Overview
Prepare for your final internship to become a practising psychologist, with a Master of Professional Psychology at VU.
Our graduate psychology program provides an APAC-accredited pathway to register for professional practice. It concludes five years of university training, to be followed by a required year of supervised psychology work outside the university.
The course is based on the scientist-practitioner model of professional training, combining advanced theory with practical classes in the following areas:
- psychological knowledge
- skills acquisition
- ethical decision-making capacity
- application of evidence-based interventions.
You will practice psychology both face-to-face and using telehealth in our VU Psychology clinic under close supervision.
Applications & closing dates
Due to limited places and a high volume of applications, it is important applicants apply early. If places are filled in the timely round, round two and three applications will not be considered, or applications may close early.
- Round One (timely round) – Applications close Sunday 2 October 2022 (all applications submitted prior to Sunday 2 October 2022 will be considered as timely)
- Round Two – Applications close Sunday 30 October 2022 (if places available)
- Round Three – Applications close Sunday 27 November 2022 (if places available)
A reminder that applicants need to arrange two referee reports (one personal and one academic) via the Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference System.
Applicants also need to provide a resume/CV with their application and complete the supplementary form available as part of the application process.
Find more information about how to apply on this page.
Professional recognition
After completion of this course, graduates will have the skills to proceed to a final year of supervised practice to enable them to gain generalist registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia through the '5+1 internship model' for registration.
The Master of Professional Psychology is currently accredited with conditions by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and approved by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a suitable program of study for the purpose of registration as a psychologist.
Psychology work placements
You'll benefit from working directly with a range of clients in out VU Psychology Clinic. Your work will be supported by intensive guidance through supervision from teaching staff and external professionals in psychology.
Over two practicum units, you'll undertake at least 300 hours of supervised field placement at the Victoria University Psychology Clinic. Several of our units include role-playing practitioner-client interactions in different settings.
Careers
The Master of Professional Psychology provides a pathway to registration as a psychologist. After graduating, you can apply for an internship in psychology, as approved by the Psychology Board. Following completion of both this course and the internship you'll be eligible apply for registration as a generalist psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).
Aim for a psychology career in an area that suits your passions and interests:
- community mental health
- NGOs
- policy development
- research and evaluation
- community organising
- advocacy and program development
- child protection and related areas.
Salaries
Find average salaries for psychologists in Australia, via Labour Market Insights (government website).
Our Master of Professional Psychology is accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC).
Course structure
To attain the Master of Professional Psychology students will be required to complete 96 credit points of Core Professional Psychology studies.
Course structure and units
-
- Unit code
- APC6085
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APC6086
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APC6088
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APC6091
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APM7008
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HPP7000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HPP7001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HPP7002
- Credits
- 12
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Appraise the contribution, demands and responsibilities of the role registered psychologists play in the delivery of comprehensive collaborative care; | ||
| 2. | Critically analyse psychological problems from different perspectives and levels incorporating cultural responsiveness, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; | ||
| 3. | Formulate evidence-based, appropriately complex, and effective intervention plans for clients with psychological difficulties; | ||
| 4. | Critically review the professional literature to identify and apply best practice guidelines for 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. | Formulate evidence-based, appropriately complex, and effective intervention plans for clients with psychological difficulties; and | ||
| 7. | Evaluate psychology intervention programs and critically assess their effectiveness. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Completion of Bachelor Honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology (accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, completed within the last 10 years, with a minimum average of at least 70 in fourth-year sequence).
OR
Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) in Psychology (accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, completed within the last 10 years, with a minimum average of at least 70).
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
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.
Applicants with qualifications obtained overseas have their qualifications assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
How to apply
Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.
Browse our other Health & biomedicine courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.
Enquire now
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Get help
- Visit a student service centre
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- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
