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
Please note: Closing date for applications to study in 2025 is 31st October 2024.
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
To complete the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration), a student must complete 80 credit points (cp) of specified units.
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
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.
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Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.
Applicants with higher education study
Students whose first language is other than English need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner.
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
$33432 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.
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.
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.
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.