Course content
In 2023, this course is only available to students completing the PGCertSc in Forensic Psychology at the Auckland campus.
This course is only available for students who can attend the workplace in person. Attendance at scheduled times is required for supervision, placement, and the presentation assessment.
The content of the course is a mix of individualised field work exercises, individual and group supervision, and assessment items that provide a bridge between placement and academic settings, tailored for each student and placement circumstance.
Course learning objectives
Students who pass this course will be able to:
Attend the placement setting for a minimum of 192 hours at times specified by the Placement Supervisor (with due consideration of the student’s other class times).
Meet required standards for professional behaviour and research competence while in the agency or organisation, as judged by the Placement and Academic Supervisors at the end of placement evaluation.
Complete and submit all assessment requirements by deadlines that are detailed below or as agreed with the course co-ordinator.
Attend on-campus meetings with Academic Supervisor as agreed by both parties.
Complete any other requirements agreed with the Placement and Academic Supervisors (i.e., the agreed tasks for completion during the placement).
Available offerings
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Offering CRN 27053
This course outline is final and archived.
Duration
27 February 2023 - 5 November 2023
Starts
Trimester 1
Availability
Limited Entry
Campus
Distance
People
Lecturers
Lecturers
Dr Roxy Heffernan
Coordinator
- roxy.heffernan@vuw.ac.nz
- EA EA511 Easterfield Building, Gate 3, Kelburn Parade, Kelburn
Administrators
Schedule
Teaching plan
Timeline
- 27 February 2023
- Course begins
- 27 February 2023 to 2 June 2023
- Teaching
- 10 April 2023 to 23 April 2023
- Break
- 5 June 2023 to 8 June 2023
- Study period
- 9 June 2023 to 24 June 2023
- Exam period
- 10 July 2023 to 13 October 2023
- Teaching
- 21 August 2023 to 3 September 2023
- Break
- 16 October 2023 to 19 October 2023
- Study period
- 20 October 2023 to 4 November 2023
- Exam period
- 5 November 2023
- Course ends
Timetable
Teaching format
Please note this information is subject to change for 2023.
This course is a work integrated learning course where students complete a research-based forensic psychology related project in their place of work. The course will be taught through a combination of formal meetings with supervisors, informal interactions in the workplace, self-directed study, and three taught workshops at the Auckland campus. The Academic and Workplace Mentor will agree the format of the placement and the scope of the project at the start of placement meeting, together with the student. The Workplace Mentor will oversee the workplace activity of the student. There will also be regular scheduled meetings with the Academic Supervisor. If several students are placed with the same organisation or team, meetings may sometimes be in groups.
Students are required to attend 3 in person research methods workshops at the Auckland campus on 3 March, 13 July, and 7 September 2023 as part of this course.
The presentation assessments also require in person attendance.
Supervision with the Academic Supervisor will be conducted via Zoom.
See Nuku for details.
Workload
Please note this information is subject to change for 2023.
The overall workload for a 30-point course and for an average student is about 300 hours. In FPSY 403 that time will be divided into 192 hours of time in the workplace setting working on a research-based project - this translates into an expectation that students will spend the equivalent of one full day per week over the 24 weeks of the two trimesters working on their workplace project; and the remaining time will be spent meeting with the academic supervisor, attending academic workshops at the Auckland campus (3 in total), preparing assessment work, and presenting the seminar.
Additional classes
This course is a work integrated learning course where students complete a research-based forensic psychology related project in their place of work. The course will be taught through a combination of formal meetings with supervisors, informal interactions in the workplace, self-directed study, and three taught workshops at the Auckland campus. The Academic Supervisor and workplace mentor will agree the format of the placement and the scope of the project at the start of placement meeting, together with the student. The workplace mentor will oversee the workplace activity of the student. There will also be regular scheduled meetings with the Academic Supervisor. If several students are placed with the same organisation or team, meetings may sometimes be in groups.
Students are required to attend 3 in person research methods workshops at the Auckland campus on 3 March, 13 July, and 7 September 2023 as part of this course.
The presentation assessments also require in person attendance.
Supervision with the Academic Supervisor will be conducted via Zoom.
See Nuku for details.
Texts
Required
There are no required texts for this offering.
Recommended
Required materials and equipment
Assessment
Please note, this information is subject to change for 2023.
Reflective Practice Journal A
Due: 19 May 2023
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 5,
Mark: 10%
Presentation A (12 minutes plus 3 minutes for questions).
In person 1-5pm 2 June 2023 - Auckland campus.Due: 2 June 2023
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 4,
- 5,
Mark: 10%
Reflective Practice Journal B
Due: 29 September 2023
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 5,
Mark: 10%
Presentation B (12 minutes plus 3 minutes for questions).
In person 1-5pm 13 October 2023 - Auckland campus.Due: 13 October 2023
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 4,
- 5,
Mark: 10%
Written research report based on completed fieldwork
Due: 27 October 2023
CLO:
- 1,
- 2,
- 4,
Mark: 60%
End of placement evaluation based on supervisor ratings of professional behaviour - pass/fail
Due: 13 October 2023
CLO:
- 2,
Mark: 0%
Mandatory requirements
In addition to achieving an overall pass mark of at least 50%, students must:
- Attend the placement setting, or complete agreed work in a location agreed by the placement supervisor, for a minimum of 192 hours at times specified by the Placement Supervisor (with due consideration of the student’s other class times).
- Meet the required standards for professional behaviour and research competence while in the agency or organisation, as judged by the field and academic supervisors at the end of placement evaluation.
- Complete and submit all assessment requirements by deadlines agreed with the course co-ordinator.
- Attend on-campus or virtual meetings (e.g., via Zoom) with Academic Supervisor as agreed by both parties.
- Complete any other requirements agreed with the Placement and academic supervisors (i.e., the agreed tasks for completion during the placement).
If you believe that exceptional circumstances may prevent you from meeting the mandatory course requirements, contact the Course Coordinator for advice as soon as possible.
Work submission
All work will be submitted to the supervisor or course coordinator by the date required. Work will be submitted in paper, electronic and/or oral form, or some combination, to be agreed by all parties. Supervisors are committed to returning work in a timely manner, but at some times of the year there may be delays due to other demands.
Extension
Depending on the hand in date and the circumstances, it may be possible to negotiate extensions. Any concerns about completing work on deadline should be raised with the course co-ordinator as soon as the student is aware there may be a problem. An extension cannot be given beyond the assessment period because the student must complete assessment requirements in time to have a grade entered.
Penalties
Reflective practice journal and written research report: If you hand the assignment in late, without prior approval, it will automatically accrue a deduction of 10% of the maximum possible grade for each week that it is overdue (i.e., if it starts off worth 20%; if it is handed in a week after the due date it will be marked out of 18%). Written assignments that exceed the specified word limit will be penalised 10% of the maximum possible grade for each additional 250 words.
Presentation: If a student fails to attend the presentation one alternative date will be given to re-schedule the session for that student. Failure to achieve this by the newly specified date will result in a fail of that assignment.
Placement: There will be no formal penalties for assessment of the placement. For students who cannot attend the scheduled end of placement meting and do not give a reasonable explanation as to why up to 24 hours prior to this meeting, the meeting will go ahead in their absence and they will have the opportunity to respond to written feedback from Supervisors by email.
A detailed account of what happens if a student fails a placement can be found in the Placement Guide available on Nuku.
Communication and additional information
Additional information will be communicated to you by Nuku, email or orally, by the course co-ordinator or Placement Supervisor. Detailed instructions relating to assessment items, can be found in the Placement Guide on Nuku. Deadlines for the presentation will be communicated in writing.
Student feedback
You can view Student course feedback collected for the University courses from the last completed trimester for which feedback was collected
Class representative
The class representative provides a useful way to communicate feedback to the teaching staff during the course. They also work with the VUWSA Education Office on any academic issues that arise in their course. Reps are elected by students by the third week of classes every trimester. Being a rep requires a weekly commitment.
The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington values te reo Māori. Students who wish to submit any of their assessments in te reo Māori must refer to The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy - PDF 134kb
He mea nui te reo Māori ki Te Herenga Waka. Ki te pīrangi koe ki te tuhituhi i ō aro matawai i roto i te reo Māori, tēnā me mātua whakapā atu ki te kaupapa here, The Use of Te Reo Māori for Assessment Policy - PDF 134kb
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Important information
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