Unit Outline

In this unit, students will develop pre-professional competencies in psychology as well as gain further understanding of the professional practice roles psychologists and psychological scientists undertake across a broad range of employment settings. Students will learn about the theory and practice of psychology and psychological science in a variety of applied workplace settings, such as to encourage mental wellbeing, improve productivity, and guiding public policy. Students in this unit will develop an understanding of how social, historical, professional and cultural factors influence the science and practice of psychology across varied settings. Students will also learn the key communication and interaction skills psychologists use in professional practice. As such, this unit will promote the scientist-practitioner model of the practice of psychology through real-life examples, case studies, and role-play. Learning exercises simulate the real world of the practice of psychology and psychological science as closely as possible. To this end, when you come to class you will be engaging in “work experience” in a simulated workplace in which you are providing services based on psychological principles.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Compare, contrast, and evaluate evidence-based approaches for psychological interventions.
2	Appraise the role of diversity on psychological practice in a range of settings
3	Apply psychological science skills in communication and interaction in a range of contexts.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

The Unit weightings on the assignments have been revised based on student feedback, and the marking guidelines for some assessments have been refined to better align the assessment with the expectations of the Honours year.
As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2025, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Video roleplay	Week 5	20 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Written reflection	Week 6	20 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:	Applied Problem Solving Assignment	Week 9	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Group Presentation	Week 11	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Video roleplay

Task Description:

Students will demonstrate pre-professional skills by conducting a videotaped roleplay of an interview scenario.

Task Length:

Videotaped roleplay: Maximum 20 mins

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate pre-professional psychology skills in communication and interaction.	LO3
2	Adapt and apply psychological intervention techniques to pre-professional roleplay scenarios.	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Written reflection

Task Description:

Students will demonstrate pre-professional skills by submitting a written assignment in which they will reflect on their skills.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Reflect on theory and research related to psychological communication and interaction.	LO1
2	Reflect on how diversity can influence psychological communication and interaction.	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Applied Problem Solving Assignment

Task Description:

Applied Problem Solving Assignment
This is an individual assignment based on the topic identified by your group and expanded upon in Assignment 3. You will consider key aspects of psychological practice pertaining to
psychological sciences, professional practice, ethics, working with diverse clients, as well as a situation you need to problem solve using your psychological knowledge in the context of these broader issues.

Please see the assessment tab on MyLO for further information

Task Length:

maximum 1000 words

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Use theory and research to identify appropriate, evidence-based approaches to psychological intervention.	LO1
2	Explain how social, historical, professional, and cultural factors may influence the design, selection, or efficacy of a psychology psychological intervention.	LO2
3	Select an appropriate evaluation framework to assess the efficacy of the proposed intervention	LO1
4	Apply pre-professional psychology skills in written communication relevant to professional communication settings.	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Group Presentation

Task Description:

In this assessment, you will research, prepare and present a podcast on a topical psychological issue using knowledge gained from the unit and
building on assignment 2.

Task Length:

Group oral Podcast presentation: Maximum 10 minutes

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Use theory and research to identify appropriate, evidence-based approaches to psychological intervention.	LO1
2	Explain how social, historical, professional and cultural factors may influence the design, selection, or efficacy of a psychological intervention.	LO2
3	Apply pre-professional psychology skills in communication and interaction relevant to public science communication settings.	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.