Southern Cross University
Master of Professional Psychology
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Provides foundational knowledge and skills, supported by passionate and knowledgeable teachers.
Course overview
The Master of Professional Psychology will provide students with the skills and advanced knowledge in the core areas of professional psychological practice. Graduates will be well-prepared to complete their final year of supervised internship before applying for registration as general psychologists.
The MPP is a comprehensive combination of coursework and practical experience to build your knowledge and skills in psychological assessments and evidence-based interventions across the life span, as well as ethical, professional and cultural considerations in psychological practice.
Key features
- Coursework units are delivered online by experts in the field. Students engage in active, interactive and discussion-based learning and are guided in completing online learning modules.
- With the Southern Cross Model's innovative and unique model, each unit is completed over six weeks, with a two-week break between terms. This shorter structure delivers a deeper, immersive learning experience for students, centred on greater interactivity and connection with real-world applications.
- Students will develop their practical skills by observing and participating in role play and other activities at the two one-week residentials at the Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus.
- Students will apply their knowledge and skills from coursework to professional psychological practice in real-world settings by completing a compulsory 300-hour placement.
- During your placement, you will be supervised by an experienced board-approved psychologist supervisor.
- Placement settings are diverse and are generally located between the Gold Coast and Port Macquarie (including inland surrounding areas) and within the footprint of the university campuses located at Coffs Harbour, Lismore and the Gold Coast.
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
From $2,124 (CSP)
What you will study
To gain the Master of Professional Psychology award, students must complete seven units. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth 12 credit points.
Core units
- Culture, Communication and Professional Practice
- Research Methods for Psychology Practitioners
- Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Adults
- Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Children and Adolescents
- Psychological Interventions: Adults
- Psychological Interventions: Children and Adolescents
- Professional Psychology Practicum (24 credit points)
Entry requirements
Applicants must:
- Have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year sequence in psychology within the last ten years with a Second Class Honours Division one (or above) (Honours AQF Level 8) or equivalent.
- Be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
- Submit a maximum 400-word response to “What attributes will you bring to the psychology profession?” or similar.
- Provide two referee reports (this could be either one Academic and one Professional reference, or two Professional References, depending on your circumstances) that comment on suitability for the professional psychology program and psychological practice. Referee reports must be submitted via the Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference Request System. Professional experience is desired.
Shortlisted applicants must attend an interview by a panel comprising at least two members of the academic staff of the Discipline of Psychology.
Additional requirements:
Once accepted into the program, but before undertaking any units of study, students must provide evidence of:
- Provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
- National Police Certificate.
- Working with Children Check.
English language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows:
- Overall Score or equivalent: 7.0
- Reading: 7.0
- Writing: 7.0
- Listening: 7.0
- Speaking: 7.0
Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course based on your existing knowledge and skills. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Apply evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches to psychological practice across the lifespan with a range of socially and culturally diverse people.
- Synthesise, analyse and interpret complex information, from multiple sources to determine the most appropriate psychological intervention, including the management of risk.
- Engage in self-reflective professional practice, taking into account the impact of personal values and beliefs, with appropriate actions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal requirements and effective work practises whilst operating within the scope of professional practice.
- Apply a range of skills and theoretical knowledge to select, administer and interpret a comprehensive range of psychological assessments.
- Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature and utilise advanced research and academic skills to inform professional practice.
- Demonstrate professional communication skills that are culturally responsive and adaptable across all psychological practices.
- Monitor, evaluate and reflect on the effectiveness of professional practice at the level of the consumer, within their support networks and the broader community, implementing changes as needed.
Career outcomes
The Master of Professional Psychology is an accredited fifth-year degree on the '5+1' pathway to general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
After graduating from the Master of Professional Psychology program and completing a one-year internship and the National Psychology Exam, graduates will be eligible to apply for general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
As a psychologist with general registration, career opportunities include but are not limited to community, mental health and forensic services; private practice; public, non-government and not-for-profit organisations; recruitment and primary, secondary and tertiary education.
Fees and CSP
Estimated tuition fee in 2025: $16,992 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative tuition fee in 2025: $28,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Tuition fees are calculated based on a full-time study load of eight units or 96 credit points.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
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. 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.
