Program Overview

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Doctor of Clinical Psychology – DClinPsych

The Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a competitive-entry professional qualification that will train you to become a registered clinical psychologist.

Type of qualification

• Doctoral degree
• Level of study: Postgraduate study, NZQF level 10
• Time to complete: 3 years full-time (360 credits)
• Where you can study: Auckland campus, Wellington campus, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)
• International students: Not open to international students

Study a Doctor of Clinical Psychology – DClinPsych

The Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a professional qualification that prepares you to integrate practice and research in your career as a clinical psychologist. Places are highly sought-after and there is a competitive entry process. Clinical psychology is an applied branch of psychology. It uses psychological techniques to help people solve a wide variety of mental, physical, behavioural and relationship problems.

What does the qualification cover?

The Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a full-time qualification. You’ll take courses, do practical placements, complete an internship of supervised full-time practical work for at least 1 academic year and a doctoral dissertation (thesis).

Develop practical skills

You’ll get practical skills through practica placements. There are typically 3 placements in a variety of health service agencies, such as:

• child and family
• community mental health
• drug and alcohol
• rehabilitation
• secondary care
• forensic
• Massey Student Health and Counselling
• Psychological Service/Department of Corrections
• Massey psychology clinics.

Get a diverse perspective

Massey is committed to the principles embodied in the Treaty of Waitangi, Te Tiriti o Waitangi. You’ll be well trained from a variety of perspectives and be sensitive to the needs of people from diverse backgrounds and across their lifespan.

The scientist-practitioner model

Clinical training at Massey is based on the scientist-practitioner model. This emphasises the need for clinical psychologists to have a strong research background, as well as clinical skills. You’ll formulate an approach to understanding human behaviour that has a strong theoretical base.

Internationally recognised and market-leading in New Zealand

Massey graduates more researchers and clinical psychologists than any other university in New Zealand. We’re connected to a wide range of community and statutory organisations. Our unique and applied psychology research and training is recognised nationally and internationally. This expertise enhances the reputation of your degree and ensures your knowledge is relevant to today’s society.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

This is a selected entry qualification. This means there are a number of extra requirements you must meet.

To enter the Doctor of Clinical Psychology you will:

• have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor with honours or master’s in psychology with the award of first class or second class division I honours, or equivalent
• have passed the following courses (or their equivalent) in your qualifying degree:
  • Psychological Research: Principles of Design
  • Understanding Mental Distress
  • Clinical Psychology Assessment
  • Clinical Psychology Interventions
• have sufficient personal qualities, ethical standards and professional potential to satisfy the Doctoral Research Committee you have the capacity to successfully undertake the qualification, and to satisfy the requirements for eligibility to practice as a Registered Psychologist in accordance with the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act of 2003 (or as amended)
• supply all documentation as listed below
• be offered a place following a selection interview.

Limited places

This qualification has a limited number of places available. Meeting entry requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the qualification.

Application closing date and interviews

Applications close 1 September for study the following year. No late applications will be accepted.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed before a final selection is made.

Clinical qualification selection interview dates

• Pukeahu/Wellington Campus – 10-11 November 2025
• Turitea/Manawatū Campus – 13-14 November 2025
• Ōtehā/Albany Campus – 17-19 November 2025

No late applications

You must ensure that all documentation is supplied well in advance of the closing date. If you are applying close to the deadline you will need to ensure your referees are advised, as their report must be received by the closing date.

English language requirements

• Academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0; or a minimum TOEFL iBT of 90 overall (minimum of 20 in writing). These tests are valid for 2 years.

Documents you need to supply

You will need to provide the following documents:

• Verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
• A current curriculum vitae or résumé detailing your relevant training and experience
• A passport-sized photograph
• Brief personal statement (up to 500 words) which includes your reasons for seeking a career in clinical psychology. You may also wish to list perceived strengths as well as skills you will bring to your studies and training as a clinical psychologist
• Supporting statements from whānau/family (optional)
• Name, occupation and email details of 2 referees. Referees will be automatically contacted to supply a confidential reference in relation to this qualification. Referees are invited to comment, where they are able, on academic performance, ability to successfully complete further study, motivation and suitability for clinical psychology training, quality of interactions with people including with those from culturally diverse backgrounds, adherence to professional ethical standards, and knowledge and practice regarding working with Māori.

