sem 2)
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- Mandatory
- Due date
The confirmation milestone must be completed by the last day of teaching (Wk 13) in the semester.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L06
Task description
The Confirmation Milestone is undertaken in Semester 2 of Year 2 of standard enrolment in the Dissertation course. It consists of the following:
1) preparation of a 10 pp. (excluding references and appendices) document, uploaded into the Turnitin Folder of the Blackboard Community website [Doctor of Psychology Dissertation].
2) a 20-minute presentation of your research plan and progress to date, with 10 minutes for questions, followed by a 30-minute interview with the course coordinator, supervisor and reader.
The confirmation document will have two readers: the Course Coordinator and a second reader who will be approached by the supervisor for his/her agreement to review the document and their name provided with the confirmation document when it is submitted. The confirmation document will need to be uploaded 2 weeks before the scheduled interview times to allow the coordinator and readers time to review.
After completing the different components of the milestone process, a report will be sent by the Course Coordinator to the supervisor for signature by him/her and the student. The completed report is to be uploaded by the student through Turnitin in the Assessment Folder on the Blackboard site and the Course Coordinator will approve the form AFTER uploading.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Mid-Dissertation Milestone (completed Yr3,Sem 2)
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- Mandatory
- Due date
The mid-dissert milestone must be completed by the last day of teaching (wk 13) in the semester.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L06
Task description
The mid-dissertation review is undertaken in Semester 2 of Year 3 of standard enrolment in the Dissertation course. There are three components to the mid-dissertation review:
• written work;
• a brief report summarising progress against the timeline agreed to at confirmation, and set of goals and plan of work for the period leading up to dissertation review; and
• an interview.
The specific requirements for the written work will vary on a case by case basis, depending on the nature of the project. Each student should negotiate the requirements with the advisory team and the Course Coordinator (if further advice is needed). For example, the written work might take the form of a systematic literature review, study protocol, methods section, data analytic strategy, or a draft manuscript for publication. Whatever the precise form of the written work it must demonstrate production of work at a level consistent with that expected of a Level 10 degree, including demonstrated knowledge of relevant background research, critical analysis of evidence, and clear exposition of research conducted by the student.
The panel will assess whether:
• Satisfactory progress has been made since confirmation;
• The project remains suitable for a Level 10 dissertation;
• The student is capable of completing DPsych level work;
• The dissertation promises to be completed within the expected period of enrolment within existing resources;
• There are any factors delaying progress; and
• The advisory relationship is adequate and effective.
This assessment will be made on the basis of the written work and the interview
After completing the different components of the milestone process, a report will be sent by the Course Coordinator to the supervisor and student for their signatures. The completed report is to be uploaded by the student to Turnitin in the Assessment Folder on the Blackboard site and the Course Coordinator will approve the form AFTER uploading.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
DPsych Dissertation
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- 100%
- Due date
The dissertation is due for submission in the 6th semester of consecutive enrolment
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The Dissertation counts for half of the course (32 out of 64 units). The dissertation should be of sufficient depth and scope to reflect the research skills that are described by the Australian Qualification Framework as being necessary for a program at a Level 10 Doctoral Degree. The dissertation can take the form of a traditional research-only thesis, or it can be in the form of a substantial paper or series of papers (ready for submission or submitted), with a general Introduction and a unifying Discussion. The form of the dissertation should be discussed and agreed with the supervisor.
The usual minimum length of the dissertation is 30,000 words and the maximum length should not exceed 50,000 words, excluding Tables, Figures, References, and Appendices. The writing must conform to the most current American Psychological Association style requirements.
The dissertation will be submitted when enrolled in PSYC8005/PSYC8010 Dissertation and is the formal assessment of 6 semesters of enrolment in the dissertation courses and should demonstrate the reporting of a substantial piece of original research that has been conducted by the candidate for the prescribed period under proper academic supervision in a research environment. By the end of the DP candidature, the candidate should be capable of independently conceiving, designing, carrying out and reporting a major research project.
Further information on the Dissertation courses including dissertation preparation and submission requirements can be found on the Blackboard Community [Doctor of Psychology Dissertation] website.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: The final dissertation will be graded using the following criteria: A pass is awarded on the basis of reports from two independent markers external to the University of Queensland.ﾠ A pass can be awarded under the following conditions: Pass as is Pass subject to minor changes approved by Director of Clinical programs Pass subject to changes or defence of current passages approved by Director of Clinical programs Revise and resubmit for examination |
| F |
Course grade description: A fail is assigned to the dissertation under the following conditions: Thesis not submitted Thesis judged by the external markers to be unsatisfactory The candidate is unable to satisfy the requirements of the external markers after revision and resubmission of the dissertation. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Supplementary assessment will not be available in this course because assessment is based on an individual dissertation completed over the period of a 6-semesters course of enrolment.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Not Timetabled |
Dissertation The candidate will design and plan the research and its timelines, and undertake the research with the guidance of a supervisor, in consideration of the timing of the relevant milestone and submission Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
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.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: