University of South Australia
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Gain a qualification that enables students to become registered psychologists immediately upon graduation and begin clinical psychology registrar training.
Course overview
The Master of Psychology (Clinical) degree is for students who want to become clinical psychologists.
The curriculum is relevant and up-to-date, designed in consultation with practitioners, academics and students and accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. You'll gain an advanced understanding of established empirically supported best practices and recent developments in clinical psychology. You’ll also explore research principles and how they apply to clinical psychology.
You can practice your skills in our on-campus Psychology Clinic under the supervision of fully qualified clinical psychologists.
Students studying this degree will be required to undertake Criminal History Checks through the Department of Human Services (DHS), a National Police Record Check and complete a one-day Safe Environments for Children and Young People course prior to being accepted for work placements. Some placements may also require students to hold a current driver's licence and or additional requirements as requested by a specific placement provider.
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 Psychology (Clinical), you must take 72 units or 15 courses. Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth 4.5 units.
Core courses
Complete the following courses:
- Advanced Clinical Psychology Ethics and Professional Issues
- Clinical Skills
- Basic Psychology Clinic Practice
- Adult Psychopathology
- Adult Psychological Assessment
- Advanced Psychology Clinic Practice
- Child and Adolescent Psychological Assessment
- Child and Adolescent Psychopathology and Interventions
- Specialised Interventions
- Health Psychology, Behavioural Medicine and Psychopharmacology
- Multicultural and Indigenous Responsiveness in Clinical Psychology
- Clinical Psychology Research Project A
- Clinical Psychology Research Project B (nine units)
- External Clinical Psychology Practicum 1
- External Clinical Psychology Practicum 2
Entry requirements
Applicants must have completed a four-year psychology honours degree with at least an upper second class or equivalent overall mark or an equivalent degree accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Selection for the Master of Psychology (Clinical) is highly competitive. Applicants must supply a CV, a written statement and two confidential referee reports so that prior professional experience and acquired skills can be considered in the ranking process. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.
Successful applicants must obtain provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia before enrolling. Please see the Psychology Board (AHPRA) website for more information about provisional registration. Please consider the fees and eligibility requirements of provisional registration before applying for this program.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer (study credit) formally recognises your prior learning and previous work/life experience. It can be granted for specific courses (subjects) or for a block of courses where your previous qualification or experience is equivalent to the learning.
So, what counts as prior learning? It can be from one of the following providers:
- Recognised higher education provider.
- TAFE or other recognised VET provider.
- A professional body, enterprise, private educational institution, or other similar body.
- Work experience.
Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
You will gain an advanced understanding of recent developments in clinical psychology. You will also explore research principles and how they apply to clinical psychology. You will develop:
- Knowledge of development, psychopathology and the biopsychosocial factors that influence mental health.
- Clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis and intervention.
- The ability to reflect critically on psychological theory and professional practice in clinical psychology.
- Communication and technical research skills.
Career outcomes
Successful psychologists have the ability to listen, observe and analyse. Exceptional interpersonal skills are a must, as is the ability to think clearly and logically and communicate easily. If you have all these traits, the job prospects in Australia in psychological science are expected to grow in the coming years.
The Master of Psychology (Clinical) is a specialised degree which prepares trainees to become clinical psychologists. Graduates of this degree would be equipped for any of the following careers:
- Clinical psychologist: identify, diagnose and assist in the treatment of adult and child emotional, mental and behavioural problems through the use of behavioural medicine, observation, interviews and tests.
- Clinical psychology researcher: researching mental health disorders and their alleviation.
- Academic: conducting mental health research and/or teaching clinical psychology within an educational institution.
Fees and CSP
Estimated annual fee in 2025: $4,627 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The estimated fee is based on 1 EFTSL (Equivalent Full-Time Study Load).
Student fees may vary per:
- 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.
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'll 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.
