Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Appraise the contribution, demands and responsibilities of psychology practice, including in the interprofessional context;
2. Critically analyse psychological problems from diverse perspectives and levels, incorporating cultural responsiveness, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities;
3. Formulate and evaluate evidence-based and effective intervention plans for clients with psychological difficulties across the lifespan;
4. Critically review evidence-based literature to identify and apply best practice guidelines for psychological assessment and intervention;
5. Exhibit advanced interpersonal and interprofessional communication skills to debate and elucidate complex ideas and to engage in a culturally responsive manner with diverse individuals and multiple stakeholders;
6. Investigate and execute a substantial research based project that contributes to the professional evidence base of clinical psychology;
7. Critically evaluate core ethical and professional conduct issues that practising psychologists are likely to encounter and exhibit high standards of social and ethical responsibility; and
8. Formulate diagnostic conceptualisations of severe, chronic and/or complex mental health presentations to determine the most appropriate interventions and manage both risk and client rights.

Based on the scientist-practitioner model of advanced psychology training, this postgraduate psychology course combines practical classes and supervised practice to help you acquire and apply the following skills:

• psychological and cognitive assessment, case formulation and diagnosis of a range of complex mental health, neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive issues
• advanced ethical decision-making to provide person-centred and recovery-oriented psychological services across interprofessional practice settings
• culturally sensitive practice to assist your work in diverse communities
• evidence-based interventions, including cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic therapy, to support the wellbeing of young people, adults, older adults, groups and families.

The course adopts a lifespan framework, training graduates in a wide range of assessment and therapeutic techniques with children, young people, adults and older people, with a particular emphasis on both cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic perspectives. The approach embraces a reflexive and scientist-practitioner perspective, providing evidence-based interventions for enabling well-being and human flourishing.

Over three practicum units, you will participate in a range of fieldwork placements, including the opportunity to apply for a placement at our Orygen outpost specialising in youth mental health.

At VU Psychology Clinic you will provide psychological services under close supervision to a culturally diverse community seeking support for a range of mental health issues.

At each placement, you will be supported under the direct supervision of experienced psychologists (with appropriate endorsement from the Psychology Board of Australia).

Our academic, clinic and supervision staff bring a wealth of real-world experience from the private and public mental health sectors, and all academic staff are active in research that advances the practice of psychology.

Study this course via our award-winning VU Block Model®, where you complete one subject at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several at once.

Learning in workshop-style classes, you’ll develop strong connections with your peers and practical skills for your future career.

You’ll also get fast feedback on your assignments, helping you to improve quickly as you progress through your course.

Learn more about the VU Block Model®

To be considered for postgraduate study, you will need to have specific academic qualifications, as outlined below. We also consider non-academic research and work experience for our research candidates.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year undergraduate sequence in psychology comprising a three-year major in psychology as part of an undergraduate degree, plus a fourth-year Honours specialisation (or equivalent) in psychology. This qualification should be completed within the last 10 years, with a minimum average of at least 75 in fourth-year sequence. PLUS IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 7.0 (with no band less than 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking) in keeping with the AHPRA Registration Standard for English Language Skills.

Additional information

Applicants will also be required to: • Submit a completed VU supplementary information form. • Provide two referee statements (one personal and one academic) submitted via Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference System at https://www.psychologyreference.org/ • Attend an interview (short listed applicants only) • Obtain a Working with Children Check prior to being placed in a work placement setting, in accordance with the accreditation requirements and the Department of Justice. Students with an overseas qualification in psychology will need to provide certification from the Australian Psychology Society (APS) that their qualification/s are equivalent to an APAC-approved, 4-year sequence in psychology.

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

• guide for your learning during the course
• way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements