Master of Clinical Psychology
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years -
Location
Bundoora -
Fees
Next intake
February Entry score
8.0 IELTS
Duration
Full-time 2 years Location
Bundoora
Overview
The Master of Psychology offers you the necessary training to become a professional psychologist. It is oriented towards cognitive-behavioural psychology and you'll be trained and expected to work according to the scientist-professional model.
RMIT provides training in clinical psychology and has research expertise in the areas of clinical and health psychology, behavioural neuroscience, lifespan developmental psychology, and cross-cultural psychology. New areas of research include chronic disease and the ageing population.
Main areas of focus include:
- psychobiology of cognition
- stress, fear and anxiety
- wellbeing and resilience
- development across the lifespan
- innovations in clinical interventions
- mental health
Details
You’ll experience a range of learning environments - lectures, individual and group work. Lectures are used extensively in the program to communicate knowledge and guide student learning.
A large proportion of time is spent under supervision in the on-campus Health Sciences Clinic treating clients presenting with a variety of psychological, educational and developmental problems.
RMIT’s clinical psychology service offers high-quality support for children, adolescents and adults. It allows postgraduate students, registered as provisional psychologists, the opportunity to treat the general public under the supervision of senior clinical staff, all of whom are registered practitioners.
In addition, you’ll be required to undertake two practicum placements off-campus in supervised psychological practice (minimum of 40 days and 60 days, respectively) in agencies such as hospitals, clinics and other health facilities.
Casework courses and field placements comprise a minimum of 132 days of practicum experience. You'll also do a supervised research thesis.
The program consists of 192 credit points. The main areas of focus in psychology at RMIT are:
- mental health of children, adolescents and adults
- clinical interventions
- motor and cognitive development in children and adolescents
- wellbeing and resilience
- cognitive, blended and e-health innovations
The Master of Psychology is divided into coursework, clinical training and research.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Clinical Psychology | Bundoora Campus |
2 years full time or 4 years part time
|
2 years full time
|
MC002P16 | 093570G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC002
Career
Clinical psychologists are specialists in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and mental illness.
You'll work in:
- private practices
- hospitals
- universities
- general medical practices
- community health centres
- mental health services
This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
On completion of the program you'll be eligible for membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and associate membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.
On completion of the program you'll also be eligible to apply for registration with the AHPRA (Psychology). Registration will allow you to practise in any Australian state or territory. Specialist endorsement as a clinical psychologist is possible after two years of supervised practice following completion of the Master of Clinical Psychology.
Admissions
- Successful completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) approved fourth year of study in psychology (Honours or Graduate Diploma in Psychology) with an average of at least 80%.
AND
- Submission of two confidential referee reports. Access the Australian Psychology Post-Graduate Program Reference Request System for instructions
AND
- Successful completion of a formal admissions interview, if shortlisted.
Applicants with international qualifications must have these assessed by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as equivalent to a fourth year of study in psychology.
If this qualification was also taught in a language other than English, applicants must complete an IELTS test achieving a score of 8.0, with no band less than 8.0, or equivalent Additional Information for Successful applicants Successful applicants must complete the following prior to commencing the clinical component of the program. (These processes can be time consuming and should be started once you have accepted your offer. Failure to do so could impact on your clinical component commencement.)
Working With Children Check: Students must hold a valid Working With Children Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program.
You must have:
- Successful completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) approved fourth year of study in psychology (Honours or Graduate Diploma in Psychology) with an average of at least 80%.
AND
- Submission of two confidential referee reports. Access the Australian Psychology Post-Graduate Program Reference Request System for instructions
AND
- Successful completion of a formal admissions interview, if shortlisted.
Applicants with international qualifications must have these assessed by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as equivalent to a fourth year of study in psychology.
If this qualification was also taught in a language other than English, applicants must complete an IELTS test achieving a score of 8.0, with no band less than 8.0, or equivalent Additional Information for Successful applicants Successful applicants must complete the following prior to commencing the clinical component of the program. (These processes can be time consuming and should be started once you have accepted your offer. Failure to do so could impact on your clinical component commencement.)
Working With Children Check: Students must hold a valid Working With Children Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program.
Entry requirements
You will need to access the Australian Psychology Post-Graduate Program Reference Request System to apply for a reference from academic and/or professional referees.
You will need to obtain one academic referee report and one professional or personal referee report. Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 8.0 (with no individual band below 8.0).
Non-academic abilities you'll need to complete this program
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading, writing and number skills for understanding and completing patient notes and analysing data
- vision and hearing to accurately gain information and treat patients
- managing your behaviour and emotions to provide safe and competent patient care
- time-based problem-solving when working with patients
View the full list of the Master of Clinical Psychology inherent requirements.
Non-academic abilities you'll need to complete this program
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading, writing and number skills for understanding and completing patient notes and analysing data
- vision and hearing to accurately gain information and treat patients
- managing your behaviour and emotions to provide safe and competent patient care
- time-based problem-solving when working with patients
View the full list of the Master of Clinical Psychology inherent requirements.
Who are they for?
Inherent requirements apply to every applicant and may be worth considering if you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition.
Why do you need to know?
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, and the non-academic abilities you may need in this program, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
What support is available?
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, please discuss this with RMIT program staff or the Equitable Learning Services (ELS).
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we may be able to support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
Pathways
Fees
Entry for this program is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).
Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.
2019 indicative fees
Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*
Full-fee places: AU$27,840*
* Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year |
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP, HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
Income tax deductions
You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment. See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$34,560 .
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$70,080.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.