PSYC71-403: Principles of Psychological Assessment

Description

This subject provides students with an introduction to the principles of psychological assessment. The subject examines the rationale for psychological assessment and covers topics such as test norms, reliability, validity, test development, and test item analysis. The subject provides an overview and critical evaluation of various tests currently used within applied areas of psychology, with an emphasis on personality and cognitive assessment. The tutorial program and assessment are designed to assist students' understanding of the content covered in the lectures and to give students an appreciation of the issues and difficulties surrounding test construction.

Subject details

Type: Postgraduate Subject
Code: PSYC71-403
EFTSL: 0.125
Faculty: Faculty of Society and Design
Semesters offered:
  • January 2026 [Standard Offering]
  • May 2026 [Standard Offering]
Credit: 10
Study areas:
  • Psychology, Criminology, and Social Sciences
Subject fees:
  • Commencing in 2025: $5,520.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $5,630.00
  • Commencing in 2027: $5,830.00
  • Commencing in 2025: $6,340.00
  • Commencing in 2026: $6,630.00
  • Commencing in 2027: $6,930.00

Learning outcomes

  1. Apply ethical principles and professional standards to psychological assessment, including the National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce
  2. Communicate psychological assessment findings in written formats appropriate to pre-professional and scholarly audiences, using APA conventions.
  3. Apply advanced and specialised knowledge of psychological assessment, including psychometric theory and the principles of test construction.
  4. Apply basic psychological assessment strategies, including psychometric theory and the principles underpinning the construction, implementation and interpretation of widely used standardised test instruments.
  5. Apply culturally responsive and culturally safe approaches to psychological assessment, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
  6. Contribute productively to a team developing a psychological scale, negotiating roles and integrating diverse perspectives.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil
Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions: This subject is not available to
  • Study Abroad Students

The Master of Psychology (Clinical) and Master of Professional Psychology programs are accredited pathways towards registration as a Psychologist. Entry into these programs is based on a calculated GPA derived from a completed four year sequence of study in Psychology as accredited by APAC as well as invitation into the degree. As such, this subject can only be taken by those students successfully admitted to the degree.

This subject is not available as a general elective. To be eligible for enrolment, the subject must be specified in the students’ program structure.

Subject outlines

Subject dates

  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 16/11/2025
    Semester start: 19/01/2026
    Subject start: 19/01/2026
    Last enrolment: 01/02/2026
    Teaching census: 13/02/2026
    Withdraw - Financial: 14/02/2026
    Withdraw - Academic: 07/03/2026
  • Standard Offering
    Enrolment opens: 22/03/2026
    Semester start: 18/05/2026
    Subject start: 18/05/2026
    Last enrolment: 31/05/2026
    Teaching census: 12/06/2026
    Withdraw - Financial: 13/06/2026
    Withdraw - Academic: 04/07/2026
Standard Offering
Enrolment opens: 16/11/2025
Semester start: 19/01/2026
Subject start: 19/01/2026
Last enrolment: 01/02/2026
Teaching census: 13/02/2026
Withdraw - Financial: 14/02/2026
Withdraw - Academic: 07/03/2026