The Degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology – DClinPsy

1 A candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) is required to undertake advanced coursework, clinical practice and an original and coherent research project, and to present the outcome of the research project for examination as a thesis.

2 The research project must involve enquiry that is experimental and/or critical in nature and be driven by an intellectual hypothesis, position, problem or question(s) capable of being rigorously explored and of making an original and significant contribution to knowledge and/or understanding in the relevant field(s) of study.

3 The research project must be conducted under supervision and during the period of enrolment in the DClinPsy programme, and must be conducted in accordance with the Research Code of Conduct Policy.

4 The thesis requirement at Regulation 1 must be satisfied by a cohesive written document, which shall not normally exceed 70,000 words.

5 The thesis must be undertaken and completed in accordance with the doctoral thesis policy and procedures.

6 A candidate must successfully complete the thesis and all components of PSYCH 800.

7 a Candidates must meet the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003) for professional and ethical behaviour and comply with the requirements of the Faculty of Science Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedures for the duration of candidature.

b Candidates are subject to the Faculty of Science Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedures.

8 In order for the DClinPsy degree to be awarded, Regulations 6, 7a and 51 must be satisfied, and the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate(s)) must be:

a satisfied that, subject to Regulation 47, the candidate has performed at doctoral level in an oral examination, held in accordance with Regulation 48, on the thesis, the subject of the thesis and the field(s) to which the subject belongs

and

b satisfied, by the examination process prescribed by these regulations, that the thesis:

(i) makes an original and significant contribution to knowledge or understanding in its field(s) and is of direct relevance to the field of clinical psychology

and

(ii) meets internationally recognised standards for such work

and

(iii) demonstrates knowledge of the literature relevant to the subject and the field(s) to which the subject belongs, and demonstrates the ability to exercise critical and analytical judgement of that literature

and

(iv) is satisfactory in its methodology, in the quality and coherence of its expression, and in its scholarly presentation and format.

9 The thesis must be submitted within a maximum of 48 months of full-time equivalent programme enrolment from the initial date of enrolment in the DClinPsy programme, unless a later submission date is permitted by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) in accordance with the doctoral extension of enrolment policy and procedures.

10 The thesis must not be submitted in less than 36 months of full-time equivalent programme enrolment from the initial date of enrolment in the DClinPsy programme.

11 a Except as approved by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) in exceptional circumstances (and subject to course availability), enrolment in the programme must proceed on a full-time basis prior to successful completion of PSYCH 800.

b A candidate may enrol part-time in any remaining thesis component post successful completion of PSYCH 800, subject to the doctoral full-time and part-time enrolment policy and procedures.

c Except as approved by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) in exceptional circumstances, enrolment in the programme must be completed within 48 months of full-time equivalent enrolment from the initial date of enrolment in the DClinPsy programme.

12 A candidate may be permitted to suspend their enrolment subject to the doctoral suspension of enrolment policy and procedures.

13 To be admitted to the DClinPsy programme, applicants must satisfy the University’s Admission regulations, be a New Zealand or Australian citizen or a New Zealand permanent resident and are required to:

a in their most recent attempt at a relevant qualification:

(i) have completed the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology with at least a B+ average at the University of Auckland

or

(ii) have completed the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts or Master of Science in Psychology with at least a B+ average at the University of Auckland

or

(iii) have completed the requirements for a qualification approved by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) as equivalent to a Bachelors Honours or Masters degree in Psychology with at least a B+ average at the University of Auckland

and

b (i) have passed PSYCH 708, 718, 723 at the University of Auckland with at least a B+ average, or the equivalent as approved by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate)

and

(ii) have satisfied the requirements of the doctoral candidate research capacity policy and procedures

and

c demonstrated to the satisfaction of the DClinPsy Admission Board in the School of Psychology, in accordance with the process determined by the Faculty of Science, the qualities necessary for a person seeking to be a Doctor of Clinical Psychology

and

d meet the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003) for professional and ethical behaviour

and

e have satisfied the University of Auckland postgraduate English language requirements and any further requirements for evidence of English language proficiency set by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate)

and

f have a research project approved by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) as consistent with the requirements of Regulation 2 and capable of satisfying the requirements for the award of the DClinPsy degree

and

g have the approval of the Head of Psychology or their nominee for the purposes of doctoral matters (“the Academic Head”) with regard to the availability of appropriate supervision and the availability of the research resources deemed necessary by the Academic Head.

14 An applicant may be considered for off-campus enrolment subject to the doctoral off-campus research policy and procedures.

