Master of Professional Psychology (MC-PROPSYC)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2025 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Award title | Master of Professional Psychology |
|---|---|
| Year & campus | 2025 — Parkville |
| Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
| Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
| AQF level | 9 |
| Credit points | 200 credit points |
| Duration | 24 months full-time or 48 months part-time |
The Master of Professional Psychology provides selected psychology graduates with training in the skills required to meet the core competencies outlined by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as necessary to practice as a generalist psychologist. The two-year program includes coursework subjects addressing psychological assessment, interventions and related professional skills; with a research project and practical placement experience in the second year. Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to undertake one year of supervised generalist practice – enabling them to progress to full registration as a psychologist.
This program is accredited by Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Graduates from the program will provide the 4th and 5th year of university study in the 5+1 pathway to registration as a Psychologist.
Links to further information
Entry requirements
In order to be considered for entry, applicants must:
- within the last 10 years, have completed a Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology with a weighted average mark of at least H2A (75%) or equivalent; and
- provide a personal statement of no more than 500 words; and
- provide two referee reports to be submitted online; and
- attend a selection interview (short-listed applicants only).
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
For applicants with results from the University of Melbourne for subjects undertaken in Semester 1, Winter Term and/or Semester 2, 2020, the following will apply:
- A Psychology Benchmark will be established based on all psychology subjects completed any time other than Semester 1, Winter Term and Semester 2, 2020.
- Subjects undertaken in Semester 1, Winter Term and/or Semester 2, 2020, for which results are lower than the Psychology Benchmark will be excluded from the entry score calculation.
The above changes do not apply to yearlong subjects undertaken in 2020; such results will be included in the entry score calculation.
In the case that applying this rule results in no eligible Level 2 and Level 3 marks for inclusion, then the Psychology Benchmark will be used as the entry score.
For external applicants, the benchmark will not apply and we will use numerical scores for all available level 2 and level 3 psychology subjects in the selection formula.
Pass/fail grades will be excluded from the selection formula.
In the case that excluding pass/fail subjects from the selection formula leaves either the Level 2 or Level 3 terms in the formula empty, the entry score will be the non-empty term (i.e., average of eligible Level 2 subjects if no Level 3 marks are eligible for inclusion; average of eligible Level 3 subjects if no Level 2 marks are eligible for inclusion).
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
- prior academic performance; and
- suitability for clinical training as determined by the interview, personal statement and referee reports.
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the University’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.
Notes:
- In computing the weighted average, the average of the third year Psychology subjects is assigned twice the weight of the average of the second year Psychology subjects
- Eligible Guaranteed Pathways applicants will be required to:
- provide 2 referee reports;
- provide a personal statement demonstrating interest in the course and relevant experience and
- at interview demonstrate proficiency in communication skills and suitability for professional practice as a psychologist. Students who fail to achieve this will not be guaranteed entry to the course.
Due to the expected number of graduates we are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
Students must comply with Fitness to Practice Rules, which are accessible from Schedule 1 of the Student Fitness to Practice Policy (MPF1345).
Inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete this course that must be met by all students. For information on the inherent requirements specific to this course contact the course/program coordinator. In some circumstances reasonable adjustments may be available to enable students to meet these requirements while still preserving the academic integrity of the university's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. For more information on how to seek these adjustments refer to the Student Equity and Disability Support website: https://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Professional accreditation
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
The course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Graduates from the degree will be required to complete a 1 year internship and pass the National Psychology Examination before they can apply for full registration as a psychologist. More information can be found on the Psychology Board website.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, graduates should demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
- Display broad knowledge of common client presentations seen across the lifespan
- Describe theoretical principles and research underlying psychological practice in preparation for undertaking the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) internship program leading to full registration as a Psychologist.
Skills
- Describe the principles of behaviour change when working with clients with mental health issues
- Administer and interpret a comprehensive range of psychological tests and assessments
- Integrate, interpret, and synthesise psychological assessment data with their knowledge of psychopathology to inform culturally sensitive case formulations, diagnoses and interventions relevant to the presentation of disorders across the lifespan.
Applications of skills and knowledge
- Use interviewing skills and evidence‐based principles to develop psychotherapeutic relationships with a wide range of clients from diverse groups and with various presenting issues
- Demonstrate the ability to consult and collaborate with colleagues, including those from other professions across the range of setting in which psychologists work
- Apply ethical principles and reasoning in psychological research and practice, particularly with reference to the Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics and NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research
- Conduct and interpret research relevant to professional psychological practice
- Apply the principles of behaviour change when working with clients with mental health issues
- Demonstrate skills in selecting, tailoring and implementing appropriate interventions based on a culturally sensitive formulation. Throughout the course specific reference is made to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within this context.
