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Registration and Accreditation

Registration

Students at RMIT can meet the initial (probationary) requirements by the completion of the 3-year Bachelor of Applied Science (with a major in psychology) and the subsequent completion of the 1-year Graduate Diploma or Honours year in Psychology. Those who wish to follow the Masters or Doctoral route to registration can then complete the 2-year Master of Psychology, or pursue Doctoral studies. All subjects in these courses are accredited by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Requirements for Registration as a Psychologist under the Psychologists Registration Act are as follows :

A degree from a university given upon successful completion of four years of progressive study in psychology which has included five specific elements, namely :

• (a) a one-semester subject at third or fourth year level in the theory and practice of psychological assessment; and
• (b) a one semester subject at third or fourth year level in the ethics of psychological practice; and
• (c) study at third or fourth year level in an applied area of psychology; and
• (d) an individually-reported research project in psychology comprising at least one fifth of the fourth year course; and
• (e) a one semester subject at second or third year in the theory and practice of research methods in psychology.

A person whose training has included these elements can apply for registration as probationary psychologist. The next step, registration as a psychologist requires:

EITHER

• (a) at least 480 days of full time psychological work while registered as a probationary psychologist and in accordance with a supervision plan previously submitted to the board. (An applicant who has completed a postgraduate research degree in psychology may be given 240 days credit for it, but will still need to obtain registration as a probationary psychologist and work as such for a further 240 days).

OR

• (b) successful completion of a coursework master's or doctoral degree in psychology that includes study of the theory and practise of psychological assessment, study of the ethics of psychological practise and placements totalling at least 120 days of practical experience. (While acquiring that experience in a placement setting an applicant will need to have been registered as a probationary psychologist).

If an applicant's coursework higher degree did not include 120 days of practical experience, the applicant will subsequently need to acquire such additional experience as is necessary to bring the total up to 120 days. While acquiring this additional experience the person concerned will have to be registered as a probationary psychologist.

Accreditation

Psychology programs are accredited by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and RMIT University. Academic programs that are currently accredited include: Bachelor of AppliedScience (Psychology); Graduate Diploma in Behavioural Science; Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours); Graduate Diploma in Psychology; Master of Psychology; Doctor of Psychology; Ph.D with Masters Coursework; Master of Applied Science; and Ph.D with supervision.