EDF5571 Advanced psychological assessment and diagnosis
Faculty of Education
EDF5571 Advanced psychological assessment and diagnosis is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Education, offered in 2025 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs EDF5561, EDF5563 and EDF5562 and unlocks 3 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before EDF5571
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After EDF5571
3 units list EDF5571 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
The focus of this unit is to develop advanced competencies in psychological assessment from an educational and developmental perspective. You will acquire an advanced knowledge of cognitive and educational assessment; specific learning disorders, learning processes, and the educational curriculum; and the assessment of behavioural disorders and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and communication disorders. A particular focus will be on differential diagnosis of neurodevelopmental and psychosocial disorders, and dual diagnosis, using the DSM-5 diagnostic framework. You will develop advanced skills in the use of standardised assessment tools and apply a psychometric approach to the identification of individual differences across the lifespan. You will critically debate and review the process of psychological assessment in learning and development, as well as ethical, cultural, and professional issues. This unit fits into the framework of the course as it assists with evidence-based psychological assessment, case conceptualisation, and intervention planning in an educational and developmental context.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Term 1 | Clayton | Bld blk |
Assessment
- Quizzes (1600 words or equivalent)Quiz / Test40%
- Complex diagnostic assessment report, video feedback, and reflection (2400 words or equivalent)Written60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
demonstrate advanced knowledge of psychological assessment for learning and development
- 2
demonstrate advanced knowledge of the professional ethical, cultural and psychometric issues that arise when assessing and reporting on the cognitive and academic abilities, and individual differences across the lifespan
- 3
demonstrate the ability to select appropriate and culturally sensitive means of assessment for individuals of different ages and deficits or strengths
- 4
demonstrate advanced skills in administration and scoring of intelligence tests, psychopathology and personality instruments, behavioural instruments, and tests of academic attainment suitable for use with individuals and groups across the lifespan, and diverse cultural groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including the administration and scoring of tests for individuals with sensory and neurological deficits
- 5
demonstrate advanced written and verbal communication skills in reporting the conclusions of testing for various purposes such as ascertainment for eligibility of funding, curriculum adjustment, or intervention planning and for different audiences such as parents, teachers and other professionals
- 6
demonstrate advanced reflective skills regarding their personal role, interpersonal skills, impact, collaboration skill, responsibilities and relationships as a clinician reporting psycho-educational assessments and recommendations.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
You will be provided with the opportunity to engage with relevant literature and resources. Further, you will be encouraged to deepen your understanding of topic areas through, collegial discussion and debate, and by participating in activities designed to extend your understanding.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Please visit the unit Moodle site for further information.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Chiara McDowell
- Unit Coordinators
- Chiara McDowell
Common questions
What can I take after EDF5571?
EDF5571 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 3 units, including EDF5261, EDF5732 and EDF5733.
When is EDF5571 offered?
In 2025, EDF5571 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
How much work is EDF5571?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does EDF5571 have an exam?
No. EDF5571 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.