The APS College Of Counselling Psychologists Doctoral Award promotes the conduct of scientific research relevant to practice issues and the dissemination of research findings to the community of counselling psychologist practitioners by acknowledging the overall best student completing an APAC-accredited doctoral program in Counselling Psychology at an Australian tertiary institution in that calendar year.

Each doctoral thesis will be assessed having regard to the following criteria: 

1. originality of contribution to counselling psychology literature - 30% 
2. degree of relevance to the practice of counselling psychology - 30% 
3. cogency of the work - 30% 
4. presentation and adherence to APA referencing requirements - 10%.

Each member of the selection committee will independently rate each entrant on the above criteria and the successful candidate and runner-up will be selected upon the basis of the aggregate of the marks awarded by each member of the selection committee.

In the event that two theses receive the same aggregate of marks, the members of the selection committee will confer and may consider any other aspects in addition to those set out above in order to determine which thesis is best overall.

Following a specific request from a student, members of the selection committee may provide general feedback on a student's thesis, but are not obliged to do so.

Candidates must be full-time or part-time students currently enrolled in an APAC-accredited counselling psychology doctoral program either at the time of application or in the year preceding the date of their nomination.

• Address: College of Counselling Psychologists Doctoral Award Member Group Administrator (Colleges) The Australian Psychological Society PO Box 38 Flinders Lane 8009 VIC
• Phone: 03 8662 3300
• Email: colleges@psychology.org.au