Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration)

Course information for - 2025 entry

Duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$33432 Fee-paying

Start dates
ACU Term 1

Overview

The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post registration) is a one-year program that provide Australia Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) approved sixth-year training in psychology. This program focuses on the development of APAC Level 4 professional competencies for specialization in Clinical Psychology. It is designed for individuals who have (i) completed an APAC Accredited Masters coursework degree in Psychology, (ii) general registrations as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, and (iii) a minimum of 12 months of professional applied experience post-graduation. Graduates of this program will be eligible to apply for the Clinical Psychology registrar program to obtain an area of practice endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. This program is comprised of 8 coursework units (10 credit points each) which is predominantly taught online. Delivery of these units will involve a single 4-day residential (on campus teaching block) and 500 hours of supervised clinical placement that students can choose to complete in one location.

Applicants must have previously completed an APAC Accredited Masters coursework degree in Psychology, have general psychology registration with no conditions, and a minimum of 12 months professional practice experience post graduation.*

 

*Students who have followed the 4+2 pathway are not eligible to apply.

Professional experience

Applicants must have previously completed an APAC Accredited Masters coursework degree in Psychology, have general psychology registration with no conditions, and a minimum of 12 months professional practice experience post graduation.

Professional recognition

Graduates of the Clinical Masters in Psychology (Post registration) are eligible to complete the Psychology registrar program to obtain area of practice endorsement in Clinical Psychology.

Supervision arrangements

Students can choose to complete their 500 hours of clinical placement in one location as long as there is a Psychology Board of Australia approved supervisor with the area of practice endorsement in Clinical Psychology.

Accreditation

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Careers

Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post registration) program will be able to work as practitioner psychologists in a range of institutions and agencies providing psychological and mental health services.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Term 1 (Full-Time)

  • Specified UnitsPSYC660Adult Clinical Psychology10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC666Clinical Research Skills: Refresher10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC661Child Clinical Psychology10 cp
  • Clinical Placement UnitsPSYC667Practicum Placement A10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC662Clinical Health Psychology and Psychopharmacology

    (Pre: PSYC660 & PSYC661)

    10 cp
  • Clinical Placement UnitsPSYC668Practicum Placement B10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC663Advanced Psychotherapeutic Interventions

    (Pre: PSYC660 & PSYC661)

    10 cp
  • Clinical Placement UnitsPSYC669Practicum Placement C10 cp

Commencing Term 1 (Part-Time)

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode, unless otherwise indicated.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Masters (Coursework) - AQF Level 9

Additional course information

The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post registration) is a one-year, 80 credit point program delivered predominantly through ACU Online. It is comprised of five coursework units and three clinical practicum units.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

a. an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited Masters (coursework) degree in Psychology;

AND

b. are eligible for general psychology registration (i.e., a minimum of 12 months of professional practice experience post-graduation) or has current registration as a General Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (Ahpra), with no conditions on their registration;

AND

c. Students must demonstrate suitability to undertake the course (including achievement of APAC Level three professional competencies) as evidenced by:

i. academic transcript demonstrating strong academic performance;

ii. response to selection criteria;

iii. academic referee report;

iv. professional referee report; and

v. for short-listed candidates, interview with the selection committee.


An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

StatePrerequisites

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

Applicants with work and life experience

Students must have (i) completed an APAC accredited Masters coursework degree, (ii) general psychology registration with no conditions, and (ii) a minimum of 12 months professional practice experience post graduation. Students must demonstrate suitability to undertake the course as evidenced by:

1. Satisfactory academic referee report, and

2. Satisfactory professional referee report, and

3. Satisfactory interview with the selection committee (for short-listed candidates).

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students

Recent Year 12 graduates will need to complete an APAC accredited bachelors degree in psychology, a 4th year program (e.g., Honours), and a Masters coursework degree in Psychology. They must have general psychology registration without conditions, and a minimum of 12 months professional practice experience post graduation.

Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience

Students must have (i) completed an APAC accredited Masters coursework Psychology degree, (ii) general psychology registration with no conditions, and (ii) a minimum of 12 months professional practice experience post graduation.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$33432 Fee-paying

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

Apply for this course

ACU Online Applicants

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.

Staff Profile

Associate Professor Emma Little 

School of Behavioural & Health Sciences (Discipline of Psychology)

Associate Professor Emma Little is the National Course Coordinator for postgraduate psychology programs, she joined ACU in 2015 and since that time has been the placement coordinator and now Course Coordinator of the Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental). 

Emma graduated in 2000 with a Doctor of Philosophy majoring in educational and developmental psychology from RMIT University. Emma is a registered psychologist with endorsement in educational and developmental psychology and is a PsyBA accredited supervisor. She is also a Fellow of the Australian Educational and Developmental Psychology Association.

Emma is a member of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council's (APAC) Accreditation Assessment Committee and is also an APAC assessor. Emma is an expert content reviewer and content developer for the Raising Children website and has her own private practice.

Dr Madeline Fraser

School of Behavioural & Health Sciences (Discipline of Psychology)

Dr Madeleine Fraser started at the ACU Strathfield campus in 2015. She is the co-ordinator of the Master of Clinical Psychology program on Strathfield campus and supervises Honours and Masters research projects. Dr Fraser was the recipient of the 2017 APS Sydney Branch Outstanding Lecturer in Psychology award and was awarded the 2019 APS Early Career Teaching Award. She also runs the Clinical Psychology Research Lab (CPR lab) with Associate Professor Keong Yap.

A registered psychologist with clinical endorsement, Dr Fraser is a PsyBA accredited supervisor and a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Her qualifications include a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Masters of Philosophy at Macquarie University in 2015, and a PhD focused on the clinical application of self-compassion at the University of Sydney in 2021.

Dr Fraser’s research focuses on self-compassion and cultivating a healthy and supportive way of relating to oneself, as opposed to harsh self-criticism. Her research goal is to promote psychological wellbeing through the scientific study and clinical application of self-compassion and healthy ways of self-relating. 

 

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