Structure of the Doctor of Clinical Psychology

The Doctor of Clinical Psychology is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second. It consists of courses and a thesis, totalling at least 360 credits:

• Part One: Provisional Registration
• Part Two: Full Registration

This includes:

• the courses listed in the Schedule for the qualification (check the regulations for more information)
• a thesis
• participation in compulsory activities including:
  • presentation of a proposal at a confirmation event
  • defending a thesis in an oral examination
  • demonstrating the competencies required of a professional Clinical Psychologist at a practical oral examination.

You will need to do practica placements and an internship of supervised full-time practical work for at least 1 academic year.

Courses and specialisations

Compulsory courses

• Code: Clinical Psychology Practicum A, Credits: 15 credits Provides structured supervision of the student's clinical activities in the workplace to fulfil clinical psychology practicum requirements. It included observation of the work of clinical psychologists, supervised practice of designated clinical psychology skills, and exploration of individualised psychotherapy approaches and formal treatment protocols in a selected domain of practice.
• Code: Clinical Psychology Practicum B, Credits: 15 credits Provides further supervision of the student's clinical activities in the workplace to fulfil clinical psychology practicum requirements. It includes supervised practice of all the professional activities of a clinical psychologist, including working in professional teams, conducting assessments under supervision, and using the empirical literature to guide clinical decision making.
• Code: Clinical Psychology Internship, Credits: 60 credits Supervised experience in all aspects of clinical psychology service delivery in a professional service setting, with increasing emphasis on independent ability to offer specialised assessment and treatment programmes to a diversity of clients in a safe, culturally appropriate, and ethical manner.
• Code: Skills in Clinical Assessment, Credits: 15 credits Provides advanced training in applied skills of clinical psychology assessment across the lifespan, including interview skills, skills in case conceptualisation and psychological formulation, and skills in the selection, administration, scoring, interpretation and reporting of psychological and neuropsychological tests.
• Code: Skills in Clinical Interventions, Credits: 15 credits Provides advanced training in applied skills of clinical psychology interventions across the lifespan, including behavioural and cognitive behavioural interventions, family and systems approaches, and neurorehabilitation interventions.
• Code: Thesis Part A, Credits: 90 credits Thesis research builds the student's ability to carry out independent scientific inquiry which represents a significant contribution to knowledge and understanding in clinical psychology. In the initial stages of thesis preparation, students participate in a group seminar to review a number of specialised methodological issues that exist within clinical psychology.
• Code: Thesis Part B, Credits: 90 credits Supports continued research activities, normally involving selecting and testing participants; other data collection strategies as needed by the research design; statistical analysis of data, conceptualisation of the findings, and the development of tentative conclusions.
• Code: Thesis Part C, Credits: 60 credits Integrates the student's emerging ability to carry out independent research of direct relevance to conceptual foundations of clinical psychology. The candidate integrates the major study with clinical follow-up study or studies of a practical nature, derived from the concurrent internship experiences.

Fees and scholarships

2026 tuition fees

• Domestic students: $11,615
• International students: Not applicable

Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Course fees

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme, including how much could be covered and your eligibility.

Scholarship and award opportunities

• Massey University Alumni Doctoral Scholarship
• Massey University Doctoral Conference Grants
• Massey University Doctoral Scholarship
• Massey University Pacific Success Scholarship for Doctoral Students

Careers and job opportunities

Our clinical psychology graduates typically work in their community in:

• health
• education
• social services
• justice
• private practice.

Related study options

• Business Psychology – Bachelor of Arts
• Indigenous Psychologies – Diploma in Arts
• Master of Clinical Psychology – MClinPsych
• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Practice – PGDipPsychPrac
• Psychology – Graduate Certificate in Arts
• Psychology – Bachelor of Health Science
• Psychology – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
• Psychology – Bachelor of Science
• Psychology – Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Psychology – Bachelor of Arts
• Psychology – Diploma in Arts
• Psychology – Master of Health Science
• Psychology – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology
• Psychology – Master of Science
• Psychology – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
• Psychology – Master of Arts
• Psychology – Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
• Psychology – Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Psychology - Health Psychology – Master of Science