Inherent requirements for undergraduate psychology courses

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

Students need a theoretical and practical awareness of the values of the scientific community and of the broader society, including responsible and ethical research practices, and to be able to behave in ways consistent with these values.

2

Students need to demonstrate ethical behaviour towards fellow students, staff, and members of the wider community, as well as behaving with academic integrity.

3

Why is ethical behaviour an inherent requirement?
Compliance with recognised values of society, and the scientific discipline of psychology, facilitates safe and competent interactions and relationships for students and the people with whom they engage. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of all parties.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the ethical behaviour requirement must ensure that any policies or procedures are not compromised, or result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments can be discussed with the College Disability Academic Advisor or Course Coordinator.

5

Examples of ways in which ethical behaviour applies to this course:
- Appropriately acknowledging sources in the preparation of written assignments.
- Displaying sensitivity to others’ experiences and opinions in discussions as part of course work.
- Understanding and practising appropriate professional boundaries.
- Demonstrating appropriate behaviour with confidential information.
- Complying with codes and guidelines of ethical conduct with respect to research.

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

Behavioural stability is required for students to be able to function and adapt effectively in a program of study in psychology.

2

Students need to demonstrate the ability to work constructively, both individually and with others, and to be accountable for their own actions, including a capacity to interact with sensitive materials relating to dimensions of human psychology.

3

Why is behavioural stability an inherent requirement?
Psychological training requires that students are able to apply psychological knowledge to personal development, including articulating ideas, regulating one’s emotions and behaviours, and solving everyday problems.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the behavioural stability requirement must support stable, effective and safe behaviour in academic settings.

5

Examples of ways in which behavioural stability applies to this course:
- Appropriately regulating one’s emotional state and reactions.
- Ability to be self-reliant, organised, and an effective time manager.
- Demonstrating respectful behaviour and being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback.

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

Compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements is required for students to be able to complete a program of study in psychology.

2

Students need to demonstrate knowledge and compliance with relevant laws and professional regulations.

3

Why is legal an inherent requirement?
Knowledge, understanding and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others. Compliance with these regulations and the law ensures that students are responsible and accountable for their behaviours.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the legal requirement must be consistent with legal and regulatory requirements.

5

Examples of ways in which behavioural stability applies to this course:
- Complying with legal requirements.
- Complying with regulatory requirements for eventual registration with the Australian Health Professional Registration Authority (AHPRA).

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

Effective written and verbal communication in English are essential to complete the academic requirements of this course.

2

Students need to demonstrate: the capacity to develop coherent written and verbal communication in response to assessments; to communicate in ways that show  sensitivity to individual and cultural differences; to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner; to be able to understand and provide clear instructions in a given context; and to provide timely, clear feedback and reporting.

3

Why is communication an inherent requirement?
Effective communication in a variety of formats and contexts, including presenting data and the results of statistical analyses, is an important skill. Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others helps develop trusting relationships. The practice of psychology requires a wide range of communication skills including effective verbal communication with clients and members of a professional team. Speed, accuracy, and interactivity of communication may be critical for individual safety and/or assessment.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the communication requirement must not compromise the individual’s demonstration of their capacity to communicate effectively, clearly, accurately, in a timely manner, and in an appropriate format.

5

Examples of ways in which communication applies to this course:
- Delivering oral presentations as part of assessments.
- Tailoring written communication style to a variety of different formats and data, such as online discussion forums and scientific reports.
- Participating in tutorials, groupwork, and classroom discussions.

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

Effective cognitive skills are required to successfully achieve the academic requirements of the course.

2

Students need to demonstrate the capacity to process, synthesise, recall, and apply information and knowledge in a variety of contexts.

3

Why are knowledge and cognitive skills inherent requirements?
Understanding, applying, and evaluating psychological knowledge requires the ability to locate and integrate information from a range of sources.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the knowledge and cognitive skills requirement must not compromise the student’s capacity to demonstrate their knowledge and cognitive skills.

5

Examples of ways in which knowledge and cognitive skills apply to this course:
- Ability to conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to assessment items.
- Ability to select, evaluate, and apply knowledge, for example to formulate and test hypotheses, prepare a critical literature review, develop treatment plans, etc.

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

Competent literacy skills are essential to ensure the comprehension and communication of discipline knowledge.

2

Students need to demonstrate the ability to comprehend written information in English presented in a variety of styles, and the capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner.

3

Why is literacy (language) an inherent requirement?
The demonstration of understanding of major concepts, theories, and scientific findings, and the ability to explain these, is an important psychology graduate attribute.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the literacy (language) requirement must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate an acceptable capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information.

5

Examples of ways in which literacy (language) applies to this course:
- Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions (e.g., not plagiarising).
- Reading and synthesising written instructions to understand and respond to assessment requirements.

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential to the comprehension and application of scientific method.

2

Students need to demonstrate the capacity to accurately interpret numerical measurements and analyses of data using statistical software.

3

Why is numeracy an inherent requirement?
The ability to read, decode, interpret, and communicate numerical information is essential to the scientific basis of psychology.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the numeracy requirement must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate the capacity to competently and accurately manage and interpret numerical data.

5

Examples of ways in which numeracy applies to this course:
- Performing calculations and statistical analysis using statistical software packages and interpreting the output

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

The discipline and profession of psychology requires respectful academic, personal, and professional relationships with a diverse range of individuals, groups, and communities.

2

Students need to demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain effective and empathic working relationships with academic staff and peers, the capacity to demonstrate high standards of personal integrity in relationships with others, and the ability to engage and relate appropriately in individual and group settings.

3

Why are relational skills an inherent requirement?
Working respectfully with others in groups and dyads is essential to successfully complete the course.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the relational skills requirement must permit students to demonstrate effective relational skills when working with others.

5

Examples of ways in which relational skills applies to this course:
- Relating effectively, openly, and sensitively to academic staff and peers to facilitate an effective learning environment and manage one’s own academic progress.
- Demonstrating sensitivity to others’ personal and cultural values in class discussions.

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

Students require self-awareness and a capacity for reflection and reflexivity to apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organisational issues.

2

Students need to demonstrate: the capacity to reflect on personal experiences and professional performance and learn from them; insightful awareness of one’s feelings, motives, and attitudes based on psychological principles; the capacity for independent learning in a changing scientific and professional context.

3

Why are reflective skills inherent requirements?
The ability to understand and apply psychological principles to a wide range of situations and contexts is a key graduate attribute for psychology courses, and the capacity for reflection is an important component of this process.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the reflective skills requirement must not compromise the student’s ability to demonstrate an acceptable minimum capacity in this area.

5

Examples of ways in which reflective skills apply to this course:
- Identifying how one's ability to relate to others may impede or enhance work with peers and academic teachers in classroom practice settings.
- Accurately assessing one’s own performance in assessments and integrating feedback effectively into subsequent tasks.

Level

Inherent requirement statements

1

Successful completion of this course requires achievement of a minimum level of sustained mental and physical stamina.

2

Students need to demonstrate the capacity to meet minimum attendance requirements, to complete all compulsory assessments, and to complete course topics on a consistent basis in a reasonable timeframe of enrolment.

3

Why is sustainable performance an inherent requirement?
Sufficient mental and physical stamina is required to complete the course requirements in a reasonable timeframe.

4

Adjustments offered by Flinders University to assist students to meet the sustainable performance requirement must facilitate the completion of compulsory components of the course within acceptable timeframes.

5

Examples of ways in which sustainable performance applies to this course:
- Regular attendance at timetabled workshops and tutorials
- Maintaining an adequate completion rate of units to ensure course completed within the maximum allowable duration
- Completion of exams under appropriate conditions