Master of Professional Psychology

The Master of Professional Psychology will provide 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 (full-time equivalent) will include coursework subjects addressing psychological assessment, interventions and related professional skills; alongside a research project and practical placement experience. Upon completion, you will be eligible to undertake one year of supervised generalist practice - enabling you to progress to full registration as a psychologist.

This course consists of coursework, placement and a research project (6,000 word written report). The coursework component consists of 13 subjects (some with an online component) taken over the two years of the course.

These subjects provide you 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.

You 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 you the opportunity to consolidate your specialist training and apply the knowledge gained in the course to real world scenarios. The research project provides you with 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. This course is only open to domestic students.

More information on the course structure can be viewed in the Handbook entry.

Upon completion of this course, you will be eligible for entry to a one-year internship and to sit the National Psychology Exam and then apply for registration as a Generalist Psychologist.

You will be clinically trained and upskilled to work at a broader population-level focused on key societal issues such as understanding community behaviour change. As a generalist psychologist, you will be ready to apply your skills in assessment and treatment with a wide range of clients with mild to moderate mental health conditions.

This involves optimising personal, social, educational, and occupational adjustment and development across areas such as:

• mental health and wellbeing
• education and training
• population health
• drug and alcohol
• corporate and commercial settings.

In contrast, Clinical Psychologists typically work with clients with more severe and complex mental health conditions, with training provided through the University of Melbourne's Master of Psychology programs. More information the courses can be found:

• Masters of Psychology (Clinical Psychology)
• Masters of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology)
• Master of Educational Psychology