Murdoch University
Master of Professional Psychology
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Acquire the skills necessary to become a highly qualified registered psychologist through a Master of Professional Psychology.
Course overview
If you’re working towards becoming a registered psychologist, this course will provide a streamlined postgraduate study pathway with only one application process.
You'll graduate skilled in individual casework and deeply understand prevention, research, development and evaluation at both personal and system levels. Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) following one additional year of supervised practice.
The program comprises two years of full-time study, with part-time options available upon approval. It includes a combination of coursework, practicum and research components. In their final year, students will undertake two practica, which provide hands-on experience in real-world settings.
Three Reasons to Study a Master of Professional Psychology at Murdoch
- The study is the only streamlined postgraduate pathway in WA for students whose primary goal is to register as a psychologist.
- Gain experience in diverse settings through practical placements.
- Learn from leading academics committed to helping you succeed in your studies.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
To complete the Master of Professional Psychology, you are required to fulfil 48 credit points. Each unit is valued at three credit points.
- Graduate Seminar in Psychology
- Advanced Psychological Assessment
- Psychology Project (12 credit points)
- Psychology: Practical Skills
- Psychology: Principles and Processes of Psychological Intervention
- Psychological Assessment: Theory and Method
- Psychotherapy in Practice
- Professional Psychology: Practicum 1
- Professional Psychology: Practicum 2 (Workplace Internship)
- Work and Well-being
- Clinical Psychology: Working with Children and Families
- Clinical Psychology: Working with Adults
- Clinical Psychology: Advanced Research Methods
Entry requirements
Entry into this course is competitive and requires a Bachelor's degree in psychology, accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (or an Australian Psychological Society-approved alternative). The Academic Chair will consider applications based on assessing the student's preparedness for this course and the current teaching and supervision resources available to the School. Subject to exceptions based on consideration by the Academic Chair, only students with a distinction average or better in their undergraduate psychology units will be considered for admission. Applicants must also supply referee reports and a personal statement detailing their past accomplishments, future career plans and interest in this course. Interviews will be offered to the best candidates. Applications with qualifications obtained outside Australia must have a formal assessment completed by the Australian Psychological Society before applying to study. Students with overseas qualifications who are accepted into the course and who wish to seek registration in Australia after graduation should ensure that their undergraduate qualifications meet the Psychology Board of Australia requirements for equivalence to a three-year Australian degree in Psychology. Two places per intake in this course are reserved for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants. Reserved places will only be offered if eligible applicants are available. Otherwise, the places will be provided to other applicants.
English Requirements
To study at Murdoch, you must meet a minimum standard in English, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Everyone has a different path to university, so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for specific units.
Formal learning can include previous study in higher education, vocational education, or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on-the-job learning and various kinds of work and life experience.
Please reach out to the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Develop advanced skills in psychological assessment and intervention.
- How psychological principles apply to a variety of professional contexts.
- Apply evidence-based psychological knowledge to individuals across the lifespan, facilitating optimal client outcomes in various professional contexts.
- Conduct culturally sensitive psychological testing, diagnosis and assessment and design, implement, monitor and evaluate psychological interventions, considering the diversity of sociocultural contexts and adhering to relevant legal and ethical guidelines.
- Articulate advanced knowledge of psychology's general theoretical, disciplinary and ethical aspects, ensuring a strong foundation for professional practice.
Career outcomes
- Graduates will be highly employable in various fields such as health, education, community development and private practice. This course provides a pathway for further specialisation in clinical psychology or other areas of professional psychology.
Fees and CSP
Indicative 2026 full course fee: $33,805 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
Indicative 2026 annual fee: $34,800 (domestic full-fee paying place).
Indicative 2026 full course fee: $69,600 (domestic full-fee paying place).
All costs are calculated using current rates based on a full-time study load of 48 credit points.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- 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.
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 courses 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 with the cost of a university course.
