MASSEY UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Category A Proposal From The School of Psychology

The introduction of a POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PSYCHOLOGY
(PGDipPsych)

SECTION A

1. Purpose of Proposal

(a) To offer a new Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (PGDipPsych).
(b) To rationalise the use of an existing graduate diploma used by the School of Psychology.
(c) To offer a new year four qualification which will be submitted for approval to the NewZealand Psychologists Board for inclusion in the schedule of the Psychologists Act 1981, Qualifications Recognised for Registration.

2. Justification of Proposal

This proposal is in response to a recent request from CUAP to New Zealand Universities to standardise the structures and nomenclature of Diplomas. The School of Psychology at Massey University offers a number of postgraduate qualifications which are very similar to the range offered by other New Zealand Universities. One qualification which is particularly useful and very popular in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is the graduate Diploma in Arts (DipArts).

Note:
Prior to the 1998 the Faculty of Social Sciences offered a graduate Diploma in Social Sciences (DipSocSci) and this qualification has been incorporated into the present regulations for the DipArts.

The School of Psychology has utilised the graduate DipArts in two ways:

(i) Option 1.: As a graduate qualification for those candidates, who hold an undergraduate degree in another discipline and who now wish to obtain the equivalent of an undergraduate major in Psychology. This option requires the candidate to successfully complete 100 points in Psychology at the 200 and 300 levels.
(ii) Option 2.: As a postgraduate qualification for those candidates, who hold an undergraduate degree or diploma with a major in Psychology and who now wish to obtain a year four qualification in Psychology because they do not wish to, or were not accepted into a Honours or Masters degree programme. This option requires the candidate to successfully complete 100 points in Psychology at the 700 level.

The use of the graduate DipArts has always been problematic for psychology graduates and external agencies because the present regulations:

(a) Have allowed the graduate DipArts to be awarded for two very different qualification structures. In response to CUAP s request to standardise diplomas, Massey University has classified the graduate DipArts as a graduate diploma. This classification does not accurately reflect the postgraduate option which consists of academic work at an advanced level which builds on the attainment in the academic field of the prior degree .
(b) The two options have made it difficult for the School of Psychology, Massey University to submit the qualification to the New Zealand Psychologists Registration Board for possible accreditation. A postgraduate Diploma in Psychology is more likely to meet the academic requirements of the Psychologists Act 1981. Currently graduates with a graduate
DipArts (Option 2) from Massey University are considered on a case-by-case basis when applying for registration.
(c) Have presented a problem for the costing and resourcing of the graduate DipArts as different Ministry of Education (Category B and Category D) funding is involved for the School of Psychology.

The present proposal does not seek to change the present use or nomenclature of the graduate DipArts (Option 1 ) and this qualification will continue to be the main route for non psychology graduates to obtain the equivalent of a undergraduate major in Psychology. The present proposal seeks to introduce the PGDipPsych to replace the use of the graduate DipArts (Option 2) for the School of Psychology and it also clearly indicates the postgraduate nature of the qualification.

The School of Psychology has approximately 220 full-time and part-time postgraduate students currently enrolled in its graduate programme. In addition, many applications are declined because the School does not have the resources or facilities to supervise the research components of existing qualifications. Thus there is a need for a professional year four qualification which will fill this niche and may allow registration after an approved period of supervised practice.

The PGDipPsych will also be available to a wide range of practising Psychologists who wish
to undertake further postgraduate studies or additional academic training. This will enable them to improve their professional development and this will help meet some of the continuing academic requirements necessary for a rapidly changing profession. The offering of Psychology papers in block mode has also significantly increased the demand for a qualification which does not contain a major research component.

The proposed regulations also allow for the PGDipPsych to be endorsed in specialised areas of Psychology. This development is to partly meet the growing need for some specialised practicums to be undertaken in conjunction with academic study. The inclusion of an endorsement will also allow further specialisation for those who already hold advanced qualifications in Psychology. The specialised endorsements will be developed in conjunction with professional bodies and employing authorities over the next few years because of the need to establish specialised practicum and/or training placements.

This proposal seeks to meet the following criteria for approval of new programmes.

(i) Acceptability for a Postgraduate Qualification in Psychology

The new qualification will be readily accepted as a postgraduate qualification in Psychology as it is identical to an existing qualification. The School of Psychology will submit the new qualification to the New Zealand Psychologists Board for possible accreditation as it is equivalent to a year four qualification which is the minimum academic qualification necessary for registration. The new diploma is very similar to the Diploma in Psychology available at many major Australian Universities and to year four honours programmes offered by some New Zealand Universities. The qualification will be readily acceptable to all employers of Psychologists as a potential programme for continued professional development and to those employing authorities where registration is mandatory.

