Teaching Tips from Australia and New Zealand

Shirley MorrisseyJacky CranneyLynne RobertsNatalie Gasson

Neville BlamfieldLucy Zinkiewicz

International Congress of Psychology Education,

August 4 2014

Australia 23.5 m, New Zealand 4.4m

School of Applied Psychology: Griffith University

Psychology Education and Training in Australia

Shirley MorrisseySchool of Applied Psychology

Griffith University (Gold Coast)Phone: 07 55528524

Email: s.morrissey@griffith.edu.au

International Congress of Psychology Education,

August 4 2014

Psychology Education and Training in Australia

• Based on the scientist-practitioner model• Fairly broad undergraduate degree with focus on

discipline knowledge in first 3 years and then increasing application and professional training from 4th-8th

• Currently does not align well with NZ model, US model, UK model or Europsy!

• State of flux – currently under review

Psychology Education and Training in Australia

• Approximately 40 Higher Education providers for psychology degrees (includes universities and private HE providers).

• Psychology Programs are accredited by APAC, the Psychology Accreditation Council of Australia

Accreditation Standards for study within higher education providers:

• undergraduate programs (3 year Bachelors degrees)• 4th year programs (graduate diploma or honours

progams)• 5th year programs (Diploma in Professional Practice)• 5 & 6th year programs (Professional Masters)• 5, 6, & 7th year progams (Professional Doctorate)• (5,6, &7th year programs PhD – research only)• 5, 6, 7, & 8th year programs (combined Professional

Masters/Phd)

Professional postgraduate programs leading to an area of practice endorsement

• Clinical neuropsychology• Clinical psychology• Community psychology• Counselling psychology• Educational and developmental psychology• Forensic psychology• Health psychology • Organisational psychology• Sport Psychology

Accreditation Standards for training outside of higher education providers

• under the management of the Psychology Board of Australia:– + 2 years of supervised practice following 4th year– + 1 year of supervised practice following 5th year(both leading to general registration as a psychologist with the psychology board of Australia after National Examination)- + 2 years of supervised practice following Masters

degree +1 year following Doctorate degree to enable area of practice endorsement (speciality area or practice).

Why are we in a state of flux

• Drivers within the education and training system :– Incredible demand for psychology programs at

undergrad and postgrad level– Cost of postgraduate education and limited places

available– Range/variety of professional programs decreasing– Dissatisfied graduates from 3 year Bachelors programs

and 4 year Honours /Graduate diploma programs

Why are we in a state of flux continued

• Drivers outside of the education and training system:– Australian Qualifications Framework– Employers of psychology graduates (perception of not

being ‘fit for work’ – not sufficient application of psychology in UG programs)

– Differential funding for professional psychology practice

– Demand for more health workers (particularly mental health workers – not necessarily clinical psychologists)

Current status of Bachelors degrees in psychology

• Variety of degrees (single to double degrees, majors)• Less than 50% psychology content required by APAC• No work integrated learning required• Very little application of psychology required• Very little practical skills training required (eg.,

interpersonal, or interviewing skills)• No counselling skills training required• Very, very strong focus on discipline knowledge and

research training

What can psychology graduates do with a 3 year degree in psychology in Australia?

Mental health support workerYouth workerCommunity development officerMigrant support workerMarket researcherTelephone counsellorEmployment/recruitment officer

Government departments Department Employment, Training, & Youth AffairsFamilies, Youth & Community CareCorrective ServicesDisability ServicesFurther study: Social Work, Education, Psychology Hons

School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus

What can psychology graduates do with a 4 year degree in psychology?

• After 4 years– Work in a wide range of positions – Professional psychologist (generalist -supervision

training required)– Postgraduate professional psychology training

(leading to endorsed psychologist – area of speciality)

– PhD (leading to academic/research psychologist positions)

School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus

What sort of employment would lead to registration status?

– Corporations - consulting firms, market research companies, recruitment firms, test development corporations

– Education - universities, schools, career services

– Government departments – Health and welfare services –

hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, substance abuse services, youth services

– Community agencies

– Police force, law courts and prisons

– Counselling services – Defence forces – Non-profit organisations

and professional associations

– Research institutions – Training and development

services

But how prepared are they for this type of work?How much are they prepared for life?How psychologically literate are they?

It varies!

Expectation of Attributes of Bachelors and Honours graduates

• Psychology Graduate Attributes (Cranney 2011)– Graduate Attribute 1:

• Core knowledge and understanding of psychology– Graduate Attribute 2:

• Research methods in psychology– Graduate Attribute 3:

• Critical thinking skills– Graduate Attribute 4:

• Values, research and professional ethics– Graduate Attribute 5:

• Communication skills– Graduate Attribute 6:

• Learning and the application of psychology

What changes have been recommended?

• Increased psychology content in UG degree• Increased application in undergraduate degree• Increased focus on graduate attributes and employability• Greater emphasis on psychological literacy as an outcome• Opportunities for work integrated learning• Opportunities for greater flexibility for higher education providers• Opportunities for greater diversity in education and training• Improved alignment with Europsy and UK models of education and

training

Where are we up to

• 2nd consultation draft of APAC Standards just closed

• AOPE Standards almost finalised• Combined Standards to be progressed• More stakeholder feedback over next 6-12

monthsWatch this space!

Innovative approaches and tips from Australia and NZ

• Jacky Cranney (UNSW)• Lynne Roberts (Curtin University)• Natalie Gasson (Curtin University)• Neville Blampfield (Canterbury University, NZ)• Lucy Zinkiewicz (Deakin University)