Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) |
| Deakin course code | H951 |
| Course credit points | 24 |
| Course version | 2 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2014 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Online | No |
| Duration | 3.5 to 4 years full-time. |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 022556D Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 10 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Pathways
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Third party arrangements
- Other learning experiences
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Develop advanced expertise in clinical psychology research and practice with the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical). Grounded in a science-practitioner model, the program combines advanced clinical training, independent research and extensive placement experience to prepare you for safe and effective professional practice and future endorsement pathways in clinical psychology.
You will build advanced capabilities in psychological assessment, intervention and evidence-based practice while undertaking clinically applied research that contributes to the field of clinical psychology. Clinical placements across public mental health and community settings provide opportunities to work with children, adolescents, adults and families while strengthening your skills in assessment, case formulation and intervention.
Through reflective practice, supervision and practical learning experiences, you will develop the professional, research and leadership capabilities needed for careers across clinical practice, research, academia, policy and service evaluation. Accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), the program supports your pathway towards general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology.
Indicative student workload
The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) program is a full-time course and as such, it requires a full-time commitment from students.
Nevertheless, it is recognised that many students will need to work to support themselves for the duration of their study. Students are advised that working over and above 8 hours per week is likely to impact their progress through the course.
The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) program is a multi-campus program across Deakin Burwood, Deakin Waterfront and Waurn Ponds. The face-to-face coursework component is predominantly held at the Burwood Campus in a purpose built clinical teaching facility. Some teaching will be held in Geelong including some full-day clinical teaching workshops while other aspects of the teaching and learning occurs online. As part of their placement program, trainees will engage in placements in key partnerships across Barwon Health and metropolitan Melbourne as well as rural and regional placement opportunities.
Professional recognition
The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). It is a postgraduate program of study for the purpose of obtaining full registration as a psychologist with the the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and to provide preparation for entry into a registrar program leading to an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology with the PsyBA
Career opportunities
Clinical psychologists are specialists in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological and mental health conditions that range from mild to severe and complex. They might be involved in designing and implementing mental health prevention and treatment programs, and may work with infants, children, adolescents, adults and older adults. Graduates typically are employed in one of the many government and non-government agencies that employ clinical psychologists in either community or hospital settings. After several years of practice and clinical supervision, some clinical psychologists establish a private practice. 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.
Participation requirements
Students are required to complete 4 compulsory clinical placements of 2-3 days per week for approximately 20-25 weeks. These placements include at least one placement in the Barwon region. Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.
If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.
Mandatory student checks
Department of Human Services policy - Police Record Check and Working With Children Check
Under the regulations of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, Master of Psychology students are required to be provisionally registered from the commencement of enrolment and for the duration of enrolment in their degree. This is a mandatory requirement. Students should apply online for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as soon as they have been accepted into the degree.
In accordance with the Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, amended 2017, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.
In accordance with Department of Human Services policy, all students are required to undertake a Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course.
Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.
Pathways
As a HDR program, it is not typical for students to seek for transfer to an alternative course. In the unusual circumstances where students are not meeting the competencies for the coursework and practice aspects of the program, they may seek to or be encouraged to transfer to a research only program (including to a PhD). In these cases they must can apply in the usual manner for entry into the PhD course, competing with newly applying HDR students. They must also successfully undertake a Doctoral level thesis confirmation.
Thesis
The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) is a research degree and requires students to complete a thesis equivalent in conceptual complexity to the traditional research PhD, but of somewhat lesser size and scope. The thesis consists of two components: 1) a Major Investigative Project, involving a report on an empirical study or series of studies on a topic of relevance to clinical psychology and that can be undertaken by publication or in traditional form; and 2) Clinical Research Portfolio comprising of four n-of-1 case studies that include a critical appraisal of relevant literature. Each student will work with a supervisory team to complete their thesis.
