Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

The Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a 36-unit program involving coursework and clinical practicums. The program is normally completed in two semesters full-time or up to six semesters part-time. 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 six 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
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study 
  

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.

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 - Year 1 topics

27 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)
MHSC8033  Clinical Practicum 1 – Applications of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (9 units)

Option - Year 1 topics¹

Select 9 units from the following list:

MHSC8031  Clinical Supervision for Health Professionals (4.5 units)
MHSC8032  Building Resilience with Young People (4.5 units)
MHSC8111  Managing Chronic Conditions - Self-Management Support Approaches (4.5 units)
MHSC8112  Perspectives on Chronic Diseases Management (4.5 units)

    1.      Students may, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, select alternative option topics for up to 4.5 units of study provided topic prerequisites are met.