Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.
This will assist you when participating in tutorial discussions and practicing your professional communication skills

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way.
On professional experience placement, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, clients and supervisors.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.

Professional experience placement activities will require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking.

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and professional experience placement settings to build relationships, assess clients support needs and proceed with intervention.

During professional experience placement, tasks which require the use of social communication skills include:

• identifying  and using gestures, verbal turn-taking and proximity during client assessment
• responding to clients with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding and empathy.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, academic reference material and /or handwritten notes.

During professional experience placement, essential information is communicated in written form.

Tasks which require the use of reading include: 

• reading and understanding essential information such as client case notes
• reading and understanding instructions in occupational health and safety documents, workplace procedure manuals and code of conduct documents

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement settings. 

During professional experience placement, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include:  

• Writing client case notes and journals
• Record keeping, psychological report writing and other essential writing tasks 

The accuracy of written communication is in accordance with professional and legal standards and is fundamental to your professional experience placement in a clinical setting.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during your professional experience placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencement.

Number Skills (Numeracy)

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient way when completing on-campus learning and professional experience placement tasks 

In professional experience placement and on campus learning settings, tasks which require the use of number skills include:

• understanding of numerical data and concepts related to psychological outcomes
• analysing results from psychological data collection, accurately scoring test data, performing  accurate statistical analysis

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory and research during on-campus learning activities and during professional experience placement.

During professional experience placement, tasks which require these cognitive skills include:

• planned organisation and information processing when delivering questionnaires and interviewing clients
• engagement with clients and supervisors during  the designated period of duty

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.