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Master of Clinical Neuropsychology

CLNE19MTV1

Faculty:
Faculty of Human Sciences
Award:
Master of Clinical Neuropsychology (MClinNeuro)
Admission Requirement:
• Recent APAC accredited Australian level 8 qualification in psychology (with first class or second class honours division one) or recognised equivalent
• Eligibility for provisional or full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia
Required Supporting Documents:
• Supplementary application form
• Two referee reports
• An interview is also required
• Criminal Record Check
• Working with Children Check
English Language Proficiency:
As per the mandatory registration standards, you may satisfy the English language requirements if you have completed:
• at least two years of secondary education that were taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, and
• tertiary qualifications – that support your eligibility for registration under national law – that were taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country
OR
• other pathways as specified by AHPRA
OR
• attainment of an Academic IELTS or equivalent of 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in each band, or equivalent
For more information visit www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Standards-and-Guidelines/Registration-Standards.aspx
Study Mode:
Full-time, Part-time
Attendance Mode:
Internal
Candidature Length:
Full-time: 2 years
Commencement:
North Ryde — Session 1 (25 February 2019)
Volume of Learning:
Equivalent to 2 years
General requirements:
Minimum number of credit points at 800 level or above 64
Completion of other specific minimum requirements as set out below

In order to graduate students must ensure that they have satisfied all of the general requirements of the award.

Specific minimum requirements:

Credit points

800 level

Required
4
Research Design and Evaluation (4)
 
Required
4
Developmental Neuropsychology (4)
 
Required
4
Neuropsychological Disorders (4)
 
Required
4
Neuropsychopharmacology (4)
 
Required
4
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation and Intervention (4)
 
Required
4
Supervised Practical Placement I (4)
 
Required
4
Advanced Evidence-Based Neuropsychological Assessment (4)
 
Required
4
Neuroanatomy for Neuropsychologists (4)
 
Required
4
Supervised Practical Placement 2 (4)
 
Required
4
Supervised Practical Placement 3 (4)
 
Required
4
Supervised Practical Placement 4 (4)
 
Required
4
Advanced Neuropsychological Assessment (4)
 
Required
4
Neuropsychological Practice (4)
 
Required
4
Clinical Neuropsychology Research Proposal (4)
 
Required
4
Clinical Neuropsychology Dissertation I (4)
 
Required
4
Clinical Neuropsychology Dissertation II (4)
 

TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM

64
AQF Level Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree
CRICOS Code 027374C
Overview and Aims of the Program The Master of Clinical Neuropsychology Program includes coursework units which contain a blend of theory and practice together with 1,000 hours of supervised practice and a research dissertation. Students completing this course typically work as clinical neuropsychologists in public or private hospitals and/or in private practice. Hospital/clinic settings encompass neurological, psychiatric, geriatric, paediatric, drug/alcohol, forensic, and rehabilitation disciplines, where the neuropsychologist may engage in assessment and contribute to therapeutic/management programs.

Program Aims: The Program aims are to develop graduates who:
• can integrate theory into ethical practice as a clinical neuropsychologist
• can demonstrate the skills required for the full range of neuropsychological practice
• can undertake independent research in clinical neuropsychology
• can demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning in the advanced practice of neuropsychology
• can communicate effectively and work collaboratively with clinical teams and with clients.
Graduate Capabilities

The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:

Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative


Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible

Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning

Program Learning Outcomes By the end of this program it is anticipated that students should be able to:
1. apply their neuropsychological knowledge and scholarly understanding to determine client needs and design and implement evidence-based interventions (K, T, P, C, E, J)
2. undertake and evaluate professional projects and capstone practice experiences by way of systematic enquiry and the application of research skills and learning (K, T, P, C, E, J)
3. generate and evaluate new, professionally-oriented knowledge through the development of higher level critical thinking skills (K, T, P, C, E, J)
4. communicate effectively across a wide range of client groups, colleagues and other professionals, using a variety of formats to function empathically within and across cultures and life stages (K, T, P, C, E, J)
5. demonstrate the ability to practise according to professional standards and the Psychology Board of Australia’s code of ethics through their awareness of the legislative frameworks relevant to clinical neuropsychologists (K, T, P, C, E, J)
6. demonstrate the entry-level capabilities required of practising clinical neuropsychologists with the professional and personal discernment for assessing continuous development needs (K, T, P, C, E, J).
Learning and Teaching Methods Central to the pedagogical philosophy of this program is that students learn best when they are deeply engaged with the content. Accordingly, learning and teaching methods are designed to meet the individual unit learning outcomes and to foster the acquisition of neuropsychological knowledge and skills, along with developing critical thinking and problem solving abilities. Learning and teaching methods are also tailored to assist in the development of the generic professional and personal attributes required for delivery of neuropsychological interventions, with due regard for ethical practice.

Specific methods include:
• lectures
• tutorials
• practical skill development classes
• advanced workshops
• research project development and implementation, as well as
• integrated, practice-education opportunities.
Assessment Assessment tasks are varied to match the knowledge, skills and personal attributes required for a clinical neuropsychologist, along with meeting Macquarie University graduate capabilities and the AQF Masters requirements. At the Unit level, there is constructive alignment between the specific learning outcomes and assessment tasks. Across the program, the following assessment tasks are used:
• clinical assessment and viva examinations to assess neuropsychological clinical skills and reasoning (these are broad diagnostic skills required of all psychologists in practice)
• psychometric reports
• seminar presentations
• research proposals
• research reports in the format of journal submissions
• conference presentations
• reflective case reports
• professional casebooks
• written assignments.
Recognition of Prior Learning

Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.


Information can be found at: https://mq.edu.au/rpl

Support for Learning

Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.

Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/

Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/wellbeing

Program Standards and Quality

The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders.

Graduate Destinations and Employability Graduates will be eligible to apply to register as a psychologist on completion of the program. Graduates will need to meet the Psychology Board of Australia's Registration Standards (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). These standards include English language skill and an assessment of criminal history. Meeting standards may require completion of a national examination. Graduates will be well prepared to pursue a career as a psychologist in a wide range of settings, including both the private and public sectors. A summary of the types of work that neuropsychologists engage in can be found at www.psychology.org.au/community/specialist/clinicalneuro/
Assessment Regulations

This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy.

Fitness to Practice Requirements Students undertaking this program and its associated placements are required to demonstrate that they are fit to practice and compliant with these requirements. Students need to demonstrate that they are able to practice safely and properly throughout their program and placements to meet core learning outcomes.

Students identified at risk of not meeting Fitness to Practice Requirements will be notified, provided with support and monitored to assist them in achieving the program and/or placement requirements.

Students who fail to meet Fitness to Practice requirements will be permanently excluded from the program.
Accreditation This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
Grade of ACCREDITATION WITHOUT CONDITIONS awarded by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or program necessary for a student to successfully achieve the core learning outcomes of a course or program. Students must meet the inherent requirements to complete their Macquarie University course or program.

Inherent requirements for Macquarie University programs fall under the following categories:

Physical: The physical inherent requirement is to have the physical capabilities to safely and effectively perform the activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.

Cognition: The inherent requirement for cognition is possessing the intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative capabilities to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.

Communication: The inherent requirement for communication is the capacity to communicate information, thoughts and ideas through a variety of mediums and with a range of audiences.

Behavioural: The behavioural inherent requirement is the capacity to sustain appropriate behaviour over the duration of units of study to engage in activities necessary to undertake the learning activities and achieve the learning outcomes of an award.

For more information see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/inherent-requirements



2019 Unit Information

When offered:
S1 Day
Prerequisites:
Permission of Executive Dean of Faculty
Corequisites:
None
NCCWs:
HSC Chinese, CHN113, CHN148