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Pursue your passion and upgrade your career to become a practising Clinical Psychologist with JCU’s Master of Psychology (Clinical).

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#1 in Australia

for median graduate salary Good Universities Guide 2023, PG Psychology

5 Stars

for full-time employment Good Universities Guide 2023, PG Psychology

Greater qualification

A step toward accreditation

Townsville

Townsville: February

$4,124.00⁺

$32,600.00^{^}

⁺estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load

^{^}estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible

2 years full-time

Class 1 or 2A honours from AQF Level 8 bachelor honours degree accredited by the Australian Psychological Society; or equivalent. Must hold Provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia.

102304

What to expect

Through this course you will gain the advanced academic and practical training for professional practice that is required for registration as a practising psychologist.

Benefit from JCU’s research focus and learn from world-renowned lecturers and leading industry professionals. Access JCU’s observation suites and world-class training facilities and develop professional skills through extensive professional placements.

Consult the handbook for further information.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Master of Psychology (Clinical).

Career Opportunities

This course provides advanced academic and practical postgraduate training at a level sufficient to meet the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council’s (APAC) accreditation criteria.

Upon completing the Master of Psychology (Clinical), graduates will be eligible for full, general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. After two years of supervised practice in the field, graduates will also be eligible for membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2023
Course code	102304
Course type	Masters Degree (Coursework) (AQF Level 9)
Professional accreditation status	The Townsville course offering is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The Singapore course offering is not professionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Owner	Academy
College	Healthcare Sciences

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Domestic students must hold provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia.

Completion of an AQF level 8 bachelor honours degree with Class 1 or 2A honours from a course accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council or equivalent qualification from an overseas institution; or

Other qualifications or practical experience recognised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Tropical Health and Medicine as equivalent to the above.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3c – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

Additional selection requirements

Interview (by invitation)

Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points	48 credit points as per course structure
Additional completion requirements	Students may be excluded from continuing if they are awarded less than a Pass grade on two occasions during their course of study.
Course learning outcomes	On successful completion of the Master of Psychology (Clinical), graduates will be able to: Adapt and apply complex and contemporary knowledge, skills, and technical competencies in clinical psychology to facilitate quality client outcomes with consideration of culturally and linguistically diverse populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the diverse populations of tropical and rural and remote areas. Apply mastery knowledge of research principles, methods, and ethics to plan and execute a substantial piece of research that addresses a complex theoretical or professional practice issue in clinical psychology. Expertly communicate with clients, families, community and organisational representatives, and other health professionals. Synthesise, evaluate, and apply theories, evidence-based practice, and ethical considerations to design and deliver safe and effective assessment and interventions for client groups of varying age, gender, socioeconomic status and culture, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Operate individually and with full consideration of the principles of inter-professional learning and practice in accordance with legal, ethical, and organisational guidelines, incorporating referral processes where relevant. Reflect critically and respectfully on the practice of one’s self and others within the inter-professional health care team to ensure quality practice, and to plan ongoing professional learning.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements	Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Postgraduate Psychology.
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

Year 1

Teaching period 1

PY5301:03 Professional Practice

PY5302:03 Evidence-based Practice

PY5303:03 Mental Health Disorders Across the Lifespan

PY5304:03 Assessment in Psychology

Teaching period 2

PY6301:09 Clinical Psychology Placement A

PY6401:03 Clinical Psychology Masters Research Proposal

Year 2

Teaching period 1

PY5305:03 Biopsychosocial and Cultural Models of Health

PY6302:06 Clinical Psychology Placement B

PY6402:03 Clinical Psychology Masters Research Thesis Part 1 of 2

Teaching period 2

PY6303:09 Clinical Psychology Placement C

PY6403:03 Clinical Psychology Masters Research Thesis Part 2 of 2

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT

NOTES

JCU Singapore

This course offering is not accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

No mid-year entry

JCU Townsville

This course offering is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

No mid-year entry

Candidature

Expected time to complete	2 years full-time
Maximum time to complete	3 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Students must complete PY6301 Clinical Psychology Placement A prior to undertaking any other placement subjects.
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	Minimum 1000 hours. Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Procedure. Students may be required to undertake placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled at their own expense.
Special assessment requirements	Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy.
Professional accreditation requirements	Please note that while successful course completion via the Townsville course offering leads directly to general registration as a psychologist in Australia, endorsement as a clinical psychologist in Australia requires an additional period of approved supervised practice. Please see http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au for further information
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Credit

Eligibility	Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure.
Maximum allowed	12 credit points, unless part of an approved articulation process.
Currency	Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 15 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	Nil

Award Details

Award title	MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGY (CLINICAL)
Approved abbreviation	MPsych(Clin)
Exit with lesser award	Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have completed the appropriate subjects, may be eligible to receive a Graduate Certificate of Clinical Psychology or a Graduate Diploma of Clinical Psychology offered by the Division of Tropical Health and Medicine.
Course articulation	Nil
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD4,124.00

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD32,600.00

A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

Pathways to JCU

Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.

How to apply

Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.

Closing dates for applications: 30 September. Only complete applications received by Midnight 30 September will be accepted.

Applicants are required to submit two referee reports. One of these must be an academic reference.

Applicants must also complete and upload the following forms and documentary evidence with their application:

Degree transcript and Testamur
Curriculum Vitae
Academic reference
Clinical or employment reference
Personal Statement outlining your motivation to study the Master of Psychology (Clinical) and how the degree will impact your future work in rural or remote setting.

Short-listing of applicants will be undertaken in October with interview offers sent in late October.

Interviews will occur in mid-November. All short-listed applicants must attend a face-to-face interview if in the Queensland catchment area.

Student

Billie McKeen

Master of Psychology (Clinical)

The subjects cover a wide range of skills in assessment, therapeutic intervention and research. The course ensures that students graduate ready for professional practice, with a high skill set and specialised understanding of psychology.
Alumni

Debbie Vanzoelen

Master of Psychology (Clinical)

A remote placement in Mount Isa was the highlight of my studies. It gave me opportunities to extend my learning and led to employment in the region for several years. The best part of the course was working with students and lecturers who formed an important professional network, with many becoming lifelong friends.
Lecturer

Dr Meegan Kilcullen

Senior Lecturer, Master of Psychology (Clinical)

We train clinicians to think critically, to be creative and flexible, and to be adaptive to any clinical environment, particularly in the tropics. We are dedicated to supporting students to become clinical psychologists who are self-reflexive and culturally responsive in their practice.