Masters (Coursework)
Build advanced skills in psychological assessment, ethics and therapeutic interventions with the Master of Professional Psychology. This fifth-year, APAC-accredited psychology course prepares you for a final year of supervised practice that leads to general registration as a psychologist.
If you want to elevate your understanding of human behaviour to an expert level, why not do it at a university that's ranked #1 in Victoria for education experiences in postgraduate psychology?
The Master of Professional Psychology is all about preparing you for the next stage of your career. If your aim is to progress to the one-year internship that leads to registration as a psychologist, you will graduate with professional practice skills that allow you to thrive in your chosen setting. If registration isn't your goal and you're ready to explore new, more challenging roles in the workforce right away, the specialised knowledge you will develop throughout the course set you up to make a positive impact in people's lives from day one.
Haven't mapped out your path beyond graduation? This course exposes you to the many different roles, topics and challenges that exist within psychology, allowing you to sample different career options before making your choice.
Key areas of study include:
All of these skills are ingrained through practical experience. Take your learning beyond textbooks to participate in demonstrations, role-play, individualised feedback and collaboration sessions that give you a chance to apply your skills to authentic scenarios. These techniques are a step up from those learned at the undergraduate level and allow you to apply more complex interventions to a broader range of psychological symptoms.
Your studies will be enriched further by professional practicums that consist of three key activities: workshops, placement and supervision. Practicums are another opportunity to apply the principles learned in the classroom in real-life settings. Learn on your feet, build relationships and problem-solve under the guidance of established professionals.
Combine this extensive practical experience with a strong focus on applied research to graduate as a well-rounded professional. Learn how to apply research to your decision-making, become confident at critically analysing research and discover what it takes to conduct your own.
Entry into the Master of Professional Psychology is competitive. That's because Deakin is ranked in the top 1% worldwide for psychology, and leads all Victorian universities for education experience, learning resources and support services. If you want to join a high-achieving group of students with a shared passion for exploring the human mind and helping others, the Master of Professional Psychology is the course to take your career forward.
Learn more about your career options in psychology.
This course is a pathway into the one-year internship that leads to general registration as a psychologist. Once you're registered, you will have the qualifications and experience needed to practise psychology in areas such as:
Not looking to become a registered psychologist? You'll still have a broad and exciting range of career opportunities to explore when you graduate from this course. Your deep understanding of advanced psychological assessment methods combined with your client-centred approach to practice will equip you for roles in:
Learn more about psychology pathways and career outcomes
To complete the Master of Professional Psychology students must attain 8 credit points. All 8 units are core. The course has a strong emphasis on the development of skills and evidence-based practice. Students will complete a minimum of 4 credit points each trimester over one year for full-time study or part-time equivalent.
Students are required to complete and pass both Practicum units. Failure of placement is grounds for exclusion.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Normal University regulation and guidelines pertain to students applying for Recognition of prior learning within this program. In all cases credit will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis with maximum credit granted being consistent with university policy.
Credit for coursework can be approved only if it is strictly equivalent to coursework in the current course and was successfully completed in an APAC accredited course within the previous ten years. Credit for placement experience completed as part of their current employment can only be given if it is of direct relevance to the course, would ordinarily be undertaken by a qualified psychologist, and if supervision fulfils all of the usual requirements of course placements. Credit cannot be provided for previous employment experience prior to entry into the course as it is not integrated into the overall learning undertaken during the course.