Explore the use of psychological testing – a tool that provides valuable information about perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and cognitive functioning such as learning and memory. This course is ideal for those who work in psychology, counselling, research, education, human resources or management.
The Certificate of Psychological Assessment is an online program that will provide insight into what can be tested, appropriate use of psychological tests, and how these types of tests are constructed.
In this professional development course, you will learn to determine when to use certain types of psychological assessments, their pros and cons, and test reliability and validity.
You will also learn about ethical factors that constrain clinical assessment, how behavioural assessment can be conducted, and understand the difference between a structured and unstructured interview in psychological assessments.
On completion of this course, you will have a foundation knowledge of how and why psychological assessment is performed. However, further training will be required to conduct individual psychological tests.
Course Structure
Unit - Psychological Assessment
Unit 1 – Introduction
- What is psychological assessment
- Types of psychological tests
- Achievement tests
- Aptitude tests
- Intelligence tests
- Occupational tests
- Personality tests
- History of psychological testing
- Justification for using tests
- Advantages and disadvantages of using psychometric testing
- Ethnicity and different cultures
- Psychological testing of language minority and culturally different children
- Why your child should be tested
- Why it is important for parents to know about testing
- Validity and reliability
- Construct, discriminant and convergent validity
- Test retest reliability
Unit 2 – Context of clinical assessment
- Ethical practice
- Confidentiality
- Case study: confidentiality
- Informed consent
- Record keeping
- Dual relationships
- Professional boundaries
- Selecting tests
- Case study: ethics and lie detection
- Computer assisted assessment
- Virtual reality; new tool for psychological assessment
- Personality traits and designing a questionnaire
- Weaknesses
- Ambiguity and bias
- Closed and open questions
Unit 3 – The assessment interview
- The interview
- Screening for psychological disorders
- Structured and unstructured interviews
- SCID
- Assessing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among veterans
- Screening and referral procedure overview
- If patient refuses referral to mental health care
- Use of a primary care screen
- Discussing screening results with patients
- Discern if traumatic events are ongoing
- Making a recommendation
- Scheduling a follow up
- Psychometric properties of SCID
Unit 4 – Behavioural assessment
- Behaviourism
- Kinds of consequences
- Reinforcers
- Intrinsic and extrinsic reinforcers
- Consequences and timing
- The premack principle
- Extinction
- Criticisms of behaviourism
- Methods of behavioural assessment
- The focus of assessment
- Functional analysis
- Analysis of problem behaviour
- Motivational analysis
- Behavioural vs traditional assessment
Unit 5 – Wechsler intelligence scales
- Introduction
- Measuring intelligence
- Cognitive, cognitive contextual and biological theories
- Psychometric theories
- Wechsler Intelligence scales
- Normal results
- Sub tests, verbal subtests, performance subtests
- Cultural bias
- Precautions with intelligence testing
- The intelligence test as a tool
Unit 6 – Wechsler Memory scales
- Memory
- Wechsler Memory test
- Wechsler Memory Scale III
Unit 7 – Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Assessment
- Problems
- False negatives; false positives
Assessment
When you study with Australian Online Courses you will be assessed using a competency-based training method. Competency-based training focuses on a learner’s ability to receive, respond to and process information to achieve a competency result. As such, skills-based and knowledge assessments are geared towards attainment to meet industry-defined standards.
Assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, including short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no entry requirements or pre-requisites for entry into this program.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 50 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Counsellors
- Market Researchers
- Education Staff
- Psychotherapists
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