Master of Clinical Psychology

What you will study

To graduate, you must complete 16 courses or 192 credit points. All courses listed may not be available each semester. Each course is valued at 12 credit points.

Entry requirements

You must have:

• Successfully completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) approved fourth year of study in psychology (Honours or Honours-equivalent Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology) within the last 10 years with an average of at least 80%.
  • If the APAC approved fourth year of study in psychology was completed more than 10 years ago, applicants must be currently registered as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and meet the Board's Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
• Applicants with international qualifications must have these assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) as equivalent to a fourth year of study in psychology.
• Demonstrated suitability for the program as evidenced by:
  • A professional curriculum vitae/resume; AND
  • A personal statement
• Submitted two confidential referee reports. You will need to obtain one academic referee report and one professional or personal referee report.
• Successful completion of a formal admissions interview, if shortlisted.

English language requirements

Local applicants who completed an APAC-approved fourth year of study in psychology that was taught and assessed entirely in English must meet the University’s minimum English language requirements for local students.

Local applicants who completed an APAC-approved fourth year of study in psychology that was taught and assessed in a language other than English must complete an IELTS test, achieving a score of 8.0, with no band less than 8.0 or equivalent.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed in a manner consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

The Program Learning Outcomes for this Program have been mapped to the APAC and APS requirements for Program Learning Outcomes and are expressed for this course as follows:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the theories, models and scientific underpinning of professional psychological practice and its application across behavioural and organisational systems.
• Develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the legislative frameworks and ethical codes and guidelines that guide professional psychological practice at a personal and professional level.
• Design, analyse, synthesise and communicate information from a wide variety of psychological assessments and techniques appropriate to the developmental stage, cognitive level and cultural background of the client and appropriate to the purpose of the assessment.
• Demonstrate the ability to design, apply and evaluate appropriate evidence-based, empirically validated interventions individualised to the client’s diagnosis, case formulation and personal or organisational characteristics.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of empirical investigation or inquiry as a scientist-practitioner, predicated on the principles of clinical psychological practice, with a variety of psychological phenomena or problems.
• Demonstrate the ability to undertake effective communication across a range of individual and organisational contexts to engage clients and to convey, appraise and interpret information relevant to professional practice and the client population.

Career outcomes

Clinical psychologists are specialists in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems and mental illness.

They work in a wide range of community settings, including private practices, hospitals, general medical practices, community health services and universities. Clinical psychologists also function as valued members of multi-disciplinary teams where they work alongside practitioners from other health and medical disciplines.

Fees and CSP

Indicative fee in 2026: From $4,738 up to $17,399 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $35,520 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Additional expenses:

• Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): $373 maximum fee for 2026.
• Other items related to your program include field trips, textbooks and equipment.

The amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis. These fees should only be used as a guide.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

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

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'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – 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 unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending 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.