week 7 / 8 / 9

Psychological Literacy

• Psychological literacy is applying psychological knowledge to personal, family, occupational, community and societal challenges.
• Applying psychological knowledge to real world problems includes recognising individual characteristics in twins, and understanding the complexities of "gaming disorder".

Scientific Literacy

• Scientific literacy applies skills and knowledge to everyday life and the workplace, engaging with science-related issues as a reflective citizen.
• Key components of Scientific literacy include:
  • Understanding scientific research practices.
  • Acting ethically.
  • Critical thinking.
  • Evaluating the quality of scientific information.
  • Having cultural competence and respecting diversity.
  • Having self-awareness: being reflective about your own behaviour.

Psychological Literacy: A Desired Attribute

• Psychological literacy is a desired attribute because it allows people to use psychological principles to change maladaptive human behavior.
• Psychologically literate people can problem-solve and communicate well in different contexts.

Pathways and Career Opportunities

• To become a registered psychologist in Australia, you must complete a minimum of 6 years of study followed by a 2-year Registrar Program.
• Alternatively, you can complete a 5-year Masters of Professional Psychology program followed by a 1-year internship.

Postgraduate Pathways: Psychology Masters Programs

• 6-year Masters programs (Clinical, Clinical Neuropsychology, Organisational):
  • Minimum WAM of 75 in Years 1-3 of undergraduate psychology.
  • Minimum WAM of 80 in Year 4 of undergraduate psychology (Honours or 4th-year equivalent).
• 5 + 1 Pathway (Master of Professional Psychology)
  • Minimum WAM of 65 in Years 1-3 of undergraduate psychology.
  • Minimum WAM of 75 in Year 4 of undergraduate psychology (Honours or 4th-year equivalent).
• Other Master programs include:
  • Community Psychology.
  • Counselling Psychology.
  • Educational Psychology.
  • Forensic Psychology.
  • Health Psychology.
  • Sport and Exercise Psychology.

Applying for Provisional Registration

• Provisional registration is required for enrollment in postgraduate psychology programs in Australia.
• To apply for Provisional registration, you must:
  • Provide a criminal history check.
  • Provide an international criminal history check if you have lived overseas for more than six months.
  • Provide an English language skills test (IELTS) if you completed your high school education overseas.

Strengthening Your Application

• Complete an Honours degree in Psychology.
• Secure strong referee reports from both academic and work references.
• Highlight work experience in your application, demonstrating your understanding of the world and its relevance to psychology.
• Outline the specific type of work, the population you worked with, and the length of time and hours per week you worked.
• Clearly articulate why you want to be a psychologist and what makes you a strong candidate.
• Connect your preferred area of training to your personal strengths and abilities in your motivation statement.
• Use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) examples to highlight your relevant skills and experience.

Professional Organisations

• Australian Psychological Society (APS):
  • Is a professional membership body for registered psychologists in Australia.
  • Is not the registration board.
  • Contains over 27,000 members.
  • Offers 46 interest groups focused on various areas of psychology.
• American Psychological Association (APA):
  • A professional organization for psychologists in the United States.
• Australian Counselling Association (ACA):
  • Largest registration body for counselors and psychotherapists in Australia.
  • Has four levels of membership.
• Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation Australia (PACFA):
  • Has strict guidelines for membership eligibility.
  • Offers student membership to students currently enrolled in a counselling and/or psychotherapy course.

The APS

• Three Divisions:
  • Division of Early Career: for psychologists less than 7 years in practice.
  • Division of Professional Psychology (DPP): for psychologists holding general registration.
  • Division of Psychological Research, Education, and Training (DPRET): for professionals in psychology research, education, and training.