Master of Clinical Psychology

Overview

• Integrative psychotherapeutic approach that provides students with a unique flexibility to conceptualise and treat clinical presentations across the lifespan.
• Graduate eligible to apply for registration as a psychologist in Australia.
• Learn to conceptualise and treat clinical presentations including relational psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and systemic narrative therapeutic approaches.
• Gain experience with an internship at our specialised Psychology and Counselling clinic, and with clinical training in external hospitals, community agencies and mental health settings.

Details

The Master of Clinical Psychology builds upon the latest psychotherapy process and outcome research findings and emphasises an integrative psychotherapeutic approach which provides students with a unique flexibility.

Students learn to conceptualise and treat clinical presentations including relational psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and systemic narrative therapeutic approaches. Graduates of this course have the knowledge and competence to tailor their treatments to the individual needs of the client across the lifespan.

Course structure

The coursework component of this program provides training on how to assess and diagnose clinical presentations. It provides unique training on how to conceptualise and treat a broad range of child and adult clinical presentations from relational psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and systemic narrative therapeutic approaches.

Clinical placements begin in the first semester with an internship spanning the first year. Students complete the internship under intense supervision at the specialised Psychology and Counselling Clinic at QUT’s Kelvin Grove campus. During the internship, students gain experience in assessing and treating a range of clinical cases across the lifespan.

Once students are deemed competent through the internship, they continue their clinical training with external placements in hospitals, community agencies and a variety of child and adult mental health settings.

To undertake the supervised practice, students need to provide evidence of provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and hold a current blue card as required by the Commission for Children and Young People and Guardian Act (2000).

Career outcomes

Graduates of the Clinical Psychology postgraduate programs are eligible to work as fully registered Psychologists in hospital, community and private practice settings in areas that require clinical and psychotherapy skills, as well as skills in psychological assessment, diagnosis, case formulation, and treatment planning that are tailored for the individual needs of the client within the broader sytem that they live in.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are eligible to apply for full registration with the national registration board and are eligible for endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia as a Clinical Psychologist, as well as membership of the Australian Psychological Society College of Clinical Psychologists, with an extra two years of approved supervision following the Master of Clinical Psychology.

The course meets the accreditation requirements of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), the Australian Psychological Society College of Clinical Psychologists and the Psychology Board of Australia.

Course articulation

Students in the Master of Clinical Psychology may apply to enter the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) on completion of the first full-time year of study. The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) entry requirements will apply. The grade point average in both the masters and any prior courses recognised as meeting the APAC-approved four years of training will be considered. The closing date is 1 October for course entry in February the following year.

Units

Course structure

The coursework component of this program provides training on how to assess and diagnose clinical presentations. It provides unique training on how to conceptualise and treat a broad range of child and adult clinical presentations from relational psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and systemic narrative therapeutic approaches.

Clinical placements begin in the first semester with an internship spanning the first year. Students complete the internship under intense supervision at the specialised Psychology and Counselling Clinic at QUT's Kelvin Grove campus. During the internship, students gain experience in assessing and treating a range of clinical cases across the lifespan.

Once students are deemed competent through the internship, they continue their clinical training with external placements in hospitals, community agencies and a variety of child and adult mental health settings.

Entry requirements

Entry to this course is competitive. Applications close on 1 October. To be considered for admission you must have:

• APAC-approved four-year training (or equivalent) from a recognised institution
• minimum grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 (on a 7-point scale) in the fourth-year program
• two referee reports. Referees are required to comment on your academic and personal suitability and their overall level of support for your application

Applicants are shortlisted in priority order on the basis of their GPAs. Shortlisted applicants are required to attend an interview to assess their interpersonal skills in a clinical context. Admission is based on GPA, interview and referee reports.

How to apply

You must submit the following by 1 October:

• Completed F Form
• Attached all relevant documents as requested in the F Form (eg academic transcript and award certificates)
• Attach your Australian Psychological Society (APS)  letter showing the assessment outcome of your Psychological Qualifications.  The Australian Psychological Society (APS) assesses the level at which an applicant's overseas qualifications are comparable to an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited sequence of study in psychology.  To have your qualification assessed please contact APS, More information is available on the APS website: http://www.psychology.org.au/membership/qualifications/.
• Attach your completed Clinical psychology questionnaire (PDF file, 64.02 KB)
• Attach two referee reports   Clinical psychology referee report (PDF file, 124.69 KB)

If you are shortlisted you will be contacted for a telephone interview.

You will be notified of the outcome late December or early January.

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

View all scholarships