Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

Overview

The Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) provides high-level training in psychopathology, assessment, and therapeutic interventions for adults and children with clinical disorders. Our training has a specific focus assessing conditions such as; anxiety disorder, clinical depression, schizophrenia, eating, and personality disorders, trauma, alcohol dependence, childhood disorders and psychogeriatric conditions.

Aims and objectives

The program is designed to meet the emerging demand for professionals with a high level of training and the skills needed to provide therapeutic interventions for people suffering clinical disorders such as anxiety disorder, clinical depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders, personality disorders, trauma, alcohol dependence, childhood disorders and psychogeriatric conditions.  

Students will learn to assess the current level of psychosocial functioning and to formulate and provide therapeutic interventions to individuals, groups, couples and families experiencing such problems as anxiety, depression, psychosis and disorders of impulse control. Students will learn to understand psychiatric diagnostic systems and to develop diagnoses and individual case formulations for children, adolescents and adults with psychiatric disorders and milder psychological problems. 

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• evaluate a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in the discipline and practice of clinical psychology; and knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to clinical psychology
• demonstrate technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts, and theories in clinical psychology practice and independent research and project work
• use communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions, and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills, with creativity and initiative to new situations in the practice of clinical psychology
• apply a high level of personal autonomy and accountability in the practice of clinical psychology.

Career opportunities

Graduates may gain employment in community mental health centres, psychiatric hospital settings, specialist services for particular clinical groups, schools, post-secondary education, clinical rehabilitation services and private practice.

Graduate skills

Graduates are capable in their chosen professional areas:

• able to gather information systematically from a wide range of sources
• a sense of social responsibility for knowledge and its application
• a highly developed ability in both verbal and written communication skills
• logical and critical thinking skills.

Graduates are entrepreneurial:

• able to identify and realise opportunities for responsible innovation
• an aptitude for socially responsible decision making.

Graduates are adaptable and work effectively and ethically:

• communicate effectively with professionals and the community
• adaptable, flexible, open to new ideas and able to manage change
• understanding and commitment to professional and ethical principles
• application of the APS Code of Ethics and Guidelines
• adaptable, flexible, open to new ideas and able to manage change
• recognise the need for life long learning.

Graduates are aware of environments:

• respect clients from diverse cultural backgrounds
• understand the impact of culture on therapy
• respect for multiple points of view.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the program will be eligible for:

• membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS)
• general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)
• Clinical Psychology area of practice endorsement (after an additional 24 months of approved supervised full-time equivalent practice with a PsyBA-approved supervisor)

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that may be granted for the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) is 100 credit points (normally eight units).