Generic skills
The course provides comprehensive training in all aspects of professional psychology practice. On completion of this course the students should have developed:
- Critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills
- The ability to integrate theory and practice and to apply this in novel situations
- An openness to new ideas
- Planning and time management skills
- The ability to communicate their knowledge in both oral and written form
- The ability to behave in a professionally appropriate manner.
Graduate attributes
The Master of Professional Psychology prepares graduates for practice in the community as a generalist psychologist. These graduates will have an in depth understanding of the theoretical and conceptual foundations of assessment and intervention relevant to professional psychology practice and the ability to put that understanding into practice. Master of Professional Psychology graduates will demonstrate:
Academic distinction
- Have an in-depth knowledge of professional psychology conceptual foundations and practice, including identification and treatment of a range of mental health conditions that present across the lifespan
- Be able to think critically and creatively with strong reasoning skills
- Be able to apply psychological knowledge, information and research skills to complex problems relating to mental health and illness, human behaviour, and behaviour change
- Employ professional communication skills, in a culturally responsive manner, with a range of socially and culturally diverse clients.
Active citizenship
- Be engaged with contemporary local, national, global issues
- Have a high regard for human rights, social inclusion, ethics and the environment
- Have an awareness of the social and cultural diversity in communities and the capacity to work collaboratively with people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds
- Have an understanding of, and deep respect for, Indigenous knowledge, culture and values
- Be equipped to be active, well-informed citizens who make substantial contributions to society, and have the potential to become leaders in their professions and communities.
Integrity and self-awareness
- Be motivated and organized with an ability to set goals and manage time and priorities
- Be able to work effectively both independently and in groups
- Have skills in self-assessment, reflective thinking and self-awareness; placing great importance on their personal and professional integrity, and on the willingness to explore, experiment and learn from mistakes
- Have empathy and concern for the welfare of others and have developed skills in managing their own well-being
- Have the ability to respond constructively to appraisal, performance review or assessment
- Have the ability to manage uncertainty.
Course structure
This course consists of coursework, placement and a minor research thesis (6,000 words).
The coursework component consists of 13 classroom-based subjects (some with online component) taken over the two years of the course. These subjects provide students with a comprehensive foundation in professional psychology theory and practice, that is essential to all aspects of psychology practice. This includes fundamental skills in assessment and counselling, ethics, adult and child psychopathology and basic intervention skills and includes the capstone experience of the course.
Students will also complete 300 hours of practical placement over the duration of the course. This will provide an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge gained through the coursework subjects to the clinical practice environment. The placement experience will constitute a mix of simulation, role-play and direct client work, giving students the opportunity to consolidate their specialist training and apply the knowledge gained in the course to real world scenarios.
The research thesis provides students the opportunity to explore a question that is relevant to contemporary psychological practice. All subjects are compulsory and satisfactory achievement of subjects in the first year of the course is required prior to progression to the second year.
Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Psychology may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Professional Psychology after successfully completing the first 100 CP of the Masters.
Subject options
All subjects are compulsory and must be taken in sequence as the knowledge gained in one group of subjects will enable satisfactory completion of the next group of subjects.
The Master of Professional Psychology requires the successful completion of 200 credit points.
Year 1
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC90112 | Research Project | Year Long (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
| PSYC40005 | Advanced Design and Data Analysis | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PSYC90110 | Ethics & Psychological Practice | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PSYC90111 | Well-being in Practice | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PSYC90113 | Professional Psychology Skills 1 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
18.75 |
| PSYC90102 | Attitude and Behaviour Change | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Year 2
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC90011 | Introduction to Assessment and Diagnosis | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
| PSYC90031 | Adult Psychopathology | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
| PSYC90114 | Professional Psychology Skills 2 | January (On Campus - Parkville) |
18.75 |
| PSYC90006 | Basic Interventions | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
| PSYC90007 | Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
| PSYC90010 | Mental Health Issues Across the Lifespan | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
| PSYC90115 | Professional Psychology Placement 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
18.75 |
| PSYC90023 | Child Psychopathology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
| PSYC90116 | Professional Psychology Placement 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
| PSYC90009 | Individual and Cultural Diversity | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
6.25 |
Last updated: 27 February 2025