Master of Applied Psychology in Clinical Psychology

This Course is archived with an end date of 09/12/2021

Overview

This professionally-accredited course in Clinical Psychology is focused on a model of the clinical psychologist as both a scientist and practitioner. This model stresses assessment and treatment practices which are based in scientific reasoning and systematic problem-solving. In a clinical setting, the clinical psychologist combines systematic assessment and measurement with … For more content click the Read More button below. The course consists of two years of full-time study or may be undertaken on a part-time basis. The course includes coursework, practicum, and research components. The objective of the Course is to prepare clinical psychologists who are skilled to work with clients across the lifespan- children, families and adults, and can apply a variety of models and skills to prevention, research, and evaluation at the individual and system levels. There is also an expectation that graduates will have demonstrated their research abilities by undertaking a major research project of clinical relevance. Murdoch is home to the Murdoch Psychology Clinic, which is a busy training and research facility serving the needs of the local community. The course includes in-depth training in clinical assessment and psychological therapies integrated with both a specialist child psychology and an adult psychology clinic which serve as as research and training facilities. In the second year of their studies candidates undertake approved external placements in collaboration with the Commonwealth and State Public Services, such as the Department of Health, Department for Community Development, Department of Justice, Disability Services Commission, WA Police Service and other public and private services and facilities in Western Australia. Candidates must include at least one placement in an adult clinical facility and one in a child or adolescent clinical facility.

The course consists of two years of full-time study or may be undertaken on a part-time basis. The course includes coursework, practicum, and research components. The objective of the Course is to prepare clinical psychologists who are skilled to work with clients across the lifespan- children, families and adults, and can apply a variety of models and skills to prevention, research, and evaluation at the individual and system levels. There is also an expectation that graduates will have demonstrated their research abilities by undertaking a major research project of clinical relevance.

Murdoch is home to the Murdoch Psychology Clinic, which is a busy training and research facility serving the needs of the local community. The course includes in-depth training in clinical assessment and psychological therapies integrated with both a specialist child psychology and an adult psychology clinic which serve as as research and training facilities.

In the second year of their studies candidates undertake approved external placements in collaboration with the Commonwealth and State Public Services, such as the Department of Health, Department for Community Development, Department of Justice, Disability Services Commission, WA Police Service and other public and private services and facilities in Western Australia. Candidates must include at least one placement in an adult clinical facility and one in a child or adolescent clinical facility.

Contacts

Academic Chair

Admission requirements

Enrolment restrictions

Inherent requirements

Murdoch University ensures that all graduates meet a set of academic standards related to the skills, knowledge and values expected in the respective degree. In professional psychology these academic standards reflect the requirements for the safe and effective professional practice of psychology. Effective psychological practice requires students to learn to assess, diagnose and treat clients using psychological techniques, drawing on knowledge of the discipline and delivered with a high degree of professionalism. Students’ abilities to do this are assessed in numerous ways in course based units and practicums. Assessment of inherent requirements Murdoch’s inherent requirements fall under 5 categories: 1. Health, Mental Health and Physical 2. Regulatory and Legal 3. Sensory and Cognitive 4. Communication 5. Interpersonal and Professional. The full statement of inherent requirements is available here: http://www.murdoch.edu.au/School-of-Psychology-and-Exercise-Science/_document/murdoch

Special 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.

Entry requirements (onshore)

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 language requirements

Additional progression requirements / restrictions