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Unit of study_
PSYC6083: Assessment Across the Lifespan
2025 unit information
In this unit students will develop expert understanding of theories and acquire advanced clinical skills that are important for psychological assessment of children and adults. The unit is based on the scientist-practitioner model which highlights the importance of critical thinking and utilisation of up to date research in selection of instruments and techniques to be used in assessments. The unit will promote a clinical approach that integrates clinical history, presentation and results obtained from psychometric testing (when appropriate) to form an opinion. It will develop a conceptual framework for understanding core psychological and developmental disorders, and assessment of these disorders. The unit will focus on assessment of behaviour, affect and cognition across the lifespan. Students will be taught how to undertake psychological assessments and how to communicate these complex findings to a range of audiences.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Psychology Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. demonstrate advanced knowledge of current diagnostic features and developmental progression of major neurodevelopmental disorders
- LO2. demonstrate advanced knowledge of biological, psychological and social factors underpinning neurodevelopmental disorders and impacting the outcomes
- LO3. utilise this advanced knowledge in case analyses and formulation of hypotheses prior to assessment
- LO4. structure clinical interviews that will test clinical hypotheses generated from background case information
- LO5. select assessment tools that are suitable for testing clinical hypotheses and have adequate psychometric properties
- LO6. administer psychometric instruments
- LO7. interpret scores obtained on psychometric instruments
- LO8. integrate background, interview and psychometric data with the knowledge of neurodevelopmental disorders to arrive at case interpretation, diagnosis and oral and written recommendations.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
Important enrolment information
Additional advice
Enrolment is restricted to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology degree at the University of Sydney.
