Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

Applications for February 2024 are now closed!

Key Facts

Course Code: PY091
Location: Hawthorn East
Study Load: Full-time (2 years)
Delivery Mode: In-Person
Intake: Semester 1 each year
Application Type: Domestic and International
Fees: $77,143.92* (domestic)
$85,963.92* (international)
FEE-HELP: Yes
CRICOS code: 092972G
Post-nominal: MPsych(Clin)

Course Overview

The Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) program prepares students for professional practice and undertaking a Psychology Board of Australia approved registrar program, leading to endorsement as a clinical psychologist. Clinical psychology focuses on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of complex clinical disorders across the life span. Students will develop advanced knowledge, skills and experience in psychopathology, assessment and therapeutic interventions.

Students participate in over 1,000 hours of supervised work placements and undertake qualitative or quantitative research into aspects of psychological interventions, such as the therapeutic process, client and therapist experiences, change processes, various presenting issues and studies of treatment outcomes.

Students also undertake advanced coursework units, which are central to the practice of clinical psychology, as well as units of professional skills development and training.

All teaching staff are experienced clinicians and academics who are committed to advancing the field of psychology through their own work and their interaction with students.

What more does this course offer you?

  • Robust supervised placement program – three internal CMI clinics and deep links with industry and professional agencies.
  • Opportunities for all students to observe practicing clinical psychologists in public mental health settings.
  • Coverage of multiple therapeutic modalities (including CBT and psychodynamic approaches, as well as Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Family Systems approaches).
  • Subjects to equip you for the demands of professional practice across a range of settings including public mental health, private practice, health and hospital settings and community agencies.

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 closed!

Course Structure

This program consists of 200 credit points. Students undertake a total of 15 units of study consisting of eight coursework units (100 credit points), four placement units (50 credit points) and three research units (50 credit points).

Year One

Semester Unit Code Unit Name Credit Points
FULL YEAR
(1 & 2)
CLN560 Supervised Clinical Placement A & B 12.5
1 CLN503 Professional Practice and Professional Ethics 12.5
1 CLN551 Research Project A 12.5
1 CLN502 Psychological Assessment, Diagnostic Testing and Interview Competencies 12.5
1 CLN501 Cognitive-Behavioural Processes and Interventions 12.5
2 CLN552 Research Project B 12.5
2 CLN504 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology and Intervention 12.5

 

Year Two

Semester Unit Code Unit Name Credit Points
1 CLN603 Interpersonal Processes & Therapeutic Practices 12.5
1 CLN653 Research Project C 12.5
1 CLN662 Supervised Clinical Placement C 12.5
1 CLN602 Adult Psychopathology and Intervention 12.5
2 CLN604 Psychodynamic Therapy 12.5
2 CLN663 Supervised Clinical Placement D 12.5
2 CLN654 Research Project D 12.5
2 CLN601 Health Psychology​ 12.5

 

Entry Requirements

Applicants to this program must have successfully completed a four year, or three plus fourth year, APAC accredited sequence in psychology within the last ten years, obtaining a minimum weighted average mark of 75 (upper second-class Honours) overall.

Applicants must also be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. See Pathways & Registration.

An order-of-merit for entry will be prepared, taking into account (a) academic record, (b) previous work experience and training, (c) academic and professional referee reports and (d) admissions interview.

Please see the how to apply page for detailed instructions on submitting an application. Documentation required in the application includes:

  • Most recent academic transcripts.
  • A current Curriculum Vitae (resume).
  • A 500-word personal statement outlining why you wish to study this course at Cairnmillar.
  • Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate)
  • One academic and one professional reference using the HODSPA reference system.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with members of Cairnmillar’s academic faculty. This provides applicants with the opportunity to discuss any questions they have about the course of study. Further information on interviews can be found on our FAQ page here.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are those skills, values and behaviours which must be demonstrated by students in order that they successfully complete the program of study. As a guide for prospective and current students, a series of inherent requirement statements have been developed that relate to student admission and progression through the course.  These requirements are mandatory; however, there may be some flexibility in how they can be demonstrated. Click here to view the Inherent Requirements.

Graduate Learning Outcomes

Students who satisfactorily complete this course will be able to demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge in the following areas:

  • Theoretical knowledge, clinical skills and qualifications to practice as a clinical psychologist.
  • Gain the clinical skills to assess, diagnosis, and treat, various mental illnesses and conditions.
  • Ability to conduct evidence-based interventions with individuals, children, adolescents, families and groups.
  • Gain the professional competencies required to conduct a range of psychometric assessments.
  • Acquire the knowledge and skills to conduct applied research and evaluate programs in the discipline and practice of clinical psychology.
  • Acquire the skills to investigate, analyse and synthesize complex information, problems, concepts, and theories in clinical psychological practice.

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
  • Teaching and supervision
  • Program and policy development and evaluation
  • Tertiary education and universities
  • Clinical rehabilitation services
  • And many more…

On completion of this course, graduates will be eligible to apply for:

  • A Psychology Board of Australia approved Clinical Psychology Registrar program, as the pathway to gaining endorsement as a clinical psychologist.
  • Full membership to the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and associate membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

Accreditation

The Master of Psychology (Clinical) is a Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) accredited program and sits within level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Further information on accreditation can be found on the APAC website, as well as in APAC’s publicly available accreditation reports.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants to this program may apply to be granted credit or partial credit towards the qualification, in recognition of previous experience where an equivalence of earlier learning can be established.

Credit transfer for an APAC accredited course is only applicable for recently completed APAC accredited postgraduate programs. Credit or partial credit is not granted in recognition of knowledge or skills gained through work or life experience.

The granting of credit for placements on the basis of previous experience gained as a registered psychologist is not permitted by APAC.

Cairnmillar’s RPL policy can be viewed here and further information can be found here.

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