PSY6106 Psychopathology A
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
PSY6106 Psychopathology A is a level 6, 0-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Notting Hill. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 3 units.
- Credit points
- 0
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Notting Hill
- Assessment
- Has an exam
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 33 hours
- per semester
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before PSY6106
No prerequisites or corequisites.
After PSY6106
3 units list PSY6106 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
In this unit, you will develop a foundational knowledge of psychopathology and high prevalence psychiatric disorders, with a focus on the core clinical skills required for effective mental health practice: clinical assessment and diagnosis of mental health conditions. There is a strong emphasis on integrating theory with clinical practice throughout this unit. You will participate in a range of teaching and learning activities including weekly seminars, clinical skills practice, and self-reflection exercises. These activities are designed to complement clinical training activities and other coursework units, and to support professional engagement with the community
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Notting Hill | Immersive |
Assessment
- Client evaluation report & mental status examination (written submission max. 1000 words) Pass/FailWrittenCompetency hurdle-
- Psychopathology evaluation report (written submission 2000 words and 4 pages maximum) Pass/FailWrittenCompetency hurdle-
- Demonstration & reflection: Clinical interviewing skills ( written - 500-750 words) Pass/FailDemonstrationCompetency hurdle-
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe and discuss major classes of psychiatric illness based on DSM-5 nosology and emerging trends for diagnosis.
- 2
Synthesise clinical information and related literature into a concise and contemporary written evaluation of selected psychiatric disorders.
- 3
Conduct a psychiatric clinical interview to assess and differentiate between high prevalence psychiatric disorders.
- 4
Observe and document Mental State Examination (MSE).
- 5
Critically analyse and reflect on psychological knowledge to inform diagnostic assessment, clinical evaluation, and ongoing professional development needs.
Workload and teaching
- Applied sessions2 hours
- Seminars33 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
11 seminars of 3 hours for a total of 33 hours.
1 asynchronous applied session of 2 hours that utilises video resources of clinical interviews focused on mental status examination, assessment of risk, and high prevalence disorders. This material will consolidate learning from synchronous delivery.
Preparation / self-directed study: 1 hour per week for seminars, 2 hours for the applied session and 12 hours preparation for assessment tasks.
The teaching approach in the unit will consist of:
- Seminars to present and discuss a range of mental health presentations and psychiatric disorders in an interactive context;
- Role play exercises and demonstrations to support the development of clinical skills;
- The use of case studies to assist in the teaching and learning of assessment and diagnosis.
- You are expected to actively participate in all activities in a professional manner.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Ms Jessica Law
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Clare Kempnich
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PSY6106?
PSY6106 has no prerequisites.
What can I take after PSY6106?
PSY6106 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 3 units, including PSY6205, PSY6206 and PSY6301.
When is PSY6106 offered?
In 2026, PSY6106 runs in Semester 1 at Notting Hill.
How much work is PSY6106?
The handbook expects about 33 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does PSY6106 have an exam?
Yes, it has an exam, alongside 2 other tasks.