15 The final decision on admission to the DClinPsy programme shall be made by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate).

16 Admission to the DClinPsy programme may be rescinded prior to enrolment in the programme where information that was not available to the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) at the time the admission decision was made, and which would have resulted in a different decision being made, becomes available, or where, due to circumstances unforeseeable at the time of the decision, supervision and/or necessary resources will no longer be available for the enrolment, or where an applicant does not continue to meet the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003) for professional and ethical behaviour.

17 Admission to the DClinPsy programme is valid for the start date approved by the Academic Head. Where enrolment in the programme does not occur at that time, re-application for admission to the programme is required.

18 Concurrent enrolment in another programme at the University of Auckland or at another institution is not permitted except as approved by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) in exceptional circumstances.

Note: This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Science.

19 The Academic Head is responsible for the provision of supervision for the duration of the candidate’s enrolment.

20 The Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) will appoint at least two supervisors for each candidate in accordance with the doctoral supervision policy and procedures.

21 Changes in supervision during candidature are subject to the doctoral supervision policy and procedures and the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate), with whom the final decision as to the appointment of supervisors rests.

22 Except for any period(s) of suspension approved under Regulation 12, candidates are required to be enrolled continuously from the initial date of enrolment in the DClinPsy programme until the date of thesis submission under Regulations 9–10.

23 Candidature for the DClinPsy degree commences upon enrolment in the DClinPsy programme and continues, regardless of any period(s) of suspension approved under Regulation 12, until the date on which any one of the following occurs:

a notification from the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) that all requirements for the award of the degree at Regulation 8 have been met

b notification from the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) that the final decision under Regulation 50 is that the degree not be awarded

c candidature expires under Regulation 32

d a candidate withdraws from the programme under Regulation 52

e candidature is terminated by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) pursuant to Regulation 53.

24 Candidature is provisional until confirmed, and is subject to the doctoral confirmation of candidature policy and procedures, the doctoral continuation of confirmed candidature policy and procedures, and the doctoral candidature intervention policy and procedures.

25 Except as permitted by the Board of Graduate Studies in exceptional circumstances, a candidate must enrol in 120 points in each of the first three years of full-time equivalent enrolment, and include 105 points of thesis enrolment in the first year of full-time equivalent enrolment, 90 points of thesis enrolment in the second year of full-time equivalent enrolment and 45 points of thesis enrolment in the third year of full-time equivalent enrolment.

26 The following additional confirmation milestones are required for all candidates and are subject to the doctoral confirmation of candidature policy and procedures:

a achievement of Pass grades in the Clinical Practicum 1 competency evaluation and Initial Interview Exam within PSYCH 800

b achievement of a provisional Pass Grade for Case Report 1 within PSYCH 800

c completion of a literature review and methods section of the thesis to the satisfaction of the confirmation review committee

d ethics approval for the research

e initial data collection to the satisfaction of the main supervisor.

27 The following post-confirmation milestones must be placed on candidature at the time of confirmation in the programme in accordance with Regulation 24:

a achievement of Pass grades in the Clinical Practicum 2 and 3 competency evaluations and End of Year Exam within PSYCH 800 prior to the first review of confirmed candidature required under Regulation 24

b achievement of provisional Pass grades for Case Reports 2 and 3 within PSYCH 800 prior to the first review of confirmed candidature required under Regulation 24

c completion of the data collection and analysis of data to the satisfaction of the main supervisor prior to the first review of confirmed candidature required under Regulation 24.

28 Where the outcome of the first continuation of confirmed candidature review under Regulation 24 is the continuation of candidature, the following conditions must be placed on candidature:

a achievement of a Pass grade in the Final Internship competency evaluation within PSYCH 800 prior to the next review of confirmed candidature required under Regulation 24 and prior to submission of the thesis

b achievement of a Pass grade in the Final Clinical Examination within PSYCH 800 prior to the next review of confirmed candidature required under Regulation 24 and prior to submission of the thesis

c achievement of confirmed Pass grades for Case Reports 1–5 within PSYCH 800 prior to the next review of confirmed candidature required under Regulation 24 and prior to submission of the thesis.

Note: For the avoidance of doubt, Pass grades for Case Reports 1–3 are provisional until confirmed by the examiners for the Final Clinical Examination for PSYCH 800.

