Key Facts
Course Overview
An online program designed for those who already hold general registration as a psychologist, the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post-Registration) is a standalone AQF level 9 program leading to professional competencies in clinical psychology.
You will gain integral knowledge of the discipline, including assessment and diagnosis of a variety of clinical presentations, ethical and legal requirements for competent practice, understanding the theoretical frameworks and psychometric properties behind empirical research, cultural competence and the selection and performance of evidence-based interventions.
This online program is delivered nationally around Australia and is designed to provide flexibility to those already working as clinicians. Placement can also be completed in one’s home state.
This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). On successful completion of this course, graduates will be eligible to undertake a Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) Registrar Program in clinical psychology.
“The Cairnmillar Institute’s Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) course offered exactly what I needed. I had already heard great things about the Institute, and I can honestly not speak highly enough of them.” James Serpesedes, 2022 Graduate. Read more about James’ experience here.
2023 Course Information Session
Application Period
1 August to 31 October 2022. Late applications will not be accepted.
Course Structure
The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post-Registration) consists of 100 credit points. This includes four coursework units (50 credit points), one research unit (12.5 credit points) and three practical placement units (37.5 credit points). Part-time study involves four units per year, over two semesters.
This program is delivered online, with 1-3 hours of synchronous or asynchronous online learning per week during teaching time. Students should allow approximately 10 additional hours of personal study time per unit each week.
Part-time (2 year) course structure:
Year | Semester | Unit Code | Unit Name | Credit Points |
1 | 1 | CLP601 | Clinical Psychology: Theory and Practice (Ethical, Professional, Assessment & Intervention Competencies) |
12.5 |
1 | 1 | CLP604 | Psychopathology and Intervention for Adults | 12.5 |
1 | 2 | CLP602 | Advanced Assessment for Clinical Psychologists | 12.5 |
1 | 2 | CLP603 | Psychopathology and Intervention for Children and Youth | 12.5 |
2 | 1 | CLP664/CLP674 | Supervised Clinical Placement A | 18.75 |
2 | 1 | CLP65x | Evidence-based Project A | 6.25 |
2 | 2 | CLP665/CLP675 | Supervised Clinical Placement B | 18.75 |
2 | 2 | CLP65x | Evidence-based Project B | 6.25 |
Entry Requirements
Documentation required in the application includes:
- Academic transcripts from all prior higher education studies in psychology.
- A Curriculum Vitae (resume).
- A 500-word personal statement outlining how the nine-admission criteria (below) have been satisfied.
- Note: Some of these points can and will be answered in your CV and academic transcripts.
- Proof of residency/citizenship in the form of a passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate.
- Note: CMI cannot accept driver’s licenses as proof of identity/citizenship, so please do not provide one.
- Academic and/or professional references as per admission criteria #5 below. A guide on how to use the system is available here.
Please see the How to Apply page for detailed instructions on navigating Cairnmillar’s online Application Portal.
IMPORTANT: You must ensure that the application provides evidence of satisfying the following nine criteria (i.e., in the CV and personal statement):
- Successful completion of a four-year, or three-year plus a fourth year, APAC-accredited sequence in psychology. Where the applicant’s psychology study has been completed more than ten years ago, evidence of psychological knowledge and skill maintenance is required.
- Have held general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and practiced for a minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent, without conditions upon this registration.
- Evidence of strong academic skill, including, for example, overall grades of 2B or higher during a four-year APAC approved program, or Distinctions/High Distinctions for the Master of Psychology course completed. Where this is not met, there is discussion of relevant reasons for and reflections on why this criterion was not met, including an explanation of how the applicant has shown continued professional development since qualification.
- Applicants must demonstrate a developed or developing professional identity, with evidence of a broad range of experience working in the psychology industry.
- Applicants must provide TWO professional OR academic referees via the HODSPA psychology reference portal (NOTE: your current professional supervisor can act as an academic reference if required. For more information, please see our FAQ page).
- Applicants must demonstrate strong commitment and motivation to complete the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) program. They are required to articulate a well-considered plan to ensure they can engage fully in the requirements of the program, including attendance at fortnightly mandatory tutorials, placement and supervision requirements and completion of all required coursework.
- The applicant is willing to engage in placements meeting the criteria required as part of the post-registration program, including a range of diverse settings and clients. Where a student aims to self-source their placements, they should outline a well-defined, considered plan as to how they will procure suitable placements and supervision which meet the requirements of the placement component of the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) program.
- The applicant has, or is willing to obtain, a current Working with Children Check. This is a requirement for any internal or external placement.
- The applicant is willing and able to attend a panel interview with members of the academic staff during the selection process for the program.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to successfully pass an interview process and referee check to demonstrate APAC level three professional competencies. An order-of-merit for entry will be prepared, taking in to account:
- Academic record
- Previous work experience and training
- Academic and professional referees’ reports
- Admissions interview
*Those offered an interview will be provided with access to a free, short course that will enable them to sit this brief multiple choice exam with confidence. Applicants will have several weeks to prepare for and take the exam. Further information will be provided to applicants once an application is submitted.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Cairnmillar’s clinical psychology programs are highly sought after for their academic acumen and professional suitability. They have an appreciation of the breadth and depth of psychological practice and are creative and flexible in their thinking.
Graduates are committed to working within the scientist-practitioner model and using interventions and assessments that have been empirically validated. They are familiar working with a range of clients and severity of presentations. Their practice is ethical and culturally sensitive.
Students who satisfactorily complete the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) will have achieved advanced knowledge and skills in the following areas of study:
- Apply the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS) Code of Ethics as well as relevant legislation that informs current professional practice.
- Develop knowledge of a broad range of assessment measures and demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical frameworks and psychometric properties that support their empirical validation.
- Demonstrate an understanding of a select range of empirically validated interventions suitable for use with adults and children.
- Demonstrate an understanding of interventions used for work with clients who have complex presentations.
- Demonstrate an expert understanding of a topic relevant to Clinical Psychology. This understanding is exhibited by the ability to: interpret previous findings and developments relevant to their research in Clinical Psychology and devise an original research project that is based on sound and current research methods.
Fees & Scholarships
**Total fees are estimates only based on the current fee schedule. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases applies, see: Fees & Scholarships.
For information on tuition fees and what scholarships might apply to this course, please visit the Fees & Scholarships page.
Career Opportunities & Study Pathways
Graduates will be required to complete a PsyBA approved supervision plan to be accepted as registrars, followed by two years of supervised practice for the purpose of gaining endorsement in the area of clinical psychology and becoming clinical practitioners with Medicare.
Clinical psychologists are trained in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological conditions. They can seek employment in a variety of settings, including:
- Private practice
- Community mental health centres
- Psychiatric hospital settings
- Tertiary education and universities
- Clinical rehabilitation services
- And many more…
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as a Clinical Psychology Registrar. Upon completing two years of supervised and PsyBA approved practice, graduates will be eligible to apply for an Area of Practice Endorsement in clinical psychology.
Graduates will also be eligible for Associate Membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists and upon completion of a registrar program, are eligible to apply for full membership (Fellowship).
Accreditation
The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post-Registration) is accredited with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and sits within level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
This program is conditionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Further information on conditional accreditation can be found on the APAC website, as well as in APAC’s publicly available accreditation reports.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of previous experience.
Typically, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course. Credit or partial credit towards a qualification cannot be granted in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience unless students can demonstrate that they have been assessed on the competencies. There is no RPL for life experience.
Cairnmillar’s RPL policy can be viewed here and further information can be found here.
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