CRICOS Code: 042101C

This program applies to students who commenced in 2021 or later.

For Commencement Year 2019 - please refer to 1812.3 Master of Clinical Psychology

For Commencement Year 2018 - please refer to 1812.2 Master of Clinical Psychology

For Commencement Year 2016 or 2017 - please refer to 1812.1 Master of Clinical Psychology

The Master of Clinical Psychology is designed to develop competent clinical psychologists.

The objective of the Master of Clinical Psychology is to provide two years’ full time training in the professional practice of clinical psychology from which graduates will be eligible to apply for full registration as a psychologist and as a Clinical Psychology registrar. Following successful completion of the Master of Clinical Psychology, Clinical Psychology Registrars will need another 2 years of supervised clinical practice to be eligible to apply for endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist.

The program provides a thorough training in the knowledge and skills necessary to understand a range of mental health issues experienced within diverse contexts. Graduates will be able to implement a range of effective evidence-based interventions that are tailored to clients’ needs and preferences. The scientist-practitioner model of training will be adopted to equip students with specialised competencies through the completion of specified coursework, a research project and 1,000 hours of supervised practice in clinical and other appropriate settings.

Study Mode

Two years full-time or four years part-time.

Program Advice

Program Advice

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Bankstown Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above
Bankstown Campus	Part Time	Internal	See above
Penrith Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above
Penrith Campus	Part Time	Internal	See above

Accreditation

This program is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and the Australian Psychological Society College of Clinical Psychologists (APS).

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Inherent Requirements

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

Admission to the Master of Clinical Psychology program is based on academic merit, two referee reports and performance at a selection interview to determine capability for practitioner competency. For domestic students, selection interviews are held between October and December each year; for international students these are held once the application has been received.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) by 31 October at the following link: http://www.uac.edu.au. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

Admission Criteria for Master of Clinical Psychology

Places will be offered to qualified applicants based on academic merit across years 2 and 3 of an undergraduate degree in Psychology and interview performance according to the following admission criteria.

• Completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year undergraduate Psychology degree that includes:
• (1) Undergraduate honours level of at least Class 2 upper level (2A or 2.1 Honours) or equivalent; and
• (2) Indicative academic achievement, based on entry in previous years, is a grade point average of 5.8 or higher (counting Year 2 to 3 as 50% and Year 4 as 50%) ;
• Applicants, whose degree was completed more than 10 years prior to the year of entry will not be admitted unless they hold current full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
• Submission of two referees reports; and
• Participation in an interview, by invitation, with the School of Psychology.

No deferrals will be accepted for this program.

Academic and Professional Referee Reports

Academic and Professional referee reports are to be provided via the Post-Graduate Programs Reference Request System.

Post-Graduate Program Reference Request System

Additional requirements for successful applicants

There are some additional requirements you must meet before you can commence the program as detailed in the Western Sydney University inherent requirements for the Master of Clinical Psychology program. These are detailed at the following link:

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/ir/inherent_requirements/inherent_requirements_for_master_of_psychology_clinical_psychology

Additional requirements for Domestic applicants with international qualifications

• International qualifications must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and deemed equivalent to an Australian 4 year sequence in psychology (including an honours equivalent research thesis component);
• Applicants who have undertaken studies in other countries may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of the minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre website: http://www.uac.edu.au. See also the additional English proficiency requirements for this program, as listed at the end of these admission requirements.

International Applicants

Places will be offered to qualified applicants based on academic merit and interview performance according to the following admission criteria.

• International qualifications must be assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and deemed equivalent to an Australian 4 year sequence in psychology (including an honours equivalent research thesis component);
• International qualifications will be assessed by the International office at Western Sydney University;
• Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the international office website (International Office) and include the additional admission requirements of:
• IELTS (Academic) - 7.0 overall score with a minimum 7.0 in each subtest
• TOEFL Internet based test - 100 (writing = 27 and all other subtests = 22)

Additional information for international applicants

Assessment of international qualifications by the APS can be applied for at the following:

https://www.psychology.org.au/membership/qualifications/

International students applying to the University through the International Office need to have their applications submitted by 31 October of each year. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Positions for the Master of Clinical Psychology Program will be offered based on outcomes from academic criteria, English proficiency and the interview process, including consideration of referee reports and professional experience and capacity as for other applicants.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements 

Full or provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia; A Criminal Record Check; A National Police Certificate; Prohibited Employment Declaration or a Working with Children Check Student Declaration; Child Protection training seminar.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
BEHV 7014	Core Skills and Ethical Practice	10
BEHV 7003	Assessment: Cognitive Functions	10
BEHV 7027	Psychological Interventions 1	10
BEHV 7029	Psychopathology: Theory and Practice	10
	Credit Points	40
2H session
BEHV 7006	Clinic Placement A	10
Note: Please enrol in subject BEHV 7005 first when enrolling via MySR.
	Credit Points	10
Spring session
BEHV 7005	Child Clinical Psychology	10
BEHV 7038	Assessment and Treatment of Complex Psychological Disorders	10
BEHV 7012	Clinical Research Methods	10
BEHV 7008	Clinical Health Psychology	10
	Credit Points	40
Year 2
Autumn session
BEHV 7031	Applied Research Project	10
BEHV 7037	Psychological Practice in Contemporary Contexts	10
	Credit Points	20
2H session
BEHV 7034	Professional Placement 2	10
	Credit Points	10
Spring session
BEHV 7031	Applied Research Project	10
BEHV 7009	Clinical Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology	10
	Credit Points	20
1H session
BEHV 7032	Clinic Placement B	10
BEHV 7033	Professional Placement 1	10
	Credit Points	20
	Total Credit Points	160