(ii) Adequacy and Appropriateness of The Regulations.

There has been widespread acceptance of the content and quality of the present graduate DipArts (Option 2) and the schedule of papers offered by the School of Psychology. The postgraduate papers that will be offered in the PGDipPsych will be identical to those presently offered by Massey University. The regulations for the qualification are standard and meet CUAP s criteria for a postgraduate diploma. The qualification is flexible and may be used as an upskilling or bridging course. The proposal is also justified by the School of Psychology's and Massey University's commitment to increasing the number of postgraduate students and the development of qualifications which upskill existing degrees.

3. Goals of the Programme

The PGDipPsych creates a new postgraduate qualification which is built on a previous qualification. The goal of the PGDipPsych is to provide a high quality and comprehensive qualification that will meet widespread acceptance by the community and profession.

The academic rationale for the proposal is also supported by the widely accepted Diploma in Psychology which is an existing qualification offered by many Australian Universities. It is also very similar to other postgraduate diplomas and equivalent year four qualifications offered by other Departments of Psychology in New Zealand.

Nearly all of these programmes have been accredited by the Australian and New Zealand Psychological Societies as an approved postgraduate course of instruction respectively. The coherence of the proposal is based upon successful completion of an undergraduate qualification in Psychology, followed by a selection of postgraduate papers which include theoretical, practical and attendance at appropriate workshops and seminars. Successful completion of the PGDipPsych at a high standard (ie with Distinction) will normally allow progression to masters degree by thesis only.

4. Graduate Profile

At the successful conclusion of the PGDipPsych, the graduates will satisfy the examiners that they have a detailed knowledge of Psychology and have:

Intellectual skills, including high level of analysis, critique, synthesis and problem solving;
Knowledge and understanding of the parameters of, and key issues in the discipline of Psychology;
Willingness to learn and continue to learn and to appreciate that learning and professional development continues throughout life;
Capacity to acquire information and knowledge across disciplinary boundaries;
Information literacy including the ability to locate, analyse, critique and evaluate a wide range of psychological information utilising a wide range of sources;
The ability to access information using information technology, including computer-based information in a range of contexts;
Capacity to present and communicate formally and informally their knowledge to a wide range of people;
Ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams;
Ability to set individual learning objectives and to maintain a high level of ethical and professional development.

5. Proposed Regulations

The regulations for the new PGDipPsych are consistent with other postgraduate qualifications offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The existing policy for the recognition of prior learning and admission with equivalent status by the College will be followed. The proposed regulations as they will appear in the Calendar are detailed below. These regulations will be indexed where necessary to prevent duplication in the Massey Calendar (ie The list of graduate papers will be listed under the BA (Hons) (general regulations).

The Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (PGDipPsych)

The personal course of study of every candidate shall require the approval of the Academic Board. Approval will normally be granted for courses which are in accordance with the Course Regulations. For general provisions affecting their courses of study students are referred to the General Regulations governing Matriculation, Enrolment and Examinations.

Course Regulations

1. Before enrolment for this Diploma a candidate shall

(a) have been admitted or qualified for admission to a University degree or have been admitted with equivalent status; and
(b) have a major in Psychology as defined in the schedule to the BA regulations; and
(c) have met to the satisfaction of the Academic Board such other pre- or co-requisites or requirements as requested by the Head of School.

2. A candidate shall follow an approved coherent course of study for the equivalent of one year of full-time study.

3. To qualify for the award of the Diploma a candidate shall normally-

(a) have complied with the general conditions for admission and also have satisfied the Head of School of Psychology that they have sufficient background of qualifications to benefit from the course at the level selected; and
(b) each course of study shall require the approval of the Head of School. Every candidate shall:

(i) pass a selection of papers in Psychology at the 700-level to a total of at least 100 points, and complete practical work as appropriate; and
(ii) complete to the satisfaction of the Academic Board such other work as may be prescribed from time to time for the approved course of study.

4. In the case of sufficient merit a candidate may be awarded the Diploma with Distinction.

5. A candidate may be credited with a restricted pass only in papers to a maximum of 25 points.

Course of Study

1. Prerequisite

Papers selected from the following list to a total of at least 100 points and may include a research exercise (75.799). (Note: These are listed in the Massey University Calendar Page 282)

