Master of Clinical Psychology

You’ll experience a range of learning environments - lectures/seminars, individual and group work. Lectures/seminars 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.

Clinical practicum training 

Practicum training provides our trainees with opportunities to develop clinical skills through a wide variety of clinical practicum programs and internal and external clinical placements. As a trainee, you’ll undertake four internal practicums (minimum of 40 days each) in the RMIT Health Sciences (Psychology) Clinic, as well as two practicum placements (40 and of 60 days each respectively) in external agencies such as hospitals, clinics and other health facilities.  During the practicum training, you will learn and practice clinical skills under the supervision of experienced clinically-endorsed, AHPRA-registered supervisors.

The two-year Master of Clinical Psychology program consists of 192 credit points, and includes structured and comprehensive coursework, so that our trainees can acquire in-depth knowledge in the areas outlined below: 

• Ethics and professional practice
• Psychopathology
• Psychological assessment 
• Psychological interventions across the lifespan
• Biopsychosocial aspects of psychological disorders
• Advanced statistics and research methods for clinical psychologists
• Health psychology

As a trainee, you will learn advanced skills in the design and conduct of clinically-relevant research, and how to assess data in a critical and objective manner; attributes that are essential for best-practice as a clinical psychologist. As part of your practical training, you will undertake an original research project in one of the following aspects of health, illness or neuroscience: 

• Psychobiology of cognition
• Neurocognitive disorders
• Stress, fear and anxiety
• Wellbeing and resilience
• Development across the lifespan
• Psychopathology across the lifespan
• Health and illness across the lifespan
• Innovations in psychological assessment and interventions

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.  

Immunisations may be required by the placement organisation. Students will need to check the immunisation requirements of the placement organisation before commencing their placements.

Compliance requirements

• Police Check: Students must present evidence of a successful National Police Records Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program (Annual requirement for the duration of your Program). National Police records check are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using the student’s name and the RMIT issued student email address, once studies in the program have commenced. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
• Working with Children Check (valid for 5 years): Students must hold a valid Working with Children Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program.

For more information or if you have any questions about these requirements please email SHBS.wil@rmit.edu.au.

By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, 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

If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can 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 Equitable Learning Service

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.