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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March
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Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
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Location
Online
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Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
Not applicable
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Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
MProfPsych
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Course code
1209250
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Credit points
96
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Equivalent units
8
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
-
Start Date
-
Duration
1 year full-time
-
Location
-
Placement
Yes Learn more
-
ATAR
Not applicable
-
Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
MProfPsych
-
Course code
1209250
-
Credit points
96
-
Equivalent units
8
-
Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
-
CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
The Master of Professional Psychology is an accredited fifth-year degree on the '5+1' pathway to general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
The Master of Professional Psychology will provide students with the skills and advanced knowledge in the core areas of professional psychological practice. Graduates will be well-prepared to complete their final year of supervised internship before applying for registration as general psychologists.
The MPP is a comprehensive combination of coursework and practical experience to build your knowledge and skills in psychological assessments and evidence-based interventions across the life span, as well as ethical, professional and cultural considerations in psychological practice.
Key features
- Coursework units are delivered online by experts in the field. Students engage in active, interactive and discussion-based learning and are guided in completing online learning modules.
- With the Southern Cross Model's innovative and unique model, each unit is completed over six weeks, with a two-week break between terms. This shorter structure delivers a deeper, immersive learning experience for students centred on greater interactivity and connection with real-world applications.
- Students will develop their practical skills by observing and participating in role play and other activities at the two one-week residentials at the Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour campus.
- Students will apply their knowledge and skills from coursework to professional psychological practice in real-world settings by completing a compulsory 300-hour placement.
- During your placement, you will be supervised by an experienced Board approved psychologist supervisor.
- Placement settings are diverse and are generally 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.
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.
Please note:
From 2023 the Master of Professional Psychology has been approved by the Department of Social Services for Student Assistance to eligible students for the following payments: Youth Allowance (student), Austudy and the Pensioner Education Supplement.
Southern Cross University offers a comprehensive psychology training program, 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.
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“My degree has been really valuable in helping me in my youth work. All of the things I have learnt have really equipped me when I’m working with a child that is escalating.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
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 (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Apply evidence-based, culturally responsive approaches to psychological practice across the lifespan, with a range of socially and culturally diverse people |
GA2: Creativity Synthesise, analyse and interpret complex information, from multiple sources to determine the most appropriate psychological intervention, including the management of risk |
GA3: Ethical practice 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 |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Apply a range of skills and theoretical knowledge to select, administer and interpret a comprehensive range of psychological assessments |
GA5: Lifelong learning Critically evaluate contemporary scientific literature and utilise advanced research and academic skills to inform professional practice |
GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate professional communication skills that are culturally responsive and adaptable across all psychological practice |
GA7: Cultural competence 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 |
This course includes a compulsory 300 hour 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.
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.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Online | Term 1 |
Career Outcomes
The Master of Professional Psychology is an accredited fifth-year degree on the '5+1' pathway to general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
After graduating from the Master of Professional Psychology program and completing a one-year internship and the National Psychology Exam, graduates will be eligible to apply for general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
As a psychologist with general registration, career opportunities include but are not limited to community, mental health and forensic services; private practice; public, non-government and not-for-profit organisations; recruitment and primary, secondary and tertiary education.
This degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
Applicants must:
- have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year sequence in psychology within the last ten years with a Second Class Honours Division one (or above) (Honours AQF Level 8) or equivalent; and
- be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia; and
- submit a maximum 400 word response to “What attributes will you bring to the psychology profession?” or similar; and
- provide two referee reports (this could be either one Academic and one Professional reference, or two Professional References, depending on your circumstances) that comment on suitability for the professional psychology program and psychological practice. Referee reports must be submitted via the Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference Request System. Professional experience is desired.
Shortlisted applicants must attend an interview by a panel comprising at least two members of the academic staff of the Discipline of Psychology.
Applicants must meet the English language requirement (IELTS 7 or equivalent) set by the Psychology Board of Australia. Applicants who have overseas qualifications will need to be 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:
- Provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia; and
- National Police Certificate; and
- Working with Children Check.
Language requirements
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 Score or equivalent | 7.0 |
| Reading | 7.0 |
| Writing | 7.0 |
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Speaking | 7.0 |
Course requirements
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.
Other things to consider
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Course structure
Why Health at SCU
One of the best clinical lab facilities in Australia
Health Clinics on-campus provide safe and supervised environments for practicums
5-star health ratings
We are 5-star rated in psychology, nursing and health services and support
(GUG 2023)Graduates in very high demand
Health graduates in very high demand as Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia's largest and fastest growing industry
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.
Apply now
Preparing to apply
- Check requirements
- Get supporting documents ready
- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Notice: applications for this course will open 1 September 2023 and close 20 October 2023. Please note: due to the high-demand for this course, only applications with all necessary documentation uploaded at application will be considered. If you are still completing your honours degree this year, a transcript showing all grades to date is required at application and the final academic transcript will need to be supplied once completed.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.