University of Canberra
Master of Clinical Psychology
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Provides students with rigorous professional training and equips them with the skills and knowledge to become registered clinical psychologists.
Course overview
The Master of Clinical Psychology course is an intensive two-year academic journey. Through a mix of advanced coursework, supervised practicum placements and a research project on a topic of clinical relevance, you will acquire in-depth assessment, evaluation and intervention skills that will prepare you to work as a practising psychologist.
Upon enrollment, you will be registered as a provisional psychologist and then go on to complete up to 1,000 hours of supervised practical placements. The first two placements will be in the University’s student-led Health Clinic, where you will gain exposure to inter-professional practice with additional training opportunities occurring in workplace settings, always under the support and supervision of experienced academic mentors.
During this course, you will undertake four practical placements totalling 1000 hours. The first two placements will be in the student-led clinic on campus and take place in a range of different settings, including working with children, adolescents, adults and older people and in a variety of organisations. In each situation, you will develop your competencies as a clinical psychologist by working with clients under supervision.
Study a Master of Clinical Psychology at UC and you will:
- Use your knowledge of psychology and mental health to critically assess, diagnose, develop case formulations, treat and prevent psychological problems and mental health issues across the lifespan.
- Understand your profession and the unique role of clinical psychologists in providing evidence-based psychological services, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, research and consultancy services across diverse settings.
- Understand psychopathology, psychopharmacology and psychological medicine and neurological issues relevant to mental health presentations, diagnostic systems, health psychology and behavioural medicine.
- Transform research and evaluation findings into policy, applied knowledge and improved treatments.
- Provide competent expert oral and written reports to various stakeholders on psychological matters for health, medical, medico-legal and forensic purposes.
- Competently work within a cross-cultural context.
- Practice with children, adolescents, adults and older persons in a manner relevant to Clinical Psychology.
- Conduct high-level, advanced, independent research on a topic of clinical relevance.
Key facts
What you will study
To earn the Master of Clinical Psychology course, students must complete 48 credit points. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth three credit points.
Required
Students must pass 48 credit points as follows:
- Professional Psychological Practice
- Health Psychology for Clinicians
- Practicum Placement 1
- Practicum Placement 2
- Practicum Placement 3
- Practicum Placement 4
- Introduction to Assessment and Intervention
- Adult Psychopathology, Assessment and Treatment
- Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Assessment and Treatment
- Psychological Assessment Across the Lifespan
- Advanced Assessment and Intervention A
- Advanced Assessment and Intervention B
- Postgraduate Psychology Research Project 1
- Postgraduate Psychology Research Project 2
- Postgraduate Psychology Research Project 3 (six credit points)
Entry requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Completing a four-year APAC-accredited sequence in psychology, typically an honours degree, within the last 10 years with a minimum GPA of 75%.
- Be eligible for, or hold, provisional registration as a psychologist with AHPRA.
Additional admission requirements
Applicants must also provide:
- A current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Proof of eligibility for registration as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
- Two referee reports were submitted through the Psychology Reference Portal.
Shortlisted applicants (domestic and international) will be required to attend an interview in which their suitability for clinical practice will be assessed. Interviews are preferably attended in person (on campus). Requests for an online interview can be submitted in special circumstances for consideration. Unfortunately, the time and date of the interview are not negotiable due to the tight scheduling requirements.
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible, you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course, please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previous studies or professional work experience that is relevant to your intended field of study at UC, you can gain credit towards your degree. This reduces the number of units you must take to complete your course, meaning you could finish your studies sooner and save money too.
For more information, please get in touch with the university or visit its website.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Advanced psychological knowledge about psychopathology across the life span, aetiological models (including cultural considerations), epidemiology and relevant international taxonomies of classification of psychological disorders.
- Competence in applying the scientist-practitioner model and model of evidence-based practice to the field of clinical psychology.
- Competence in applying advanced psychological knowledge and skills in psychological assessment using multiple modalities.
- Application of ethical practice of clinical psychology with clients and other professions in culturally responsive and safe ways, including working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
- Advanced skills in the design, implementation and production of psychological research as it relates to the field of clinical psychology.
- Development of advanced knowledge of psychopharmacology and models of health as they relate to psychological disorders.
- Advanced skills in critically evaluating psychological research related to aetiological models and treatment of psychological disorders.
- Advanced specialist knowledge and skills in areas complementary to clinical psychology practice.
- Competence in applying advanced skills to interpret and integrate information from multi-modal psychological assessments and multi-disciplinary teams to inform case formulations, diagnosis and intervention.
Career outcomes
Career opportunities for Clinical Psychologists are considerable and UC graduates are in high demand across a wide range of services within the public and private sectors. For example:
- Private practice supporting members of the public
- Health departments, hospitals and community practices
- National, state or local government or non-government organisations
- Welfare agencies, educational institutions, defence, justice and community services
Fees and FEE-HELP
Domestic full-fee paying place in 2026:
- Fee per unit: $4,437.50
- Fee per annum: $35,500
- Full-course fee: $71,000
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- 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.
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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