29 a Where a candidate does not achieve a Pass grade (provisional or otherwise) in a component of PSYCH 800, conditions on candidature pursuant to Regulation 24 may, subject to Regulation 30, include requirements to satisfactorily complete specific additional work and/or revisions and/or examination.

b Where conditions are imposed in accordance with Regulation 29(a) at the conclusion of enrolment in PSYCH 800, the submission of the PSYCH 800 result will be deferred.

c Where any condition imposed in accordance with Regulation 29(a) is not satisfied, the candidate will have failed to successfully complete the relevant component of PSYCH 800.

30 a The provisions of Regulation 29(a) can apply one time only to each component of PSYCH 800.

b Where the examiner(s) of the relevant component of PSYCH 800 determine(s) that a particular weakness is such that it cannot be addressed by the setting of additional work or revisions and/or examination, the provisions of Regulation 29(a) cannot be exercised and the candidate will have failed to successfully complete the relevant component of PSYCH 800.

31 All components of PSYCH 800 must be successfully completed in order for the thesis to be submitted for examination.

32 a Candidature expires when the thesis is not submitted for examination by the date required under Regulation 9.

b Candidature expires when the thesis is not submitted for examination by the date specified by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) pursuant to Regulation 49.

33 Where candidature has expired under Regulation 32, it may be reinstated only as the outcome of a successful application to the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) for a (retrospective) extension of enrolment, or by successful appeal under Regulation 61 of a decision by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) to decline an extension of enrolment (retrospective or otherwise).

34 Enrolment in the DClinPsy programme is not possible where candidature remains expired under Regulation 32 or where a candidate withdraws from the programme under Regulation 52.

35 Termination of candidature under Regulation 53 is also termination of enrolment in the DClinPsy programme for enrolled candidates. Termination of enrolment pursuant to Regulation 7 is also termination of candidature.

36 Candidates who are required, pursuant to Regulation 49, to revise and resubmit their thesis for examination by the date specified by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) are required to be enrolled for the duration of the period of revision of the thesis. The maximum duration of enrolment for revision and resubmission of a thesis pursuant to Regulation 49 is 12 months full-time equivalent.

37 Candidates who wish to be absent from the University in pursuit of their research for more than one month during enrolment are subject to the doctoral off-campus research policy and procedures.

38 Candidates are subject to the Research Code of Conduct Policy and all University statutes, regulations, rules, policies and procedures relating to student conduct and obligations (academic or otherwise) for the duration of candidature.

39 Candidates may change the title of their thesis at any point prior to submission of the thesis for examination, subject to the approval of the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate).

40 All fees required by and pursuant to the Fees Statute must be paid for the duration of enrolment in the DClinPsy programme.

41 Tuition fees are not payable for any period during which enrolment has been suspended under Regulation 12.

42 a A candidate who withdraws from the DClinPsy programme, or who has their candidature terminated, will receive a refund of one-twelfth of the tuition fee paid for the current doctoral year per each complete month of the period between the date of withdrawal from the programme or termination of candidature and the end of the current doctoral year.

b A candidate who submits their thesis will receive a refund of one-twelfth of the tuition fee paid for the current doctoral year per each complete month of the period between the date of submission and the end of the current doctoral year, provided the candidate has been enrolled in the programme for at least 36 months full-time equivalent.

43 Graduation is not permitted until all outstanding monies owing to the University have been paid.

44 The thesis must be submitted in accordance with the doctoral thesis submission procedures – pre examination.

45 PSYCH 800 must be examined in accordance with the doctoral coursework policy and procedures.

46 a For each candidate, the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) will appoint two thesis examiners, at least one of whom must be based outside New Zealand, in accordance with the doctoral appointment of examiners policy and procedures.

b The thesis must be examined in accordance with the doctoral examination procedures and/or, where the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) regards it as warranted, with the doctoral examination extraordinary circumstances and posthumous award procedures.

47 Except where a candidate is exempted pursuant to the doctoral examination extraordinary circumstances and posthumous award procedures, the DClinPsy degree cannot be awarded where an oral examination has not taken place on the thesis.

48 Where the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) determines, under the doctoral examination procedures, that a candidate will proceed to oral examination, the oral examination is to be held in accordance with the doctoral examination procedures and the doctoral oral examination procedures.

49 The Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) will consider all examination reports and recommendations made pursuant to the doctoral examination procedures and determine the outcome of the examination.

50 The final decision as to the award of the DClinPsy degree will be made by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate[s]), who may also be the decision-maker at Regulation 49.

51 The final examined and approved thesis must be submitted in accordance with the doctoral thesis submission procedures – post examination in order for the requirements of the DClinPsy degree to be met.

52 A candidate may withdraw from the DClinPsy programme at any time by notifying the University in writing. Retraction of the programme withdrawal is not permitted.