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply advanced psychological knowledge of aetiology, progression and recovery from psychopathology, and relevant taxonomies to culturally safe assessment and identification of psychological disorders, current functioning, and risk to self and others. Display advanced knowledge of psychological theories and scientific methods, including through appropriate application of culturally responsive and evidence-based clinical psychology assessment and treatment across the lifespan. |
| Communicate safely and effectively with clients, carers, and colleagues, including discussing risks and benefits of assessment and intervention, in a variety of settings in which clinical psychologists work, including health and medical settings. |
| Ethically use a range of digital technologies including research databases, eHealth, and artificial intelligence applications to support evidence-based clinical psychology practice, research, innovation and evaluation. |
| Critically evaluate, interpret and synthesise research findings with assessment data to inform formulation, diagnoses and treatment approaches for clients and apply these appropriately for the context; synthesise, apply, and analyse existing and new knowledge to develop new concepts or interpretations through engagement in ethical research. |
| Demonstrate and apply an understanding of outcome-based and evidence-based treatment and assessment approaches relevant to the practise of clinical psychology, including through collaborative goal setting and client feedback, and ongoing evaluation of symptom change and other therapeutic outcomes. Make a substantial and original contribution that advances scholarship or professional practice in clinical psychology. |
| Proactively engage in reflection and supervision to identify strengths and areas for development, and the impact of culture, values, beliefs, biases and self-care practices on one’s own practice; develop and implement related goals to practise competently in line with clinical psychology practice standards, codes of ethical practice and relevant legal frameworks. |
| Operate effectively within intra- and inter-disciplinary teams, respecting diverse cultural perspectives, skills and contributions, and practising within the boundaries of professional and cultural competence across a range of settings in which clinical psychologists operate. |
| Practise clinical psychology ethically and legally, in culturally informed, trauma-aware and neuro-affirming ways. Apply knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands peoples’ psychology frameworks and demonstrate a commitment to decolonising clinical psychology practice. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) you must pass 24 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 24 credit points of core units
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Course structure
Core units
Level 1 - Trimester 1
| HPS914 | Studies in Psychopathology |
| HPS977 | Psychological Intervention 1 |
| HPS976 | Issues in Professional Psychology |
| HPY940 | Psychological Assessment 1 |
Level 1 - Trimester 2
| HPS910 | Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 1 |
| HPS907 | Advanced Clinical Research Methods |
| HPS908 | Psychological Intervention 2 |
| HPS924 | Research Thesis A |
Level 2 - Trimester 1
| HPS915 | Psychological Intervention 3 |
| HPS910 | Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 1 (continued) |
| HPS925 | Research Thesis B |
| HPS979 | Psychological Assessment 2 |
Level 2 - Trimester 2
| HPS912 | Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 2 |
| HPS926 | Research Thesis C |
| HPS978 | Clinical Health Psychology |
Level 3 - Trimester 1
| HPS916 | Psychological Intervention 4 |
| HPS917 | Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 3 |
| HPS927 | Research Thesis D |
Level 3 - Trimester 2
| HPS918 | Clinical Placement and Case Analysis 4 |
| HPS928 | Research Thesis E |
Note: Consistent with a developmental approach, there is a prescribed sequence for coursework and placement units such that successful completion of earlier units is required to enrol in later units. Specific information regarding pre-requisites are described in the individual Unit Guides.
Work experience
Placement program
The clinical placements are designed to equip students with a range of professional skills and an awareness of professional issues. Students will benefit from Deakin’s key placement partnerships including Barwon Health other organisations to ensure they gain experience across child, adolescent and adult populations. The placement program will be determined jointly by the student, the placement coordinators, and the course leadership team. Each placement requires the full complement of days to be completed. Failure of any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.
The placement program overall provides students with diverse clinical experience across community and institutional care; and medical and non-medical agencies. The placement program will be determined jointly by the student, the placement coordinators, and the course leadership team. Contracts will be drawn up which will clearly specify the skills to be taught and the responsibilities of the student and placement supervisor. With few exceptions, Placement supervisors are registered psychologists with a clinical endorsement as a specialised area of practice, as well as being Registered supervisors. Each placement requires the full complement of days to be completed. Failure of any one placement may result in exclusion from the course.
Course duration
Your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Third party arrangements
Quality assurance arrangements
Course design, revision and quality improvement is focused on design principals provided for in the draft Design Principles for Units and Courses (Deakin). In addition, quality assurance is supported by external accreditation by the APAC which occurs on a 5 year cycle. External Industry feedback is provided for by the contribution of a well-engaged Advisory Board and is incorporated to annual and major course review processes. This is supplemented by robust student feedback with the nomination of Student Representation at each Course level who feed into mid and post Semester Clinical Team meetings and annual Course reviews.
Other learning experiences
Throughout the program students are invited and encouraged to participate in a range of other Faculty led or independently provided professional development activities as well as training in simulation education.
Research and research-related study
The Thesis or Dissertation represents the third component of an accredited DPsych (Professional Doctorate).
This is in line with the purpose of the Doctoral Degree (Professional) to qualify individuals who apply a substantial body of knowledge to research, investigate and develop new knowledge, in one or more fields of investigation, scholarship or professional practice.
According to AQF, research is the defining characteristic of all Doctoral Degree qualifications such as the DPsych (Clinical) and will be typically for at least two years of the qualification. The program of structured learning typically will include advanced coursework designed to enhance the student’s capacity to make a significant contribution to original knowledge in the discipline (or cross-disciplinary field) and/or research-integrated practice developed in collaboration with a relevant professional, statutory or regulatory body. The advanced coursework and research-integrated practice will support the research outcome.
APAC further specifies that the thesis or dissertation must be of a high quality and reflect the fact that this is a doctoral level degree. These degrees are expected to consist of a research component that requires at least the equivalent of one year full-time work spent on the thesis component of the course.
In the current program, the structure is such that the other two components (Coursework and Placement) are completed in the second half of the third year with the final 12 months focussed full-time on the research thesis. Overall, 17 of 32 Credit Point Units of the Course Structure pertain to the Research Thesis, representing a little over two years equivalent of the program.
In the current program, the thesis consists of two components: 1) a Major Investigative Project, involving a report on an empirical study or series of studies on a topic of relevance to clinical psychology and that can be undertaken by publication or in traditional form; and 2) Clinical Research Portfolio comprising of four n-of-1 case studies that include a critical appraisal of relevant literature.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.