The aim of this paper is to provide the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in the professional practice of psychology, both generally and specifically in relation to community psychology. Of particular concern are issues relating to cultural competence and bicultural practice and understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the professional practice of psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand. Students who have completed this paeper will have developed an in-depth understanding of ethical principles and other professional issues relevant to the practice of community psychology.

For the duration of their enrolment in the paper, students must maintain a Weekly Practice Log, in which students note their activities performed over the last week and the professional and ethical issues related to those activities. The Practice Log is intended to form the basis of supervision meetings, in which students and their supervisors discuss how they have addresed issues arising in their practice, alternative responses that might have been taken, and how relevant psychological theory and research can be used to address these issues.

Full-time students are required to complete 40 weekly practice log entries. The Weekly Practice Log forms the basis of, and is included in, the Project/Casework Folio (requied for assessment in PSYCH543). As noted elsewhere, the Project Casework Folio is submitted for the final examination. Students enrol in this paper (PSYCH542) concurrently with PSYCH541 and PSYCH543. Combined with these, PSYCH542 involves regular supervision meetings.

This paper (PSYCH542) is taken concurrently with PSYCH541 and PSYCH543. Combined with these, PSYCH542 involves regular coursework/supervision meetings. This paper (PSYCH542) has a particular focus on coursework.The meetings will cover material relevant for the practice of community psychology and will helpt to develop rofessional skills and knowledge, as well as aid in the writing of the case studies.

The material for this paper will be covered in three ways:

1. Students will negotiate with their supervisor nomination of appropriate reading(s) that will inform their practice and some of which will be relevant to their learning plan and case studies;
2. Professional practice issues will be raised and discussed at the regular meetings; and
3. Some of the regular meetings will be designated for covering specific topics of relevance (as identified in the learning plan) and there will be a lecture or workshop presentation or discussion of specifically designated readings at this session(s)

All assessment for the PGDipPracPsych(Comm) is on a pass/fail basis. A final oral examination is undertaken in which a formally convened panel reviews assessment across all three papers and examines the student's competence in relation to the Community Psychology core competencies. To be eligible to proceed to examination, students will need to have:

• regularly attended coursework/supervision meetings, and
• undertaken the pre-examination review meeting, and
• submitted all of the following:
  • 5 case studies (3 of which have been externally reviewed; PSYCH541)
  • their completed weekly practice logs(PSYCH542)
  • their case work folio (PSYCH543)
  • all supervisor assessments
  • stakeholder feedback

Students are expected to enrol in PSYCH541, PSYCH542 and PSYCH543 concurrently. This means that each paper is directly relevant to the other and should be considered as a programme of learning.

Part way through the enrolment, a mid-internship review will take place. The mid-internship review is an opportunity to take stock of your progress and identify areas you need to work on in the time remaining before the final oral examination. It is also an important milestone for updating your learning plan (see Internship Handbook p 15). It will be conducted at the mid-point of your internship (after six months for full-time students; twelve months for part-time students) or as soon thereafter as possible. At least two, but preferably three, of your case studies should have been completed before the review. These case studies will be madeavailable to the people conducting your review.