53 The Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) may terminate the candidature of any enrolled or non-enrolled candidate on any one or more of the following grounds:

a failure to meet the requirements for confirmation of candidature pursuant to Regulation 24

b failure to meet the requirements for continuation of confirmed candidature pursuant to Regulation 24

c failure to satisfy post-confirmation milestones or conditions imposed on candidature pursuant to Regulation 24 or Regulation 27 or Regulation 28

d failure to successfully complete any one or more component(s) of PSYCH 800

e failure to comply with candidature reporting requirements pursuant to Regulation 24

f failure to complete or satisfactorily complete revisions to an examined thesis by the date required by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate)

g failure to comply with the doctoral thesis submission procedures – post examination

h failure to make payment of any tuition fees related to enrolment in the DClinPsy by the due date.

Note: For the avoidance of doubt, termination of candidature pursuant to this Regulation 53 is permanent unless successfully appealed in accordance with Regulation 61.

54 Before the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) makes a decision as to termination of candidature pursuant to Regulation 53, the candidate will be given notice of termination proceedings and allowed fourteen calendar days to make a submission for the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) to take into account in making that decision.

55 Cancellation or prohibition of enrolment and/or candidature pursuant to any disciplinary statute of the University takes precedence over the provisions of these programme regulations.

56 Termination proceedings under the Faculty of Science Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedures take precedence over, and are independent of, Regulations 53 and 54.

57 Where matters of fitness to practise inform the failure to successfully complete a component of PSYCH 800:

a termination proceedings will ensue under the Faculty of Science Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedures

b termination proceedings, which shall exclude consideration of fitness to practise matters considered under Regulation 57a, will ensue pursuant to Regulation 53d only where:

(i) the process required under Regulation 57a has concluded and has not resulted in termination of enrolment

and

(ii) the failure to successfully complete the component of PSYCH 800 was also informed by matters other than fitness to practise.

58 a Where a candidate withdraws from the DClinPsy programme, or has their candidature terminated, or fails to meet the requirement for the award of the DClinPsy, admission to a new DClinPsy or other doctoral programme in Psychology at a later date will not normally be permitted.

b A person who withdraws from any doctoral programme in Psychology (clinical or otherwise) or has their doctoral candidature in Psychology (clinical or otherwise) terminated (or equivalent), or who fails to meet the requirements for the award of a doctoral degree in Psychology (clinical or otherwise), will not normally be admitted to the DClinPsy. For the avoidance of doubt: equivalence is determined by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate).

59 In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) may approve a variation to the policies, procedures and regulations for DClinPsy candidature, except where variation of a national or government directive or requirement is involved.

60 Candidates may appeal decisions made by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) pertaining to suspension and extension of enrolment, subject to the doctoral candidature appeal procedures.

61 A former candidate may appeal the decision made by the Board of Graduate Studies (or delegate) to terminate candidature pursuant to Regulation 53 or to decline an extension of enrolment, subject to the doctoral candidature appeal procedures.

62 Where candidature is terminated pursuant to Regulation 7, right of appeal and the determination of appeals are subject to the Faculty of Science Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedures.

63 Appeals as to extension and suspension of enrolment, and as to termination of candidature pursuant to Regulation 53, will be determined in accordance with the doctoral candidature appeal procedures.

64 Candidates and former candidates may appeal the outcome of a DClinPsy thesis examination only on the grounds that the result was materially impacted by a procedural flaw in the examination process, and subject to the doctoral examination appeal procedures.

65 Appeals as to thesis examination will be determined in accordance with the doctoral examination appeal procedures.

66 Disputes are to be resolved according to the Resolution of Student Academic Complaints and Disputes Statute.

67 Any matter that has been, could have been or could be appealed under the provisions of Regulation 60 or 61 or 64 or under the Faculty of Science Fitness to Practise policy and procedures is precluded from consideration as a dispute under Regulation 66.

68 a The DClinPsy programme is subject to the Limited Entry Statute.

b Candidates are subject to:

(i) the Examination Regulations, the Degrees and Diplomas Statute and the Conferment of Academic Qualifications and Academic Dress Statute

and

(ii) the provisions of the Enrolment and Programme Regulations pertaining to members of the security intelligence service, rescindment and surrender of qualifications and the Provost’s Special Powers.

69 The doctoral policies and procedures cited in these regulations may be reviewed and amended from time-to-time.

70 Candidates are subject to any additional doctoral policies and procedures devised in support of these regulations and amended from time-to-time.

71 These regulations may be reviewed and amended from time-to-time.

72 These regulations came into force on 1 January 2022.