Program Outline

The proposed program will provide a professional qualification for those who wish to work as psychologists within the applied health field. In particular, the aim of the program is to produce health psychologists who can apply psychological research and methods to the prevention and management of disease and illness; the promotion and maintenance of health; the identification of psychological factors contributing to illness; and the improvement of the health care system and health policy.

Successful completion of the program will enable graduates with an advanced level of training in health psychology to meet full registration of the South Australian Registration Board; to meet entry requirements to the Australian Psychological Society (APS) as a full member; to meet entry requirements to the College of Health Psychologists of the APS; and to meet the demand of the private and public sectors concerned with health delivery.

The program will comprise the following components: three supervised placements (two in health promotion and one in clinical health psychology) in a variety of settings in government and non-government organisations; coursework; a research thesis in the form of a literature review; and a research article of a specified length.

Entry is available to graduates with a good Honours degree in Psychology comprising of a minimum of Second Class, Division A Honours and an individually-conducted research project carrying 33% or more of the years work. Selection procedures depend on academic results, referee reports and a structured interview conducted by a panel. There is usually very strong competition for the limited number of places available.

Program Structure

This program commences in late January of the first year of study. Students enroled in full-time study will normally complete eight courses of study and one placement during the first year and two further placements and the research project during the second year. Placements consist of one in health promotion and two in clinical health psychology. The research thesis is in the form of a literature review and a research article of a specified length.

Admission Information

Domestic applicants

Not a domestic applicant?

SATAC Code	3CM087
Annual tuition fees	Commonwealth-supported place: $5,310
Mid-year entry?	No
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Graduate entry only.

Applicants must have a four-year qualification in Psychology (including Honours) that meets the standards set out by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. All candidates are required to provide two referee reports, details of relevant work experience and details of any published works. Invitations to attend an interview will be extended based on a combination of academic performance and this additional information.

Additional Entry Requirements

All candidates must refer to the School of Psychology website (www.adelaide.edu.au/psychology) for details regarding submission of additional information. All additional information and reports must be completed and returned to the School of Psychology (not SATAC) by 13 November 2009.

Students are required to have a police clearance check completed prior to commencing the program. The National Police Certificate application form can be found at www.police.sa.gov.au/sapol/home.jsp

How to Apply

SATAC Code: 3CM087

Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission

International applicants

Not an international applicant?

IELTS Total	6.5 [more info]
Annual tuition fees	International student place: $25,200
Mid-year entry?	No
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Graduate entry only

Prerequisites

Australian Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent as approvfed by the Australian Psychological Society

Equivalent Scores

IELTS Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing

6.5 6 6 6 6

Additional Entry Requirements

Also required at time of application: two referee reports

How to Apply

Application information for international students

Important application deadlines for international students

International applicants applying with Australian year 12 results

Not an international applicant applying with Australian year 12 results?

Annual tuition fees	International student place: $25,200
Mid-year entry?	No
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Graduate entry only

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

First Year

Summer Semester

• PSYCHOL 7230  Evidence-based Practice (3 units)
• PSYCHOL 7231  Interviewing and Intervention (3 units)

Semester 1

• PSYCHOL 7232  Psychological Assessment (3 units)
• PSYCHOL 7233  Abnormal Psychology (3 units)
• PUB HLTH 7075  Introduction to Epidemiology (3 units)
• PUB HLTH 7076  Public Health Intervention (3 units) 

Semester 2

• PSYCHOL 7234  Health Psychology (3 units)
• PSYCHOL 7241  Placement I (3 units)

Second Year

Semester 1

• PSYCHOL 7242  Placement II (6 units)
• PSYCHOL 7244A  Research Project in Health Psychology Part 1 (6 units)

Semester 2

• PSYCHOL 7243  Placement III (6 units)
• PSYCHOL 7244B  Research Project in Health Psychology Part 2 (6 units)

Career Opportunities

Health Psychologists specialise in understanding the relationships between psychological factors and health and illness.  Health Psychologists practice in two main areas: health promotion and clinical health.

Health promotion

• Development and provision of programs that assist with the prevention of illnesses such as heart attacks, stroke, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, smoking-related-illness and dietary-related problems.
• Linking up with other health professionals to understand what behaviours might be contributing to illness and how they might be changed e.g. understanding why some people overeat or eat a high-fat diet.
• Identifying how behaviour is linked with the development of disease and injury.
• Designing public health education programs in areas such as exercise and alcohol, cigarette and drug consumption e.g. 'SunSmart', 'Life. Be in it'.
• Determining the distribution of disease and the health needs of communities within Australia.
• Working with community members to improve their health.

 Clinical health

• Developing therapy and education programs to help people cope with health issues such as weight management, cancer and heart health.
• Using psychological treatment for problems that often accompany ill health and injury, such as anxiety, depression, pain, addiction, sleep and eating problems.
• Understanding how psychological factors such as stress, depression and anxiety might be contributing to illness.
• Helping people with the self-management of chronic illness.
• Understanding how people cope with diagnosis and medical treatment of acute health problems and how they obtain medical care.
• Understanding how people cope with terminal illness, including the impact of grief, bereavement, death and dying.
• Identifying how the relationship between health professionals, such as doctors, nurses and psychologists, and their patients can influence how well they recover from illness and injury.
• Helping people cope with trauma, disability and rehabilitation

Potential careers

Psychologist

Professional Accreditation

This program provides graduates with the tertiary-level education required to be eligible for registration as a Psychologist in South Australia and membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Health Psychologists.

Further Information

Useful Links

• School of Psychology
• Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
• Australian Psychological Society
• Australian JobSearch
• Postgraduate Scholarships