Papers selected from the following list to a total of at least 100 points, including a research
exercise (75.799).
Points
75.701 Adult Clinical Psychology
75.702 Research Techniques and Methodology
75.703 Postmodernism and Psychology
75.704 Studies in Cognition
75.705 Applied Behaviour Analysis
75.706 Interpersonal and Human Relations
75.707 Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
75.708 Psychological Assessment
75.709 Ergonomics and Human Performance
75.710 Psychology of Work
75.711 Social Change and Community Development
75.712 Special Topic
75.713 Special Topic
75.716 Psychology of Language and Communication
75.719 Advanced Forensic Psychology
75.721 Child and Family Clinical Psychology
75.722 Clinical Neuropsychology
75.723 Experimental Psychology Project
75.724 Studies in Personality
75.725 Advanced Social Psychology
75.726 Health Psychology
75.728 Counselling Psychology
75.741 Industrial and Organisational Psychology
75.742 Occupational Psychology
75.751 Rehabilitation Psychology
75.799 Research Exercise

Notes:
1. The research exercise must be submitted by 30 November in the year of enrolment.
2. Not all papers will be offered in a given year. For details of the programme students should consult the Graduate Prospectus available from the School.
3. Albany campus students should note that a limited selection of papers from among those listed at the 700-level for the BA(Hons) will be offered at Albany in 1999 and the co-requisite for the research exercise (75.799) is 75.702.
4. Students who wish to advance to specialist graduate qualifications, should consult the Head of School before enroling.
5. Endorsement will be given to the Diploma indicating the possession of practical qualifications relating to a special area. To obtain an endorsement, students must comply with the following

a). be approved by the Head of School in consultation with a selection committee for entry into the endorsement programme. Such approval may be given at the beginning of the Diploma or later;

b). include in their Diploma a number of specified papers;

c). satisfactorily complete supervised practical work in the appropriate areas of from 400 to 500 hours.

6. Proposed Teaching / Delivery Systems

Teaching will be offered at both the Turitea and Albany Campuses and some papers may be offered in block mode. To complete the PGDipPsych candidates will be required to attend all block courses (when specified), and successfully complete all other course requirements and a final examination (when specified). The on campus block courses will be of 10 days duration and these may be divided into two smaller sessions.

7. Prescriptions for Papers

The prescriptions for all papers have previously been approved and are listed in the 1999 Massey University Calendar. No new papers are offered.

8. Assessment Procedures

The assessment procedures for all papers have previously been approved and are detailed in the 1999 Paper Descriptions and in the School of Psychology Graduate Prospectus

9. Resources

The existing staff of the School of Psychology will teach all papers.

10. Plans for monitoring programme quality

All graduate papers are currently monitored annually by the external Graduate Assessor of the School of Psychology (Currently Associate Professor M O Driscoll from the University of Waikato). All programmes within the School of Psychology are externally reviewed by an international committee every five years. Formal student evaluation of each paper (SECAT) is undertaken over a three years cycle.

SECTION B

1. Relationship to strategic goals

The proposal is consistent with the over-riding strategic directions of the College of Humanities and Social Science and the School of Psychology. The proposal:

Growth

Seeks new sources of growth associated with core teaching and research skills;

Geographical Presence

Replicates existing papers, programme skills and structures between campuses;
Establishes a distinctively tailored programme within the School of Psychology on both campuses;

Technology

Involves both campuses in the delivery of a block programme;

Research

Enhances the School s reputation as a leading provider of relevant theoretical and applied research based on excellence in applied and discipline based research;

Teaching and learning

Is shaped by a desire for excellence and this is maintained across a wide variety of teaching modes;
Is accessible to a wide diversity of students;
The university in the community
Fulfils the School's duty of promoting community service by developing linkages among staff and community organisations, professional groups and national and international communities;
Encourages Psychologists to continue professional development.

2. Predicted student numbers / EFTS

The predicted student numbers (EFTS) are as follows: 2000: 10; 2001: 15, and 2002: 20. These figures are based on actual student participation.

3. Learning aims / objectives for each paper

The learning aims/objectives all papers have previously been approved and are detailed in the 1999 Paper Descriptions.

4. Student workload, terms requirements and assessment procedures for each paper

Students are required to satisfactorily complete all assignments and practical work and successfully pass the final examination. Attendance at all block courses is compulsory. Assessment procedures are documented in the 1999 Paper Descriptions (Attached).

5. Availability of teaching and support staff

All papers will be taught by existing staff.

6. Availability of teaching space and other required facilities

Teaching space will be provided at Massey University, Turitea and Albany Campuses. All block courses will be held during and outside of term time and this will maximise use of teaching space.

7. Availability of library resources

Existing library resources will continued to be utilised.

8. Time tabling arrangements

Time tabling arrangements have been coordinated between Turitea and Albany Campuses to allow block courses to be scheduled so as to maximise the use of vacation periods and to evenly spread the teaching programme over the year.

9. Limitations on numbers if appropriate

No limitations into papers are planned except some papers may impose restrictions because of clinical or practicum requirements. Entry in to the Graduate Programme is competitive.

MASSEY UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES