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
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. 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.
Testimonials
I loved doing this certificate, I loved the applied assessment and found the content very interesting and easy to understand.
Danel | Deception Bay, QLD | Certificate of Psychological Assessment
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Add to Cart/View Cart on the course page.
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
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 course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
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.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS 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 only 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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