Program Overview

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Introduction to the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Programme

The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Programme at the University of South Africa is a comprehensive, three-year, full-time coursework degree. It is a professional, selection-based degree that leads to registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Clinical Psychologist.

Programme Overview

The programme is rigorous and requires students to be dedicated, hard-working, and committed to being trained as Clinical Psychologists. In addition to academic requirements, there is a strong emphasis on personal and professional development. Students can be asked to leave the programme at any time due to unprofessional and/or unethical behavior, lack of professional development, and conduct.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the programme is open to candidates in possession of an Honours degree in Psychology or an accredited BPsych degree, with a minimum of 60% average. International students must meet the English language requirement. Candidates with a criminal record or criminal charges against them are not eligible to apply.

Application Process

Applications for the programme open in May and close in May of the same year. All applications must be done online, and no hard-copy applications will be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. A recent police clearance certificate from the South African Police Services (SAPS) is required.

Selection Process

The selection process involves a thorough review of application forms, followed by selection interviews. The selection interviews will be conducted face-to-face or online, and applicants will be informed of the logistics of the selection week if invited for interviews. The selection process is rigorous, and only a limited number of applicants are selected annually.

Programme Structure

The programme covers theoretical, practical, and research training over three full-time academic years, including an internship. All modules must be successfully completed and passed with a minimum of 50% to obtain the degree.

Year 1 Modules

• PYC590: Ethics, Legislation, and Professional Psychological Practice
• PYC5902: Ecosystemic Theories
• PYC5903: Psychopathology and Psychodiagnostics
• PYC5904: Psychological Assessment
• PYC5905: Child and Adult Therapeutic Skills and Strategies
• PYC5911: Community Mental Health Care Practice
• MPCHS91: Research Proposal

Year 2 Modules

• PYC5906: Psychological and Psycho-legal Assessment
• PYC5907: Neuropsychology and Neuropsychological Assessment
• PYC5908: African Epistemologies
• PYC5909: Family Therapy: Theory and Practice
• PYC5912: Psycho-Legal Intervention and Practice
• PYC5913: Clinical Psychotherapeutic Practice
• PYC5914: Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy
• DLCPS91: Dissertation of Limited Scope

Year 3 Modules

• PYC5915: Clinical Psychology Internship
• DLCPS91: Dissertation of Limited Scope

Theoretical Aspects

The theoretical aspects of the programme cover various topics, including:

• Ecosystemic Psychology
• Psychotherapy (child, individual, group, and family psychotherapy)
• Psychological Assessment
• Psychopathology and Psychodiagnostics
• Neuropsychology
• African Epistemology
• Psycho-legal Psychology
• Community Psychology
• Family Therapy
• Group Psychotherapy
• Research
• Ethics and professional psychological practices

Practical Aspects

The practical aspects of the programme include the application of theoretical aspects in various contexts, such as:

• Unisa Psychotherapy Clinic
• Community-based practical sites
• Psychiatric and Psycho-legal practical sites
• Clinic and case management
• Liaison with referral agents and other related professionals
• Training in report writing
• Group dynamics through experiential group processes

Research

The research component of the programme includes:

• Weekly research seminars
• Presentation of research proposal defenses
• Presentation of research to a panel of trainers and members of the department
• A dissertation of limited scope planned and executed in collaboration with a supervisor

Internship

The programme includes a 12-month clinical psychology internship at an accredited training institution. The internship is part of the MA (Clinical Psychology) degree, and students cannot be awarded their degree without completing the internship.

Community Service

After completing the degree and passing the HPCSA board exam, students are required to serve another 12 months of community service at an approved and supervised site.

Assessment and Examination

The programme is designed as a continuous assessment programme, with students being evaluated and assessed throughout the year. All assessments count towards the final mark per module. Oral and written examinations are conducted in the middle and at the end of both academic years. The end-of-year oral examinations are moderated by an external examiner to ensure that students achieve the necessary competencies to progress to the next year of training.