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Master of Clinical Psychology

CLPS11MV3

Faculty:
Faculty of Human Sciences
Award:
Master of Clinical Psychology (MClinPsych)
Admission Requirement:
• Recent APAC accredited Australian level 8 qualification in psychology (with first class or second class honours division one) or recognised equivalent
• Eligibility for provisional or full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia
• Applications for this program are competitive. Satisfying the admission criteria does not guarantee a place in the program
• Additional material as specified under notes
English Language Proficiency:
IELTS of 7.0 overall with minimum 7.0 in each band, or equivalent
Study Mode:
Full-time, Part-time
Attendance Mode:
Internal
Candidature Length:
Full-time: 2 years
Commencement:
Session 1 at North Ryde (Domestic, International)
Volume of Learning:
Equivalent to 2 years
General requirements:
Minimum number of credit points at 800 level or above 64
Completion of other specific minimum requirements as set out below

In order to graduate students must ensure that they have satisfied all of the general requirements of the award.

Specific minimum requirements:

Credit points

800 level

Required
4
Counselling and Cultural Perspectives (4)
 
Required
4
Developmental Psychopathology (4)
 
Required
4
Psychology of Health (4)
 
Required
8
Research Proposal (8)
 
Required
8
Dissertation (8)
 
Required
4
Supervised Practical Placement I (4)
 
Required
0
Supervised Practical Placement II (0)
 
Required
0
Supervised Practical Placement III (0)
 
Required
0
Supervised Practical Placement IV (0)
 
Required
either
or
 
Advanced Psychopathology (4)
 
4
Child and Adult Psychopathology 1 (4)
 
Required
4
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (4)
 
Required
either
or
 
Psychological Assessment (4)
 
4
Clinical Psychological Assessment 1 (4)
 
Required
4
Advanced Assessment and Therapy (4)
 
Required
4
Neuropsychological Disorders (4)
 
Required
either
or
 
Research Design and Evaluation (4)
 
4
Evidence Based Clinical Psychology (4)
 
Required
8cp from
 
Psychotherapy (4)
 
 
Trauma Theories and Interventions (4)
 
 
Therapy with Children and Families (4)
 
 
Groups (4)
 
 
Narrative Therapy (4)
 
 
Coaching and Positive Psychology (4)
 
 
Couple Therapy (4)
 
8
Clinical Psychology Professional Practice (4)
 

TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM

64
Additional Information
AQF Level Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree
CRICOS Code 001396M
Overview and Aims of the Program The Master of Clinical Psychology Program includes coursework units which contain a blend of theory and practice together with 1,000 hours of supervised practice and a research dissertation. Students completing this course typically work as clinical psychologists in public and private hospitals and/or in private practice. Hospital/clinic settings encompass psychiatric, pediatric, geriatric, drug/alcohol and rehabilitation disciplines where the clinical psychologist may engage in both assessment and developing and implementing therapy programs.

Program Aims: The program aims are to develop graduates who can:
• integrate theory into ethical practice as a clinical psychologist
• demonstrate the full range of clinical psychological practice
• undertake independent research in clinical psychology
• demonstrate a commitment to professional life-long learning in the advanced practice of clinical psychology
• communicate effectively and work collaboratively with clinical teams and with clients.
Graduate Capabilities

The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:

Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative


Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible

Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning

Program Learning Outcomes By the end of this program it is anticipated that students should be able to:
1. demonstrate the significant depth and breadth of knowledge and scholarly understanding required of clinical psychologists in determining client needs and designing and implementing evidence-based interventions (K, T, P, C, E, J)
2. undertake systematic enquiry and apply research skills and learning when designing and evaluating professional projects and capstone practice experiences (K, T, P, C, E, J)
3. demonstrate higher level critical thinking skills in their ability both generate and evaluate new, professionally-oriented knowledge (K, T, P, C, E, J)
4. communicate effectively across a wide range of client groups, colleagues and other professionals, using a variety of formats to function emphatically within and across cultures and life stages (K, T, P, C, E, J)
5. demonstrate knowledge of the legislative frameworks relevant to clinical psychologists and undertake practice according to professional standards and the Psychology Board of Australia’s code of ethics (K, T, P, C, E, J)
6. demonstrate the entry level capabilities required of practising clinical psychologists, along with the professional and personal skills for assessing continuous development needs (K, T, P, C, E, J).
Learning and Teaching Methods Central to the pedagogical philosophy of this program is that students' learning is enhanced when they are fully engaged in the content. This is achieved in the program by presenting material in innovative ways that demonstrate the relevance to problem resolution. An inquiry based learning approach is also emphasized. Learning and teaching methods are designed to meet the individual unit learning outcomes and foster the acquisition of clinical psychological knowledge and skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Learning and teaching methods are also tailored to assist in the development of the generic professional and personal attributes required for the delivery of clinical psychological methods, with due regard for ethical context.

Specific learning and teaching methods include: lectures, seminars, professional training workshops, practical skills development classes, research project development and implementation as well as integrated, practice-education opportunities.
Assessment Assessment tasks are varied to match the skills, knowledge and personal attributes required for clinical psychology, along with meeting the Macquarie University graduate capabilities and the AQF Masters requirements. At the unit level, there is constructive alignment between the specific learning outcomes and assessment tasks. Across the program, the following assessment tasks are used:
• clinical assessment and viva examinations to assess clinical psychology skills
• psychometric reports
• seminar presentations
• research proposals
• research reports presented in journal format
• reflective case reports
• professional logbook/portfolios
• written assignments.
Recognition of Prior Learning

Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.

Domestic students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl

International students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl

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Support for Learning

Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.

Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/

Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us

Program Standards and Quality

The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders.

Graduate Destinations and Employability Graduates will be eligible to apply to register as a psychologist on completion of the program. Graduates will need to meet the Psychology Board of Australia’s Registration Standards (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). These standards include English language skill and an assessment of criminal history. Meeting standards may require completion of a national examination. Graduates will be well prepared to pursue a career as a psychologist in a wide range of settings, including both the private and public sectors. A summary of the types of work that clinical psychologists engage in can be found at www.psychology.org.au/community/specialist/clinical/
Assessment Regulations

This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy.

Accreditation This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
Grade of ACCREDITATION WITHOUT CONDITIONS awarded by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.