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Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical)

  • Masters (Coursework)

ACAP's Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical) is designed for registered psychologists to enhance their skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating complex psychological disorders. The course includes workshops, supervision, and is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Duration
1 - 1 trimesters full-time, 6 - 6 trimesters part-time
Study Mode
Online
Intake Months
Feb
Domestic Fees
$11,046 per year / $44,184 total

About this course

Overview

Are you a registered psychologist with a passion for working with people with complex psychological disorders? ACAP's Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical) will give you the knowledge and skills for specialised area of practice in clinical psychology. The Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical) is designed for registered psychologists and extends knowledge and skills for working with people with complex psychological problems. The aim of this course is to enhance the existing professional psychology skills required to assess, diagnose, formulate, treat, and prevent psychological problems and mental illness across the lifespan. The Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical) course includes a 3-day on-campus workshop (held in orientation week). Additionally there are weekly 3 hour workshops on-campus and/or online and individual and group supervision on-campus and/or online (based on student preference). This course is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This course has also been accredited by ACAP under its self-accrediting authority.

Entry requirements

Domestic entry requirements

Domestic students must:

  • Be registered with AHPRA as a psychologist, with a minimum of 12 months practice as a registered psychologist with no conditions on their registration and a GPA of at least 5.2 in their most recent APAC accredited qualification; and
  • Demonstrate achievement of Level 3 Professional Competencies as well as personal and professional suitability.

Additional requirements:

  1. Submit an application form, CV, statement of personal learning objectives and two professional referees;
  2. Submission of a critical evaluation of a peer reviewed journal article;
  3. Successfully complete two tasks to demonstrate research and professional practice skills, including the response to a case study and video demonstration of professional practice skills;
  4. Successfully complete an online quiz based on the National Psychology Examination curriculum;
  5. Participate in an interview.

Study locations

Online

What you will learn

What you'll learn

Expertise in human behaviour forms the foundation of all our courses including our Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical).

  • Foundations of clinical psychology
  • Clinical psychology practice 1 & 2
  • Ethical, legal and professional issues in clinical psychology
  • Essential clinical psychology practices
  • Applied clinical psychology skills

Career pathways

Once you graduate from the Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical), you will open doors to a range of possible career opportunities. Listed below are a few typical roles you could consider. *Following completion of registrar period under supervision
  • Clinical Psychologist*
  • Mental Health Clinician
  • Consultant

Course structure

Course structure

The Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical) course is comprised of 6 units, which are level 600 units. To find out unit delivery information view the relevant Yearly Planner.

The course duration is 1 year full time or part time equivalent. For more information on the recommended course sequence click here.

Level: 600 level core Credit points: 6 Prerequisites: PSYC5582 Professional Psychology: Assessing Psychological Problems OR PSYC5592 Professional Psychology: Intervening with Psychological Problems

Unit Description:

This unit introduces students to the competencies required of clinical psychologists and the foundational knowledge and skill base required to demonstrate these, including the scientist practitioner model as it applies to clinical psychology, case formulation, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning. It considers a range of contemporary theories of complex psychological disorders, including developmental, systems, and biopsychological models, as well as the social determinants of health, and how these contribute to the assessment and management of individuals with complex psychological disorders.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate the ability to independently locate and use relevant and reliable sources of information, including the research and practice literature, and apply it to the practice of clinical psychology.
  • Demonstrate advanced and integrated critical understanding of influential psychological theories of complex psychological problems, including social determinants, and developmental, systems and biopsychological models of health.
  • Demonstrate the ability to design evidence-based treatment plans based upon case formulations of complex psychological problems.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understand of ethical, legal and professional issues in relation to complex psychological disorders.
  • Apply advanced knowledge of key cultural groups (including First Nations Australians) and culturally competent practices to the assessment and management of people with complex psychological problems
  • Apply principles of effective communication practice across contexts and different modalities, such as technology-mediated psychological practice

Level: 600 level core Credit points: 12 Prerequisites: PSYC6172 Clinical Psychology: Core Skills and Professional Issues

Unit Description:

The main objectives of PSYC6152 Clinical Psychology Practice 1 and PSYC6162 Clinical Psychology Practice 2 are to assist students in working towards the required placement, supervision, research and clinical skills development for competency in psychological assessment and intervention, applying evidence-based research to practice, as well as to enhance each student's developing identity as a clinical psychologist.

In the two units PSYC6152 Clinical Psychology Practice 1 and PSYC6162 Clinical Psychology Practice 2 students will undertake external placements with a total of 750 hours in settings where services are offered to clients with severe or complex psychological disorders. In each unit, students will complete at least 375 service hours. Students should refer to the Psychology External Placements Handbook for further detail on the breakdown of hours within each placement.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Conduct psychological practice in an ethical, culturally sensitive, and professional manner with clients with severe and / or complex psychological problems
  • Apply advanced knowledge of a range of psychological theories and associated evidence to developing differential diagnoses, case formulations and treatment plans for the assessment and management of clients with severe and / or complex psychological problems
  • Participate effectively as a member of the team supporting clients with severe and / or complex psychological problems
  • Participate effectively in supervision, demonstrating advanced reflective practice skills to enhance learning and practice
  • Demonstrate advanced understanding and application of the psychological and related literature to inform the response to a practice related question in the placement setting

Credit for prior study or work

Students wishing to apply for Recognition for Prior Learning for the Master of Psychology Practice (Clinical) should contact the relevant course coordinator for advice prior to submitting the application due to limitations of credit that can be granted.