Psychology (Forensic) - 1405
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Contact: School of Psychology
Campus: Sydney
Career: Research
Typical Duration: 4 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 12
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 144
Award(s):
Master of Psychology (Forensic) (Specialisation)
Doctor of Philosophy (Research)
View program information for previous years
Program Description
Note: 144 UOC is the PhD component only.
The combined Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Forensic) degree program has an emphasis on research training in forensic fields. The combined degree program requires a minimum of four full-time years to complete, and offers advanced training in research skills that are particularly relevant to forensic areas.
It is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as the fifth and sixth years of study leading to full membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and registration as a psychologist with the national Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). After completing a further 1.5 years of full-time equivalent supervised practice, graduates of the program are eligible to apply for endorsement as a Forensic Psychologist and for full membership of the APS College of Forensic Psychologists.
The combined Doctor of Philosophy/Master of Psychology (Forensic) degree program has an emphasis on research training in forensic fields. The combined degree program requires a minimum of four full-time years to complete, and offers advanced training in research skills that are particularly relevant to forensic areas.
It is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as the fifth and sixth years of study leading to full membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and registration as a psychologist with the national Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). After completing a further 1.5 years of full-time equivalent supervised practice, graduates of the program are eligible to apply for endorsement as a Forensic Psychologist and for full membership of the APS College of Forensic Psychologists.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree encourages initiative and originality in research. Students will make a significant contribution to knowledge in their field and will be competent to carry out research in their chosen area.
Program Structure
The combined program consists of three components which are compulsory:
(1) a research thesis (PhD)
(2) a coursework component (MPsychol(For))
(3) 1000 hours of supervised placement experience
Stage 1
(1) a research thesis (PhD)
(2) a coursework component (MPsychol(For))
(3) 1000 hours of supervised placement experience
Stage 1
- LAWS9800 Law for Psychologists 1 (6 UOC) or LAWS9810 Law for Psychologists 2 (6 UOC)*
Stage 2
- LAWS9800 Law for Psychologists 1 (6 UOC) or LAWS9810 Law for Psychologists 2 (6 UOC)*
Stage 3
Stage 4
*LAWS9800 and LAWS9810 are offered in alternate years. Students can complete these two courses in any order and should enrol in which ever is offered at the first opportunity.
Academic Rules
- Each professional placement in the program is linked to a Professional and Ethical Practice (PEP) course. Until the placement has been successfully completed, a PE grade will be applied to the PEP course. If the placement is not completed to a satisfactory standard, or placement requirements have not been met (as determined by both the Placement Coordinator and Program Director), a UF grade will be applied to the PEP course. Failure to meet placement requirements and successfully complete the placement will lead to failure of the PEP course. No hours from an unsatisfactory placement will count towards the minimum 1000 hours of supervised practical placement experience required for completion of the program.
- Should a student fail a course*, approval to enrol in the failed course again will be at the discretion of the Program Director (and Placement Coordinator, in the case of PEP courses)^. Alternatively, the Program Director will recommend that the student withdraw from the Combined PhD/Master of Psychology program and be automatically transferred into the stand-alone Doctor of Philosophy program (Program Code 1400).
* Any of the 12 courses required for the Master of Psychology component of the program, including any of the four PEP courses.
^ In Australia, the psychology profession is regulated by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act as overseen by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The School of Psychology is responsible for adhering to federally legislated professional and accreditation standards for training provisionally registered psychologists in full compliance with the APS Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines. Master of Psychology students, as provisionally registered psychologists, are expected to display the competencies, professionalism and reputable behaviours the discipline demands. In making their recommendation, the Program Director will consider these factors not simply from an academic standpoint, but as the discipline's chief authority on such professional and ethical matters within the program.
Should a student disagree with a recommendation made by the Program Director, their avenue of appeal will be to the Head of School and/or School Board.
^ In Australia, the psychology profession is regulated by the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act as overseen by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). The School of Psychology is responsible for adhering to federally legislated professional and accreditation standards for training provisionally registered psychologists in full compliance with the APS Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines. Master of Psychology students, as provisionally registered psychologists, are expected to display the competencies, professionalism and reputable behaviours the discipline demands. In making their recommendation, the Program Director will consider these factors not simply from an academic standpoint, but as the discipline's chief authority on such professional and ethical matters within the program.
Should a student disagree with a recommendation made by the Program Director, their avenue of appeal will be to the Head of School and/or School Board.
Please refer to the following website for more information: Conditions for the Award of Degrees (Faculty of Science)
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: UNSW Fee Website.
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements are (1) completion of an accredited four-year Bachelor degree in psychology (with First Class Honours) from UNSW, or equivalent from another APAC-recognised university, and (2) the availability of adequate supervision and research infrastructure.
Psychology qualifications obtained outside of Australia must contain a significant research thesis component, and be assessed as the equivalent of an Australian four-year sequence in psychology (including Honours) by the APS.
UNSW English Language Requirements can be found here, however all Combined PhD/Master of Psychology students must meet registration standards developed by both the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and PsyBA in order to register as provisional psychologists. Those not registered as provisional psychologists cannot undertake professional practice, a compulsory component of all Combined programs, as they are not permitted to have any client contact.
Therefore, all applicants, regardless of current residency or citizenship status, should familiarise themselves with the PsyBA registration standards here, and AHPRA’s new standards on English language skills and criminal history.
As the number of places available each year is limited, entry into the program is competitive. In addition to availability of adequate supervision and research infrastructure, selection is based on academic qualifications for the program, two referee reports, and performance at an interview. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview.
Applicants should refer to both the School of Psychology’s How to Apply page, and Graduate Research School's website for more detail about the application procedure and requirements.
Psychology qualifications obtained outside of Australia must contain a significant research thesis component, and be assessed as the equivalent of an Australian four-year sequence in psychology (including Honours) by the APS.
UNSW English Language Requirements can be found here, however all Combined PhD/Master of Psychology students must meet registration standards developed by both the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and PsyBA in order to register as provisional psychologists. Those not registered as provisional psychologists cannot undertake professional practice, a compulsory component of all Combined programs, as they are not permitted to have any client contact.
Therefore, all applicants, regardless of current residency or citizenship status, should familiarise themselves with the PsyBA registration standards here, and AHPRA’s new standards on English language skills and criminal history.
As the number of places available each year is limited, entry into the program is competitive. In addition to availability of adequate supervision and research infrastructure, selection is based on academic qualifications for the program, two referee reports, and performance at an interview. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview.
Applicants should refer to both the School of Psychology’s How to Apply page, and Graduate Research School's website for more detail about the application procedure and requirements.
Further Information
The minimum period of enrolment before the award of the degree is eight semesters.
If you are considering applying for a PhD with the School of Psychology, you must first make contact with the School. This will help to establish that your research interests are aligned with those of the School and Faculty, and that there is suitable supervision available for your particular area of research. You can search the School's Areas of Expertise page, or the Find a Researcher page for more information.
Please also refer to the Graduate Research School's website for further information on how to apply, scholarships, English language requirements, and other research-related matters.
If you are considering applying for a PhD with the School of Psychology, you must first make contact with the School. This will help to establish that your research interests are aligned with those of the School and Faculty, and that there is suitable supervision available for your particular area of research. You can search the School's Areas of Expertise page, or the Find a Researcher page for more information.
Please also refer to the Graduate Research School's website for further information on how to apply, scholarships, English language requirements, and other research-related matters.
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