L.S. 327.120 Grad ta’ Master of Psychology fil-Clinical Psychology - M.Psy. (Clin.) - jew fil-Counselling Psychology - M.Psy. (Couns.) - jew fl-Educat

(1)These bye-laws may be cited as the Bye-Laws of 2017 in terms of the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2008 for the degree of Master of Psychology in Clinical Psychology - M.Psy. (Clin.) - or in Counselling Psychology M.Psy. (Couns.) - or in Educational Psychology - M.Psy. (Ed.) - or in Forensic Psychology - M.Psy. (For.) - or in Health Psychology M.Psy. (Health) - or in Neuropsychology - M.Psy. (Neuro.) - under the auspices of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing. Citation and interpretation. Substituted by: L.N. 320 of 2015; L.N. 326 of 2017.

(2)In these bye-laws, unless the context otherwise requires – “the Board” means the Board of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing; “the Board of Studies” means the Board of Studies for the Course as appointed by Senate on the recommendation of the Board; “the Course” means the programme of study leading to the degree of Master of Psychology in Clinical Psychology - M.Psy. (Clin.) - or in Counselling Psychology - M.Psy. (Couns.) - or in Educational Psychology - M.Psy. (Ed.) - or in Forensic Psychology - M.Psy. (For.) - or in Health Psychology - M.Psy. (Health) - or in Neuropsychology - M.Psy. (Neuro.); “the Degree” means the degree of Master of Psychology in C l i n i c a l P s y c h o l o g y - M . P s y. ( C l i n . ) - o r i n C o u n s e l l i n g Psychology - M.Psy. (Couns.) - or in Educational Psychology M.Psy. (Ed.) - or in Forensic Psychology - M.Psy. (For.) - or in Health Psychology - M.Psy. (Health) - or in Neuropsychology M.Psy. (Neuro.); “the Postgraduate Diploma” means the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology – P.G. Dip.; and “the Principal Regulations” means the General Regulations for S.L. 327.328 2 [ S.L.327.120 DEGREE OF MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGY University Postgraduate Awards, 2008. Applicability. Amended by: L.N. 472 of 2011; S.L. 320 of 2015; L.N. 326 of 2017; L.N. 280 of 2018. 2. These bye-laws shall be applicable for courses commencing in October 2019 or later. Areas of specialisation. Substituted by: L.N. 320 of 2015; L.N. 326 of 2017. 3. The Course shall be offered in the following areas of specialisation: Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, and Neuropsychology. Requirements for admission. Amended by: L.N. 472 of 2011; L.N. 320 of 2015; L.N. 326 of 2017. L.N. 280 of 2018. 4.

(1)The Course shall be open to applicants who are proficient in the Maltese Language and who are in possession of the following qualifications: (

1. a)a Bachelor degree in Psychology with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division), or an equivalent qualification from this or another university; or (
2. b)a Bachelor degree in Psychology with at least Second Class Honours (Lower Division), together with a Master’s degree in Psychology-related areas from this or another University; or (
3. c)a Bachelor degree in Psychology or a Bachelor degree with Psychology as a main area of study, in both cases obtained with at least Category IIA or another degree in a related area deemed relevant by the Board of Studies obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) (Upper Division); provided that all applicants applying in terms of this paragraph would either have obtained 60 ECTS credits in Psychology, as approved by the Board, following the award of their degree, or have obtained the Higher Diploma in Psychology with at least Pass with Merit, which together with their degree are deemed to be comparable to the qualification indicated in paragraph (
4. a)of this bye-law.”

(2)Applicants referred to in paragraph

(1)of this bye-law are also required to have either: (

1. i)a minimum of 2400 hours of experience in a clinical or counselling or educational or forensic or health or neuropsychology setting; or (
2. ii)a minimum of 1200 hours of experience in a clinical or counselling or educational or forensic or health or neuropsychology setting, under the supervision of a warranted psychologist. This experience should normally be obtained after applicants have been awarded the qualification indicated in paragraph

(1)of this bye-law.

