Program Overview

Master of Clinical Psychology

The Master of Clinical Psychology is an intensive two-year academic journey that provides rigorous professional training and equips students with the skills and knowledge to become a registered clinical psychologist.

About this Course

This course is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in clinical psychology, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders. Through a mix of coursework, supervised practicum placements, and a research project, students will acquire in-depth knowledge and skills to work as a practicing psychologist.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for consideration for the UC Master of Clinical Psychology program, students must:

• Complete a four-year sequence in psychology within the last ten years, accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), or equivalency as determined by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
• Meet the minimum GPA requirement of 75%.
• Be eligible for, or hold, provisional registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Provide a current Curriculum Vitae (CV) and proof of eligibility for registration as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
• Submit two referee reports through the Psychology Reference Portal.

Course Requirements

The Master of Clinical Psychology requires students to complete 48 credit points, including:

• Professional Psychological Practice PG (6306)
• Health Psychology for Clinicians PG (6308)
• Practicum Placement 1 PG (6313)
• Practicum Placement 2 PG (6314)
• Practicum Placement 3 PG (6315)
• Practicum Placement 4 PG (6316)
• Introduction to Assessment and Intervention PG (10071)
• Adult Psychopathology, Assessment, and Treatment PG (11820)
• Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Assessment, and Treatment PG (11821)
• Psychological Assessment Across the Lifespan PG (11822)
• Advanced Assessment and Intervention A PG (11823)
• Advanced Assessment and Intervention B PG (11824)
• Postgraduate Psychology Research Project 1 PG (11825)
• Postgraduate Psychology Research Project 2 PG (11826)
• Postgraduate Psychology Research Project 3 PG (11827)

Typical Study Pattern

The standard full-time study pattern for this course is two years, with the option to study part-time. The course is divided into four semesters, with students completing a combination of coursework and practicum placements each semester.

Course Information

• Course duration: Standard 2 years full-time or part-time equivalent, with a maximum of 4 years from initial enrolment.
• Learning outcomes:
  • Competence in applying the scientist-practitioner model and model of evidence-based practice to the field of clinical psychology.
  • Application of ethical practice of clinical psychology with both clients and other professions in culturally responsive and culturally safe ways.
  • Advanced skills in the design, implementation, and production of psychological research as it relates to the field of clinical psychology.
  • Development of advanced knowledge of psychopharmacology and model of health as they relate to psychological disorders.
  • Advanced skills in critical evaluation of psychological research as it relates to aetiological models and treatment of psychological disorders.
  • Advanced specialist knowledge and skills in areas complementary to the practice of clinical psychology.
  • Competence in applying advanced skills to the interpretation and integration of information from multi-modal psychological assessments and multi-disciplinary teams to inform case formulations, diagnosis, and intervention.
  • Advanced psychological knowledge about psychopathology across the life span, aetiological models (including cultural considerations), epidemiology, and relevant international taxonomies of classification of psychological disorders.
  • Competence in applying advanced psychological knowledge and skills in psychological assessment using multiple modalities.
• Awards: Master of Clinical Psychology (M ClinPsych)
• Enrolment data: 31 students enrolled in 2023 at the UC - Canberra, Bruce campus.

Placements Requirements

This course requires students to meet compulsory placement requirements prior to undertaking professional placement (Work-Integrated Learning) in a clinical or professional setting. For information on what these requirements are and how to meet them, please refer to the University's website.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities for Clinical Psychologists are considerable, and UC graduates are in high demand across a wide range of services within the public and private sectors, including:

• Private practice supporting members of the public
• Health departments, hospitals, and community practices
• National, state or local government or non-government organisations
• Welfare agencies, educational institutions, defense, justice, and community services.