Master of Clinical Psychology
You'll learn practical skills and knowledge essential for a career in professional clinical psychology. The curriculum covers areas such as cognitive behavioural therapy, child and adolescent mental health, psychopathology, counselling skills, psychological assessment and treatment.
You'll also explore the ethical and professional issues associated with work in this field, and develop skills in writing professional-standard assessment reports suitable for a range of referral agencies or contexts.
During your clinical placement practicum, you'll perform clinic intake assessments and conduct case work with clients including face-to-face assessment and intervention with adults and children.
During your program you'll be required to work on a thesis, addressing a research question relevant to the field of clinical psychology. Working collaboratively with your research supervisor, you'll develop a research proposal and obtain ethics approval. There is potential to enrol in PhD research in the second year of the course.
As a graduate, you'll be equipped with the relevant skills and knowledge to work with adults and children in a range of clinical settings (such as community health centres, schools, hospitals, prisons, applied research facilities, and private practice).
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 9.
Sample course structure
Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.
To qualify for the award of Master of Clinical Psychology, students must complete a total of 240 credit points across 2 years.
Career outcomes
This degree will provide you with the training required to apply for general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and to commence specialist registrar training towards clinical psychologist endorsement with the PsyBA. Clinical psychologists are equipped to work with children, adolescents and adults in a range of clinical settings including schools, hospitals, prisons, consulting firms, market research companies, academic and applied research facilities, and private practice.
Professional recognition
The Master of Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology may be eligible to apply for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a psychologist. Specialist endorsement as a clinical psychologist with the PsyBA is subject to additional registrar requirements beyond completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional body for details. Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology may apply for membership with the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). Membership may be subject to additional requirements beyond completion of the degree. Please contact the relevant professional bodies for details.
