Master of Professional Psychology

What you will study

To complete the Master of Professional Psychology, you must pass eight credit points. This includes:

• DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points compulsory unit) in your first study period
• Eight credit points of core units

Core units

Level 1 - Trimester 1

• Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)
• Practice and Ethics in Professional Psychology
• Psychological Assessment in Practice
• Psychological Interview and Intervention Strategies
• Professional Practicum A

Level 1 - Trimester 2

• Psychological Practice Across the Lifespan
• Working with Diverse Populations
• Applied Methods for Professional Practice
• Professional Practicum B

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements and individual circumstances. You must meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

This course has limited places and entry is competitive. As you know, applicants are very much encouraged to apply soon.

Academic requirements.

To be considered for admission to this degree, you will need to meet all the following criteria:

• Completion of a four-year tertiary program* with a psychology major from an APAC-accredited program with a minimum of an Honours 2A average or equivalent. Applicants who completed a four-year psychology program more than 10 years ago must articulate how they have maintained recency of Level 2 Pre-Professional Competencies.
• Eligibility for registration as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

International applicants will need to have their qualifications assessed by APS to determine if the applicant's qualifications are comparable to an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) sequence of study in psychology. Further information regarding international qualification assessment can be found at the Australian Psychological Society.

Either an honours program or the combination of a three-year undergraduate degree, including a psychology major and an approved postgraduate program. The Australian Psychological Society must assess it as equivalent if you are applying with an international qualification.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

• Bachelor's degree from a recognised English-speaking country.
• IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band score less than 7.0) or equivalent.
• Other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements).

Non-academic requirements

You'll need to provide two referee reports with your application if you don't mind. Two academic referees are preferred, but where an applicant cannot seek a second academic referee, a professional referee may be suitable if they are in a position to respond to the criteria assessed in the referee reports. Information on obtaining and sharing references can be found at the Psychology Reference Portal.

Preferred referees include 4th-year supervisors and course directors from your university. However, we will also consider other academic referees who have working relationships within psychology. You don't need to include referee information through the Deakin University direct application portal.

Just so you know, the Psychology Reference Portal will be temporarily closed from 28 June, 5:00 PM, until 1 August, 9:00 AM AEST. Please ensure you have nominated Deakin as a Higher Education Provider (HEP) for any existing references before 28.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning that exceeds the course's standard entrance requirements and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students must complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University or four credit points, whichever is greater. For certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System, which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

Standard University regulations and guidelines pertain to students applying for Recognition of prior learning within this program. Credit will always need to be determined on a case-by-case basis, with the maximum credit granted being consistent with university policy.

Course credit can be approved only if it is strictly equivalent to coursework in the current course and was completed in an APAC-accredited course within the previous ten years. Credit for placement experience completed as part of their current employment can only be given if it is directly relevant to the course, ordinarily undertaken by a qualified psychologist and if supervision fulfils the usual requirements of course placements. Credit cannot be provided for previous employment experience before entry into the course as it is not integrated into the overall learning undertaken during the course.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Displays broad knowledge of common client presentations across the lifespan and understanding of the theoretical principles and research evidence underlying psychological practice in preparation for the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) internship program, ensuring safe and effective practice aligned with the competencies for complete registration as a psychologist.
• Demonstrate written and verbal communication skills and expertise appropriate to professional settings and tailored to clients, carers, colleagues and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ethically use appropriate digital technologies to collect, evaluate and integrate information to support assessment, formulation and treatment plans, as well as monitor outcomes and communicate them to clients, carers and relevant professionals.
• Critically evaluate, interpret and synthesise research findings to inform assessments, formulations and interventions and tailor these to the needs of clients/carers and context.
• Demonstrate foundation knowledge and skills of evidence-based intervention and management approaches drawn from theoretical frameworks and tailor approaches to meet the needs of diverse client presentations.
• Engage in ethical, reflective and professional practice, adhering to codes and legal and regulatory standards, recognising competency limits and scope of practice and demonstrating accountability, ongoing supervision and professional judgment that supports professional functioning and performance.
• Develop, maintain and manage respectful, ethical and professional relationships with multidisciplinary team members and relevant others to collaborate effectively in the best interests of the client and the profession.
• Demonstrate, report and apply ethical, legal and professional principles as a provisional psychologist within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts whilst demonstrating reflexivity and culturally responsive practice with a commitment to decolonising psychology practice through meaningful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and cultural perspectives.

Career outcomes

This course is a pathway into the one-year internship that leads to general registration as a psychologist. Once you’re registered, you will have the qualifications and experience needed to practise psychology in areas such as:

• Mental Health Settings
• Schools
• Rehabilitation settings
• Disability
• Aged care
• Return to work
• Forensic Settings
• Private Practice

When you graduate from this course, you’ll still have a broad and exciting range of career opportunities to explore. Your deep understanding of advanced psychological assessment methods, combined with your client-centred approach to practice, will equip you for roles in:

• Community welfare and Case management
• Human Resources
• Education
• Mental health rehabilitation
• Drug and alcohol services
• Public health
• Youth and family support

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2025: $33,600 (domestic full-fee paying place).

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load (typically eight units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.