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Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

Postgraduate course

  • This information is for local students.
  • This course is not available to international students.
    Am I a You are a local student if:
    you are an Australian citizen, or
    you are a New Zealand citizen (excluding TAFE courses), or
    you are an Australian permanent resident.
    You are an international student if:
    you are not an Australian citizen, and
    you are not a New Zealand citizen (excluding TAFE courses), and
    you are not an Australian permanent resident.    local or an international student    ?

Overview

Clinical psychology is a specialisation focusing on psychopathology and the assessment and treatment of clinical disorders across the life-span. This course provides high-level training in psychopathology, assessment and therapeutic interventions for adults and children suffering from clinical disorders.  
This program is not available to international students. Prospective international students may wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) and Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) programs.
Prospective domestic students may also wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) and Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) programs.
Duration4 years part-time
Campus and intakes  Calendar
Hawthorn -Semester 1
Study modePart-time (evening)
Course codeN0912
Fees
The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.
For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.

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.
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Course in detail

On this page: course description, course structure and units of study.

Course description

Clinical psychology is a specialisation focusing on psychopathology and the assessment and treatment of clinical disorders across the life-span. This course provides high-level training in psychopathology, assessment and therapeutic interventions for adults and children suffering from clinical disorders.  
This program is not available to international students. Prospective international students may wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) and Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) programs.
Prospective domestic students may also wish to consider the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Psychology (Counselling Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) and Master of Psychology (Counselling Psychology) programs.

Course structure

The part-time master program consists of 200 credit points. Students undertake a total of 16 units of study consisting of eight coursework units of study (100 points in total), four placement units of study (50 points in total) and four research units of study (50 points in total). All units of study are core units and are valued at 12.5 credit points each. Students are required to complete 1000 hours in placements.  
Coursework units of study (totalling 100 credit points)
HAY530 Counselling Theory and Skills
HAY527 Advanced Psychological Assessment
HAYC550 Adult Psychopathology
HAYC551 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Research
HAY525 Systemic Family Counselling  
HAYC552 Child Psychopathology and Assessment
HAYC553 Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology in 2010 and prior
(HAYC554 Professional Ethics and Psychopharmacology in 2011 and onwards)
HAY531 Foundations of Health Psychology
          
Placement units of study (totalling 50 credit points)
HAYC556 Clinical Placement A1
HAYC557 Clinical Placement A2
HAYC558 Clinical Placement B1
HAYC559 Clinical Placement B2
    
Research units of study (totalling 50 credit points)
HAYC560 Research Project (Clinical) A1
HAYC561 Research Project (Clinical) A2
HAYC562 Research Project (Clinical) B1
HAYC563 Research Project (Clinical) B2
     

Units of study

Part-time program (NB: Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) is not available to international applicants.)

Year 1
Semester 1 
HAY530 Counselling Theory and Skills
HAY527 Advanced Psychological Assessment (formerly known as HAY539 Psychological Assessment)
Semester 2 
HAYC550 Adult Psychopathology
HAYC556 Clinical Placement A1

Year 2
Semester 1
HAYC551 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Research
HAYC557 Clinical Placement A2                      
Semester 2
HAY525 Systemic Family Counselling (formerly known as HAY547 Psychology of the Family)
HAYC558 Clinical Placement B1
Year 3
Semester 1
HAYC552 Child Psychopathology and Assessment
HAYC560 Research Project (Clinical) A1       
Semester 2 
HAYC559 Clinical Placement B2
HAYC561 Research Project (Clinical) A2
Year 4
Semester 1 
HAYC553 Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology in 2010 and prior
(HAYC554 Professional Ethics and Psychopharmacology in 2011 and onwards)
HAYC562 Research Project (Clinical) B1                
Semester 2
HAY531 Foundations of Health Psychology
HAYC563 Research Project (Clinical) B2
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Graduate outcomes

On this page: aims and objectives, career opportunities, professional recognition and graduate attributes.

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. 

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.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the master program will be eligible for:
  • membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS);
  • registration as a psychologist;
  • membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, after two years of internship approved by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Graduate attributes

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.
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On this page: entry requirements and recognition of prior learning

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

 Applicants for the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) program should have:
  • completed a degree at an Australian university, and have completed a four-year sequence of studies in psychology at second class level or above in a course or courses accredited by the APS, or have equivalent overseas qualifications recognised by the APS;
  • experience in face-to-face counselling or have completed significant training in counselling skills, e.g., Lifeline, Care Ring, counselling skills in tertiary programs or other appropriate work experience.

Short-listed applicants will be required to participate in a selection interview which will determine whether an offer will be made for enrolment in the program.

Note: This program is only available on a part-time basis and is therefore unsuitable for international applicants wishing to study in Australia on a student visa.
 
Following Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course.
 
Applicants  who have obtained qualifications from overseas should ensure that their qualifications have been assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of previous experience. Following Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) guidelines, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course.  Credit or partial credit towards a qualification cannot be granted in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience and/or life experience.
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Apply

On this page: how to apply, course fees and find out more.

How to apply

Applicants for the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) program must lodge the following forms and associated documents by the closing date:
Closing Date: 31 October 2012 (for Semester 1, 2013 intake).

Course fees

The total tuition fee is dependent upon the combination of units of study selected by the student. Fees are reviewed each year.
For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website.

Find out more

Web: Enquire online
Tel: 1300 368 777
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