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The Master of Professional Psychology provides an additional year of academic study for graduates of Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours degree programs. These five years of study – the Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours and the new Masters of Professional Psychology combined – represent the academic pre-requisites for a further one-year internship and eligibility to sit the Psychology Board national exam to register as a Psychologist in Australia.
The Master of Professional Psychology develops skills and advanced knowledge in the core areas of professional psychological practice and includes two compulsory one-week face-to-face residentials at Southern Cross University campus, Coffs Harbour and 300 hours of professional placement. Students are allocated to their placement by Southern Cross University and most placements are located between the Gold Coast and Port Macquarie (including inland surrounding areas) and within the footprint of our campuses located at Coffs Harbour, Lismore and the Gold Coast. Please note requirements, including vaccination, for placement as part of the course requirements below. Graduates of the Masters of Professional Psychology will be well-prepared to complete their final year of supervised internship prior to applying for registration as a general psychologist.
Southern Cross University offers a comprehensive program of psychology training, taught by experts in the field with established professional networks. Students have access to 5-star learning resources (Good Universities Guide 2021) and become part of a dynamic research and learning community.
In order to submit referee reports as required as part of the application process for this course, it will be necessary for you to register with the Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference Request System and complete the process with them.
Psychologists for Community Scholarship
Southern Cross University’s Psychologists for Community Scholarship supports students from diverse backgrounds who wish to become registered psychologists by assisting with course fees. Students from rural, remote and regional areas, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, single parents or carers, and those impacted by financial disadvantage are invited to apply. Find out more about this scholarship and how to apply.
The Master of Professional Psychology provides an additional year of academic study for graduates of Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours degree programs. These five years of study – the Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours and the new Masters of Professional Psychology combined – represent the academic pre-requisites for a further one-year internship and eligibility to sit the Psychology Board national exam to register as a Psychologist in Australia.
The Master of Professional Psychology develops skills and advanced knowledge in the core areas of professional psychological practice and includes two compulsory one-week face-to-face residentials at Southern Cross University campus, Coffs Harbour and 300 hours of professional placement. Students are allocated to their placement by Southern Cross University and most placements are located between the Gold Coast and Port Macquarie (including inland surrounding areas) and within the footprint of our campuses located at Coffs Harbour, Lismore and the Gold Coast. Please note requirements, including vaccination, for placement as part of the course requirements below. Graduates of the Masters of Professional Psychology will be well-prepared to complete their final year of supervised internship prior to applying for registration as a general psychologist.
Southern Cross University offers a comprehensive program of psychology training, taught by experts in the field with established professional networks. Students have access to 5-star learning resources (Good Universities Guide 2021) and become part of a dynamic research and learning community.
In order to submit referee reports as required as part of the application process for this course, it will be necessary for you to register with the Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference Request System and complete the process with them.
Psychologists for Community Scholarship
Southern Cross University’s Psychologists for Community Scholarship supports students from diverse backgrounds who wish to become registered psychologists by assisting with course fees. Students from rural, remote and regional areas, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, single parents or carers, and those impacted by financial disadvantage are invited to apply. Find out more about this scholarship and how to apply.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
Applicants must:
Shortlisted applicants must attend an interview by a panel comprising at least two members of the academic staff of the Discipline of Psychology.
International applicants will need to meet the English language requirement set by the Psychology Board of Australia and have their overseas qualifications assessed by the Australian Psychological Society
Additional requirements:
Once accepted into the program, but before undertaking any units of study, students must provide evidence of:
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.5 |
| Listening | minimum 6.0 |
| Speaking | minimum 6.0 |
| Reading | minimum 6.0 |
| Writing | minimum 6.0 |
In addition to the professional placement, this course covers culture, communication and professional practice, research methods for psychology practitioners, as well as psychological assessment, psychopathology and psychological interventions for children, adolescents and adults.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Online | Term 1 |
International students
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Master of Professional Psychology, students must complete the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising all core units.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. If you have a disability or health condition which may impact on your ability to meet these requirements please refer to the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSYC5002 | Culture, Communication and Professional Practice | ||||
| PSYC5003 | Research Methods for Psychology Practitioners | ||||
| PSYC6002 | Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Children and Adolescents | ||||
| PSYC6001 | Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Adults | ||||
| PSYC6004 | Psychological Interventions: Children and Adolescents | ||||
| PSYC6003 | Psychological Interventions: Adults | ||||
| PSYC6005 | Professional Psychology Practicum I | ||||
| PSYC6006 | Professional Psychology Practicum II | ||||
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Notes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award | |||||||||||||
| PSYC5002 | Culture, Communication and Professional Practice | Term1 | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| PSYC5003 | Research Methods for Psychology Practitioners | Term1 | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| PSYC6001 | Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Adults | Term2 | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| PSYC6002 | Psychological Assessment and Psychopathology: Children and Adolescents | Term2 | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| PSYC6005 | Professional Psychology Practicum I | Tri Term2 | Note 1 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| PSYC6003 | Psychological Interventions: Adults | Term3 | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| PSYC6004 | Psychological Interventions: Children and Adolescents | Term3 | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| PSYC6006 | Professional Psychology Practicum II | Dual Term4 | Note 2 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
| Note 1: | Full-time students have until the end of Term 5 to complete all hours. |
| Note 2: | Full-time students have until the end of Term 5 to complete all hours. |
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Apply evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches to psychological practice across the lifespan, with a range of socially and culturally diverse people |
Synthesise, analyse and interpret complex information, from multiple sources to determine the most appropriate psychological intervention, including the management of risk |
Engage in self-reflective professional practice, taking into account the impact of personal values and beliefs, with appropriate actions Demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal requirements and effective work practises whilst operating within the scope of professional practice |
Apply a range of skills and theoretical knowledge to select, administer and interpret a comprehensive range of psychological assessments |
Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature and utilise advanced research and academic skills to inform professional practice |
Demonstrate professional communication skills that are culturally responsive and adaptable across all psychological practice |
Monitor, evaluate, and reflect on the effectiveness of professional practice at the level of the consumer, within their support networks and the broader community, implementing changes as needed |
Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Two compulsory residentials allow students to develop their skills in a face-to-face learning environment.
As an additional year of postgraduate study following the the Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours, this course completes the academic pre-requisites for registration as a Psychologist in Australia. A one-year internship must also be completed in conjunction with the Psychology Board national exam before registration with APHRA and the Psychology Board of Australia.
This course includes 300 hours of professional placement providing students with the opportunity to develop skills in supervised clinical settings. Please note there are pre-requisites for professional placement. Visit Faculty of Health Professional Experience for details.
This degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
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Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
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