Postgraduate Course

Master of Applied Psychology in Clinical Psychology

Become a highly skilled clinical psychologist that can provide services in assessment, treatment, research and evaluation, at the individual and system levels.

What type of student are you?

Murdoch code
M1156
Study mode
Full Time or Part Time
Duration
2
Selection rank
CRICOS code
079349G
First year fee (domestic)
$33,960
First year fee (international)
$37,080
Full course fee (domestic)
$67,920
Full course fee (international)
$74,160
Apply

The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.

Overview

If you’re working towards becoming a registered psychologist or a clinical psychologist and have completed your fourth year, this course provides you with the education required to complete the 2-year higher degree pathway towards an endorsement in clinical psychology. If you are already working as a registered psychologist, you’ll gain expertise in clinical practice through this course.

Clinical psychology focuses on a strict scientist-practitioner model that emphasises a systematic problem-solving approach that will prepare you with the skills you need for working with a diverse range of clients. You will learn how to apply your skills and knowledge in clinical psychology and work with individuals and groups across the lifespan.  

You’ll learn through coursework, practicum, and research components, undertaking at least three practical placements to hone your skills in clinical psychology.

3 reasons to study a Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical) at Murdoch

  1. Learn from leading academics and experienced clinicians who are committed to helping you succeed in your studies.
  2. Gain professional experience with clients through at least three practical placements, including our on-campus community-oriented psychology clinic, and with external agencies.
  3. Establish a network of valuable industry contacts through your external practical placement that will open up employment opportunities when you graduate. Murdoch has arrangements with a wide variety of service providers including public and private hospitals, education providers, community mental health services, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, disability services and more.

What you'll learn

  • Clinical assessment, interviewing, diagnosis, and test administration.
  • Psychotherapy and evidence-based practice in clinical psychology.
  • A range of approaches for working effectively with children, families, and adults in their social and cultural context.
  • Clinical assessment and treatment of mental health problems, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities across the lifespan.
  • Working and communicating effectively with other professionals in clinical planning, assessment, and implementing interventions.

Your future career

Psychologists are emerging as highly employable professionals in contemporary health services, given their strong grounding in effective interventions, solid assessment skills and their ability to devise and implement research. Clinical psychology remains the most popular area of practice endorsement within psychology both in Australia and internationally. 

You will be highly employable in a wide variety of areas, including private practice as a registered psychologist or clinical psychologist, and working in various public and private sector agencies in areas such as health, community mental health, justice, education, and disabilities.

Pathway information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants
Murdoch University aspires to be the first choice for First Nations peoples. We wholeheartedly welcome and encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to consider applying for our psychology programs. Across our psychology courses, places are reserved for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. While these applicants must meet the specified criteria for each course to gain admission, they will not go through the competitive selection process. These places are reserved under an exemption to the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, which is applied to promote equality and aligns with Australian Indigenous Psychology Education Project (AIPEP) guidelines for creating equity pathways for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants. If you would like more information, please contact Charles Young at charles.young@murdoch.edu.au.

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited as a Level 4 course by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Professional recognition

Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for registration with the  Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and for endorsement of practice in clinical psychology.

Read More

Read Less

Progress to structure
Study areas
Apply to start
Learn more about attendance modes
View the dates for our teaching periods
Sign up to hear from us

Stay informed about upcoming events, news, courses, and much more. Your journey begins here.

Progress to structure

Structure

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Total credit points: 48

Unit code Unit name Credit points
Course Core48 credit points
Required Units 48 credit points
PSY502Clinical Psychology: Working with Health Problems3
PSY537Clinical Psychology: Internal Practicum I3
PSY538Clinical Psychology: Internal Practicum II3
PSY565Clinical Psychology: Working with Adults3
PSY567Clinical Psychology: Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Disability Across the Lifespan3
PSY604Clinical Psychology: External Practicum12
PSY613Clinical Psychology: Advanced Research Methods3
PSY614Clinical Psychology Dissertation 13
PSY615Clinical Psychology Dissertation 23
PSY616Clinical Psychology Dissertation 33
PSY662Psychological Assessment: Theory and Method3
PSY664Clinical Psychology: Working with Children and Families3
PSY669Psychotherapy in Practice3
Progress to entry requirements
Progress to entry requirements

Entry requirements

Entry to this course is very competitive and requires a recognised and accredited Bachelor of Arts degree (or Bachelor of Science degree) with at least 2A Honours in Psychology or its equivalent (for example an average Distinction level in a Bachelor of Psychology or Postgraduate/Graduate Diplomas in Psychology). Applicants will also need to supply referee reports and a personal statement that details their past accomplishments, future plans, and interests in the graduate psychology program for which they have applied as part of the admission process. Students with overseas qualifications who are accepted into the course and who wish to seek registration in Australia after graduation should ensure that their undergraduate qualifications meet the requirements of the relevant psychology registration board for equivalence to a four-year Australian degree in Psychology. Applications with qualifications obtained outside Australia must have a formal assessment completed by the Australian Psychological Society before submitting an application for study. The admission process includes both application and interview.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Other Requirements

Graduate students must be registered from the start of their higher degree as a provisional psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia within the first two weeks of commencing the program. As many agencies require all staff working with their clients to have police clearance, applicants are required to obtain a Federal police clearance (which will include WA clearance). In addition, if working with children, a separate screening by the Department of Community Development is required. Any agency will only be seeking information about behaviours that may place vulnerable clients at risk. The applicant meets the cost of these clearances. Please note that some organisations providing professional placements may require students to provide full immunisation records. Applicants must be in a position to provide these records if required.

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

 

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai  and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

Progress to fees and scholarships

Fees and scholarships

Students in a lecture theatre

Scholarships

Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship.

Whether you’re a high achiever or have experienced hardship, we offer a wide range of scholarships and awards to students from all walks of life. Explore our scholarships to find the ones you could be eligible for as a new Murdoch student as well as what's available throughout your degree.

Find your scholarship
cbd

How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.

View Fee Calculator
Progress to how to apply

How to apply

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:

  1. Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
  2. Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements

Course specific documents

  1. A completed Personal Statement
  2. A recent Curriculum Vitae
  3. Two referee reports – one academic and one professional to be submitted by your referees here

Recommended documents (if applicable)

  1. Change of name documentation
  2. Marriage certificate
  3. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

  1. Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
    • Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
    • Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
  2. GTE documents (if applicable) - Check the GTE requirements page for further information
    • GTE Form 2
    • Personal Statement (SOP)
    • Up to date Curriculum Vitae
  3. A copy of your Passport

Course specific documents

  1. A completed Personal Statement
  2. A recent Curriculum Vitae
  3. Two referee reports – one academic and one professional to be submitted by your referees here

Recommended documents

  1. A copy of your visa documents (if available)
  2. A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
  3. Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
  4. Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
  5. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
How to apply
how-to-apply

All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.

The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.

For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.

Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.

The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.

The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.

All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.