Master of Professional Psychology

What you will study

The Master of Professional Psychology course comprises 200 credit points, involving the completion of 16 subjects. Unless otherwise indicated, each subject is worth 6.25 credit points.

Core subjects

Students must complete all the following subjects:

• Well-being in Practice (12.5 credit points)
• Advanced Design and Data Analysis (12.5 credit points)
• Ethics and Psychological Practice (12.5 credit points)
• Professional Psychology Skills 1 (18.75 credit points)
• Attitude and Behaviour Change (12.5 credit points)
• Research Project (25 credit points)
• Basic Interventions
• Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy
• Mental Health Issues Across the Lifespan
• Professional Psychology Placement 1 (18.75 credit points)
• Child Psychopathology
• Professional Psychology Placement 2 (25 credit points)
• Individual and Cultural Diversity
• Introduction to Assessment and Diagnosis
• Adult Psychopathology
• Professional Psychology Skills 2 (18.75 credit points)

Entry requirements

To be considered for entry into this course, you must within the 10 years before the course commencement date, have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least H2A (75%) (or equivalent).

You must also provide:

• A personal statement of no more than 500 words.
• Two referee reports (submitted online).
• If your application is shortlisted, you must also attend an interview.

Weighted Average Marks (WAM)

For the Master of Professional Psychology, the entry score is calculated using a weighted average of psychology subjects in the second year (Level 2) and third year (Level 3). The average of the third-year (Level 3) Psychology subjects is weighted by 2 and the average of the second-year (Level 2) Psychology subjects is weighted by 1.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in several ways, including recognised previous studies taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test.

If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS (Academic) –  7.0 overall, with written 7.0 and no band less than 7.0
• TOEFL – 94+, with writing 27; speaking 23; reading 24; listening 24
• Pearson – 72+, with a written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 72
• Cambridge – N/A

Recognition of Prior Learning

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning). Contact the university for more details.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Upon completing this course, you will be eligible for entry to a one-year internship, sit the National Psychology Exam and then apply for registration as a Generalist Psychologist.

You will be clinically trained and upskilled to work at a broader population level, focused on key societal issues such as understanding community behaviour change. As a generalist psychologist, you will be ready to apply your skills in assessment and treatment with a wide range of clients with mild to moderate mental health conditions.

This involves optimising personal, social, educational and occupational adjustment and development across areas such as:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Education and Training
• Population Health
• Drug and Alcohol
• Corporate and Commercial Settings

In contrast, Clinical Psychologists typically work with clients with more severe and complex mental health conditions, with training provided through the University of Melbourne's Master of Psychology programs.

Fees and CSP

Estimated fee in 2026: Not yet available (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative first-year fee in 2026: $44,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative total course fee in 2026: $92,400 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Unless otherwise noted, the indicative total course fee shown above assumes a study load of 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) commencing semester one of the listed year, except for courses with a duration of less than 1 EFTSL.

Fees are subject to annual review by the University, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

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

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per the subjects you're enrolled in.
• Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.