Master of Clinical Psychology,MC-CLIPS

Overview

In Australia, you’ll need to complete six years of education and training to practise as a registered psychologist – four years at undergraduate level and two at postgraduate level

This master degree is the sixth and final year of your study. It provides specialist knowledge in clinical psychology – one of the nine areas of practice approved by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Clinical psychologists assess psychological disorders in individuals, groups and families, and administer programs of treatment. This course raises your competency in this area, giving you advanced understanding of mental health and physical health, and the opportunity to put theory into practice across two clinical placements.

You’ll examine complex psychological disorders in adults, children and youth, including their cause, assessment, diagnosis and treatment. You’ll also develop your professional skills in managing complex ethical and professional issues, working with the public and handling conflict situations.

Over two 50-day clinical placements, you’ll build and apply your skills in a real-world setting, practising core clinical skills such as assessment, case conceptualisation and treatment under the supervision of a registered clinical psychologist.

You’ll also undertake an independent research project, planning and conducting research, analysing your data and completing a dissertation.

When you graduate, you can apply for registration as a psychologist within Australia and gain employment in a professional capacity.

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying.

What you'll learn

• apply psychology knowledge, principles and practice to achieve client-centered and evidence informed outcomes
• generate effective solutions through critical analysis, reflective practice and professional reasoning
• critically appraise information and apply it to contemporary psychology theory and practice
• communicate effectively and appropriately to ensure positive and effective therapeutic and inter-professional relationships; use relevant documentation and reporting processes including the ethical disclosure of professional information
• evaluate and apply appropriate technologies to contemporary psychology practice
• develop and apply life-long learning skills to achieve professional competence; engage in research to further develop personal and professional knowledge and skills
• comply with APAC standards and practices through integration of local and global perspectives relevant to the field
• practice psychology in a culturally responsive and inclusive manner, incorporating perspectives of multiple stake-holders
• work in a professional and collaborative manner to meet ethical and legal responsibilities

Entry requirements

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

Have your supporting documents to hand, and ensure they meet our guidelines. The documents may include certified copies of your qualifications, English language proficiency documents and supplementary forms for certain courses.

If your documents are not issued in English, an official translation from a recognised translation service must be provided.

Recognised translation services

• National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) accredited translator in Australia
• The Awarding institution
• A Notary Public Office
• The official Government body
• An official and accredited translator*

*Official translations are subject to review.

If you have undertaken previous study or work that matches the content of some of your Curtin course units, you may be able to obtain credit for recognised learning, which exempts you from studying those units.

You can apply direct online through our Applicant Portal. You can access the Applicant Portal by:

1. Navigating to the relevant course page
2. Click ‘Apply now’
3. When the pop-up window appears, select “Apply directly to Curtin University”.

If you want to package your course with a Curtin English course, you can submit your application with your course application documents to streamline the process.

If your application is successful, you will receive an offer that you will need to accept or reject.

If you accept your offer, you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment ­– a document from Curtin that details your course, how long you will be studying the course, and the tuition fees. This document can be used for acquiring a student visa.

Apply to the Australian government for your student visa. Gaining a student visa will allow you to participate in full-time study in Australia and work up to 40 hours in a fortnight. If you’re under 18 years of age, you must have approved accommodation and welfare arrangements in place before a visa can be issued.

See our pre-departure resources for helpful information regarding your move to Perth.