Become a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological and mental health conditions.
Based on an integrative approach to clinical psychology that emphasises evidence-based practice, this course has been designed in consultation with industry partners. Interrelated steams of theory, research and practice provide the skills needed to become a registered psychologist.
Our award winning teaching strategies and learning resources, include simulation and competency-based assessment approaches.
The course is based on the scientist/practitioner model that rests firmly on a foundation of established knowledge and current evidence-based research.
As a student in our clinical training programs, you will have opportunities to develop clinical skills in our unique clinics embedded in our public mental health partners, Eastern Health and Barwon Health and through placements in an array of community agencies. This lets you put your academic knowledge into real-life application, as well as develops your professional identity and practice through early adoption of supervision and professional learning plans.
Most clinical psychologists develop expertise in specific areas or practise in sub-specialisations of clinical psychology. In addition to professional practice, clinical psychologists may be involved in research, teaching and supervision, program development and evaluation, public policy and other activities that promote psychological health in individuals, families and groups.
Deakin’s psychology courses are well regarded in the workplace, as are our graduates, with Deakin psychology students highly successful in gaining employment after graduation, and a significant number employed prior to the completion of their studies.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and recognised by Psychology Board of Australia, the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and its College of Clinical Psychologists. On completion of the course you may apply to the Psychology Board of Australia for registration as a psychologist and to the APS for full membership. To obtain membership of the Clinical College of the APS and endorsement by the Psychology Board of Australia as a clinical psychologist, students are required to complete two years of approved supervised practice and fulfil professional development requirements.
Note: This course is currently accredited at the date of publishing. The eligibility of students for registration by the Psychology Board of Australia, and for membership of the APS and its Clinical College is subject to meeting the requirements of the regulatory body and the professional association. Deakin University makes no representation that students will meet those requirements.
Placement program
The clinical placements are designed to equip students with a range of professional skills and an awareness of professional issues. You will have placements in at least three different settings, so that you can gain experience of adult, adolescent and child problems; community and institutional care; and medical and non-medical agencies. Your placement program will be determined jointly by you, the placement coordinators, and the practitioners supervising the placements. Contracts will be drawn up which will clearly specify the skills to be taught and the responsibilities of the student and placement supervisor. Placement supervisors are registered and endorsed clinical psychologists, eligible for membership of the College of Clinical Psychologists of the Australian Psychological Society. Each placement requires the full complement of days to be completed. Failure of any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.
Course rules
To complete the Master of Psychology (Clinical) students must attain 16 credit points covering three strands: theory, research and practice. Students will complete a minimum of 4 credit points each trimester over two years. All units are core (these are compulsory).
Note: All coursework units have a hurdle requirement of 80 per cent attendance. A pass grade in a unit requires satisfactory completion of each component assessed.
