The Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a 36-unit program involving coursework and clinical practicums. It is offered by the College of Medicine and Public Health.
Except with the permission of the Dean (Education), the course must be completed within four consecutive semesters.
The course articulates with the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and the 72-unit Master of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. A student who has completed the Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy may be granted credit for up to 18 units of topics if admitted into the Graduate Diploma.
Admission requirements
Applicants must hold an approved undergraduate degree, or hold the Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy from Flinders University or have an equivalent qualification in a health-related area, eg behavioural science, counselling, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology or social work.
However, the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Course aims
The Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy will equip individuals with an extended and progressive knowledge of CBT interventions and complimentary evidence-based focused psychological strategies. Individuals will have demonstrated clinical competencies through various modes and also undertake supervised practicums that offer integrated learning opportunities to consolidate clinical skills development. The course aims to provide opportunities for individuals working in health related areas to extend and consolidate their knowledge in evidence-based assessment and interventions for high prevalence psychological disorders within a competency-based cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) framework.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, graduates will have met specific competencies in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and be able to:
- Provide cognitive behaviour therapy to people experiencing high prevalence psychological disorders within a supervisory evidence-based framework.
- Deliver evidence-based interventions such as motivational interviewing, behavioural
activation and other focused psychological strategies.
- Respond to the evolving and changing model of mental health care within national and
international service provisions.
- Determine cognitive and behavioural case formulations for a range of high prevalence psychological disorders.
- Administer clinical tools and measures to guide and inform collaborative treatment planning.
- Participate and engage in clinical supervision through the use of reflective practice techniques.
Program of study
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.
Except with permission of the Dean (Education), the award of a grade of fail (F) on more than one occasion in the same topic may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
Core topics
31.5 units comprising
MHSC8018 Low Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychological Disorders (4.5 units)
MHSC8019 Fundamentals of Clinical Practice (4.5 units)
MHSC8020 Theory and Models of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (4.5 units)
MHSC8021 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychological Disorders (4.5 units)
MHSC8024 Advanced Theory and Models of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (4.5 units)
MHSC8033 Clinical Practicum 1 – Applications of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (9 units)
Option topic
Select one 4.5 unit topic from the following list^:
MHSC8031 Clinical Supervision for Health Professionals (4.5 units)
MHSC8032 Building Resilience with Young People (4.5 units)
MHSC9026 Research Methods in Health^ (4.5 units)
Or an alternative Flinders University postgraduate topic may be selected with the approval of the Course Coordinator, provided topic prerequisites are met.
^Students planning to apply for the Master of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy must select MHSC9026 Research Methods in Health
