Master of Psychology (Clinical)

What you will study

To qualify for the award, a candidate must pass units to the value of 96 credit points. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth six credit points.

Entry requirements

This course is offered under three admission rules:

Rule A

You have completed ONE of the following qualification pathways:

• Within the past ten years* you have completed a four-year Bachelor Honours qualification in Psychology (AQF Level 8), which includes a full sequence of units in Psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
• AND you have achieved a minimum of second-class division one honours or equivalent.
• AND you are eligible for registration as a provisional psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• OR you have completed a three-year AQF Level 7 qualification (or equivalent, such as a Graduate Diploma in Psychology) which includes a full sequence of units in Psychology accredited by APAC.
• AND within the past ten years* you have completed an APAC-accredited fourth year in Psychology (AQF Level 8 Honours or Graduate Diploma) with a minimum of second-class division one honours or equivalent.
• AND you are eligible for registration as a provisional psychologist with AHPRA.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule A. Rule A: Students must study on campus during their first year and may transition to online study during their second year.

Rule B

You have completed the UNE Master of Professional Psychology (AQF Level 9) and met the entry requirements of Rule A.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B. Rule B students must study the unit PSYC513 on campus.

Rule C

You meet ALL of the following entry requirements:

• You have held general registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) without conditions for a minimum of twelve months.
• You have completed a minimum of twelve months of practice in the role of psychologist with general registration.
• You can provide documentary evidence of the above in the form of a letter from your employer/s.
• You meet the entry requirements of Rule A (with the exception of the eligibility for provisional registration with AHPRA requirement).

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule C. Rule C students must study online.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Advanced Standing is credit or recognition of your previous study, work and/or life experience. This can reduce the cost and length of your studies.

Course Entry Advanced Standing

Some entry rules come with Advanced Standing or Articulation Programs that are assessed automatically without the need for you to fill in an additional application. Simply apply for your course and we’ll look after the rest.

• If you are admitted under Rule B, you will be granted 42 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing, including 12 credit points of Advanced Standing for the unit PSYC534 Clinical Psychology Placement II (External) on the basis of having completed PSYC533 Psychology Practice Placement. A further six credit points of Advanced Standing may be granted for PSYC516 for candidates who completed PSYC512 in 2021 or 2022 only. You cannot apply for further Advanced Standing.
• If you are admitted under Rule C, you will be granted 12 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing for the unit PSYC534 Clinical Psychology Placement II (External) on the basis of holding general registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Individual Unit Advanced Standing

If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your study within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing. In this course, Advanced Standing can only be granted when there is strict equivalence and your previous studies were completed in an APAC-accredited 5th-year Psychology course within the past ten years.

• If you are admitted under Rule A, you can apply for up to 48 credit points of Advanced Standing for coursework units.
• If you are admitted under Rule C, you can apply for up to a further 36 credit points of Advanced Standing for coursework units.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• An advanced body of knowledge of the theories, principles and practice of applied clinical psychology and an understanding of the management of psychological disorders.
• Apply diagnostic interviewing, counselling skills and assessment and management of risk.
• Apply the principles and practice of clinical assessment, diagnosis and case formulation, taking account of wider contextual and cultural factors.
• Execute psychological testing and test data interpretation using a culturally responsive approach.
• Execute high-level skills in individual and group clinical interventions across the lifespan, using an evidence-based and culturally responsive approach.
• Monitor treatment progress, modify approach based on evolving formulation and evaluate treatment outcomes.
• Apply advanced skills in research and evaluation within a scientist-practitioner framework.
• Consult and collaborate appropriately and ethically with other professionals in the management of complex case presentations, including in rural settings.
• Effectively knowledge of the legal and professional frameworks for practice and engage in supervision, self-reflection and self-care.
• Apply cultural responsiveness when working with clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including ATSI peoples.
• Apply knowledge and skills with proficiency in the workplace.

Career outcomes

With a career as a registered psychologist, you could consider roles in a range of settings, including:   

• Hospitals and community health services
• Academic and applied research
• Law courts and prisons
• Private practice
• Market research
• Schools and other education providers

Fees and CSP

Estimated first-year fee in 2025: $4,608 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Estimated first-year fee in 2025: $35,496 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated amenities fee per year if studying full-time: $365

The costs will depend on the units you choose to study, as the cost of individual units varies. “Estimated fees” are provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking a study load of 48 credit points in the first year of this course. For courses that require fewer than 48 credit points, the fees indicated are based on the total credit points needed for the completion of that course.

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.

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.
• Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

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.

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