Master of Professional Psychology

Course information for - 2024 entry

Offered at 1 locations

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

$29610 Fee-paying

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2024
Applications open August 2023
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available

Overview

The Master of Professional Psychology (MProfPsych) is a fifth-year program in psychology, open to graduates of an APAC accredited fourth-year psychology program.

The MProfPsych program is designed to provide graduates in psychology with an additional year of full-time education in the professional practice of psychology. This year prepares graduates for a final year of supervised practice prior to general registration as a Psychologist.

The MProfPsych program provides students with an opportunity to learn and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the 8 core capabilities and attributes as required to practise psychology. This program includes a simulated practicum unit as well as an external placement which enables students to translate their theoretical knowledge to professional and simulated environments to enhance their skill development.

This program offers students the ‘5 + 1’ model to register as a Provisional Psychologist through this supervised practice pathway.

Professional recognition

This course is currently accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Please note that a minimum six-year sequence of education and training in psychology is required for an individual to become eligible for general registration as a psychologist in Australia.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Specified UnitsPSYC621Professional Practice in Psychology10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC630Psychological Assessment10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC638Therapeutic Skills10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC622Practicum Skills10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC623Psychopathology

    (Pre: PSYC621 & PSYC630)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC624Evidence-Based Practice for Psychologists10 cp
  • Placement UnitPSYC625Professional Placement

    (Pre: PSYC621 & PSYC622 & PSYC630 & PSYC638)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsPSYC626Research Capstone Experience

    (Pre: PSYC621 & PSYC622 & PSYC630 & PSYC638)

    10 cp

All units are delivered in campus attendance mode, unless otherwise indicated in the map.

Prerequisites (Pre) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this 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

Entry requirements

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

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy .

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

a.

  1. a Bachelor degree with Honours in an accredited Psychology course with a minimum of Honours IIB completed in the last 10 years;
  2. OR
  3. a Bachelor degree with accredited 4th-year equivalent major study in Psychology (with performance deemed of the same level as Honours IIB) completed in the last 10 years;

and

b. demonstrated suitability to undertake the course as evidenced by satisfactory:

  1. academic referee report;
  2. professional referee report; and
  3. for short-listed candidates, interview with the selection committee.

and

c. be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2024 Admission.

English language requirements

Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 7.0 (with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (see English Language Proficiency).

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

Further study

Graduates may be eligible to progress to other psychology higher degree programs.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$29610 Fee-paying

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

A 10% rebate on fees will be offered to domestic ACU graduates (from any faculty) enrolling in full fee-paying postgraduate studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Conditions apply.

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  

How to apply

Deferment

No deferment available.

Staff Profile

Dr Elizabeth Pizarro-Campagna

Lecturer, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences

Dr Elizabeth Pizarro-Campagna is a psychology lecturer and course co-ordinator in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences based in the Melbourne campus. She coordinates the Master of Professional Psychology program, provides research and clinical supervision to students completing the Master of Clinical Psychology and the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology programs, and provides research supervision to psychology honours students.

Dr Pizarro-Campagna has worked as a psychologist since 2006, and has dual endorsements in clinical, and educational and developmental psychology. In 2019 she completed her PhD at ACU, in collaboration with Orygen’s Helping Young People Early (HYPE) research team, on the socioemotional functioning of young people with borderline personality disorder. She is an ECR and has research interests and collaborations with a focus on understanding psychological and transdiagnostic factors, such as social cognition and emotion regulation, that are associated with mental health and functional outcomes in typically developing adolescents and clinical populations (borderline personality disorder, chronic pain).

 

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