(3)Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, shall determine the number of applicants that may be allowed to register in any of the areas of specialisation indicated in bye-law 3. The Board shall announce the number of available places in each area of specialisation at the time of the call for applications. [ S.L.327.120 DEGREE OF MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGY

(4)When the number is so limited and the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants shall be selected according to the following criteria, which shall be weighted as follows: (

1. a)degree type and classification - 20%; (
2. b)work experience in the area or a related field - 15%; (
3. c)professional aptitude and disposition - 55%; and (
4. d)references - 10%.

(5)(

1. a)Professional aptitude and disposition measured by means of exercises involving: (
2. i)shall be role play with a client, (
3. ii)group discussion, and (iii) personal interview. (
4. b)Applicants who obtain less than 60% for the professional aptitude and disposition criterion shall automatically not be admitted into the course.

(6)If the number of applicants who satisfy the selection criteria exceeds the number of available places, applicants shall be accepted according to merit.

(7)The interviewing board appointed by the Board shall be composed of at least three members.

(8)For the purpose of selection, applicants who fully satisfy the entry requirements by 31st August preceding the commencement of the course shall be considered first.” 5. The course shall extend over four semesters of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study. Course duration. 6.

(1)The programme of study for each area of specialisation shall comprise study-units to which a total of 120 credits are assigned, of which 90 credits are assigned to taught study-units and 30 credits assigned to the dissertation study-unit. Programme of study.

(2)Students who obtain 60 credits assigned to taught studyunits with an average mark of at least 50% and do not proceed with the course, or having proceeded do not successfully complete the dissertation, shall be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma.

(3)The programmes of study shall be published after approval by Senate, normally not less than eight months prior to the commencement of the course. 7.

(1)The assessment of each taught study-unit shall be completed by the end of the semester in which the teaching of the study-unit is held.

(2)Students who in any academic year fail in the assessment of not more than 20 credits, if following the full-time course, or not more than 10 credits if following the part-time course, shall be given the opportunity to re-sit the failed assessments during the September supplementary examination session, provided that students who fail in a study-unit involving a placement that requires assessment over a period of time shall not have the right to Assessment and progress. 3 4 [ S.L.327.120 DEGREE OF MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGY a supplementary assessment and shall be required to withdraw from the course.

(3)Students who fail in more than the number of credits permitted under paragraph

(2), or students who after re-assessment fail to obtain credit for any study-unit, shall be required to withdraw from the course. Dissertation. 8.

(1)Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of approximately 25,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board.

(2)Work on the dissertation shall be undertaken during the fourth semester of the course. Each student shall be assigned a supervisor, who shall provide guidance and advice on a regular basis during the period of study.

(3)A provisional title of the dissertation and a detailed research proposal shall be submitted to the Board for approval by the end of the second semester. Supervisor. 9.

(1)Students shall be required to have regular contact with their supervisor.

(2)Supervisors shall submit to the Board progress reports for each student under their supervision at the end of each semester of studies, whether the student is following the course on a full-time or a part-time basis. Such reports may include a recommendation to either: (

1. a)extend the period of study in order to enable the student to complete the dissertation; or (
2. b)terminate studies prematurely if the supervisor deems this to be proper in the circumstances, provided that: (
3. i)the extension of the study period referred to in (
4. a)shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Principal Regulations; and (
5. ii)the Board may not terminate studies prematurely according to (
6. b)until it has first given the student a chance to be heard. Classification of the Awards. 10. The Final Weighted Average Mark for the purpose of the classification of the Postgraduate Diploma and of the Degree shall be based on the results obtained in all the components of the programme of study, all credits being weighted equally. Special provisions for part-time courses. 11. The provisions of the foregoing bye-laws shall apply mutatis mutandis to courses followed on a part-time basis, and subject to such changes as may reasonably be deemed by the Board as necessary due to the part-time nature of the course.