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
Please note: Cairnmillar’s courses are subject to minimum and maximum group numbers. Courses may be cancelled or postponed if minimum numbers are not achieved by the start date of the course. Courses may close prior to the start date if the maximum numbers are reached. In that situation, eligible applicants will be offered a place in the next available intake.
Application Period
Applications for February 2024 are now open & will close on the 31st of October!
Information Evening
21 September and 3 October 2023 - 6.00pm to 6.45pm. Register @ https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/events/
Course Structure
The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post-Registration) consists of 100 credit points. This includes four coursework units (50 credit points), two research-focussed units (6.25 credit points each) and two practical placement units (37.5 credit points). The program is available part time only, and 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 | CLP651 | Evidence-based Project A | 6.25 |
| 2 | 2 | CLP665/CLP675 | Supervised Clinical Placement B | 18.75 |
| 2 | 2 | CLP652 | Evidence-based Project B | 6.25 |
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements
- 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 OR have completed an APAC-accredited Level-3 (Master of Professional Psychology) qualification and currently hold general registration as a psychologist.
- 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).
- The applicant has, or is willing to obtain, a current Working with Children Check. This is a requirement for any internal or external placement.
Selection Criteria
- ACADEMIC SKILLS: An applicant’s evidence of previous study must demonstrate 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 Professional Psychology course completed.
- CLINICAL EXPERIENCE: An applicant’s CV and application must demonstrate a developed or developing professional identity, with evidence of a broad range of experience working in the psychology industry.
- PROFESSIONAL STANDING: The applicant’s application and referee reports must indicate sound clinical judgement, professional/ethical behaviour and suitability for post graduate study
- SUITABILITY FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDY: The applicants application form should articulate a well-considered plan to ensure they can engage fully in the requirements of the program, including attendance at placements, supervision, and tutorials.
Application REQUIREMENTS & Process
Applications close on 31st October 2023. Documentation required in the application includes:
- Academic transcripts from all prior higher education studies in psychology.
- A Curriculum Vitae (resume).
- A completed application form
- 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.
- Two referee reports. A combination of academic and/or professional references
A shortlist will be prepared based on the application information provided above, and shortlisted candidates contacted in November 2023.
- Shortlisted candidates will then be required to complete 2 additional tasks: the Cairnmillar Psychology Competency Exam (a 25-question multiple choice exam) and submit a 5-minute video. Further details on both of these requirements will be provided to shortlisted applicants after the applications close.
There are no face to face or online interviews used in the application process. Please see the How to Apply page for detailed instructions on navigating Cairnmillar’s online Application Portal.
A final order-of-merit for entry will be prepared, taking in to account:
- Academic record
- Responses provided in the application form
- Academic and professional referee reports
- Performance in the Cairnmillar Psychology Competency Exam
- Performance in the 5-minute video (applicable to short listed applicants only)
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.
Additional information
Shortlisted candidates sitting the Cairnmillar Psychology Competency Exam 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, which will be offered on multiple dates. Further information will be provided to applicants who are shortlisted, alongside further information on the requirements for the 5-minute video.
Successful applicants who have not previously obtained an APAC Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) will also be required to complete a brief research-based written task prior to enrolment to demonstrate the completion of APAC professional competency 3.17 (completing a research thesis). Generally speaking, anyone who has not completed an APAC Level 3 qualification (usually an MPP program) will need to complete it; an APAC Level 2 course (Honours / 4th year) is not sufficient. You will be advised of whether you are required to undertake the research task once you have been offered a place. Completed research reports will be due prior to census date in Semester 1 2024.
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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