Master of Clinical Psychology
Quick facts
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years -
Location
Bundoora -
Fees
Next intake
FebruaryEntry score
Not applicable
Duration
Not applicableLocation
Not applicableFees
Not applicable
Next intake
Not applicable
Overview
RMIT’s Master of Clinical Psychology program provides outstanding training in the core capabilities and attributes of Clinical Psychology, as prescribed by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
The training encompasses a wide range of theoretical and applied topics, such as knowledge of psychological principles, application of psychological theories and models, design and implementation of psychological interventions, ethical, legal and professional aspects of psychological practice, psychological assessment and measurement, applied research and evaluation, and communication and interpersonal relationships.
Advanced skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment are imparted through intensive, small-group face-to-face didactic lectures/seminars, tutorials, case presentations, role plays and workshops. Students receive ample opportunities to develop advanced therapeutic skills within a cognitive-behavioural framework and other contemporary evidence-based theoretical paradigms, utilising the scientist-practitioner model.
Our program focuses on the life-span approach with a special emphasis on cultural aspects of health and illness.
The main objective of our program is to provide trainees with the advanced knowledge and clinical skills that will enable them to function as professional clinical psychologists in a wide range of health, community and allied settings.
Details
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
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
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 Psychological Society (APS) 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.
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.
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 Psychological Society (APS) 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).
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.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
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.
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.
2021 indicative fees
- Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$3,950 to AU$14,500*.
- Full-fee places: AU$29,760*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
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.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
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?
The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students commencing their program in 2021. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. 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.
Continuing and commencing students in this program will be charged student contribution fees at the Postgraduate Clinical Psychology rate for units (courses) that meet the Australian Government’s requirements for this program type.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2021 for commencing students
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2021 |
|---|---|
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture |
$3,950 per standard year $493 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology |
$7,950 per standard year |
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science |
$11,300 per standard year |
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture |
$14,500 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 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.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
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 2021 is $313.
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 2021 is AU$36,480.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$73,920.
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.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.