Master of Psychology

What is this course about?

CSU's Master of Psychology provides registered psychologists with the opportunity to obtain the knowledge, skills and qualifications to practise as clinical psychologists.

The Master of Psychology program provides thorough training in the theory, research, and practice of clinical psychology, enabling registered psychologists to obtain a qualification which reflects an enhanced level of knowledge and skills in psychological practice. Students participate in linked components of coursework, research and practicum based in the scientist-practitioner training model.

To assist psychologists in rural and remote areas to undertake training in clinical psychology, the course is offered by distance education, with coursework delivered through a combination of residential schools and online learning. Students also complete four professional placements in clinical psychology settings, along with a dissertation reporting the results of an empirical research project.

The program is structured to be completed over four years of part-time study. Full-time enrolment is available for those students who do not have concurrent employment commitments.

Residential schools

In first and second session compulsory residential schools are held on the Bathurst campus. First session residential schools are usually scheduled in either January / February or April / May, and second session residential schools are held in August / September. Part-time students attend residential schools of between three and five days' duration in each session. For part-time students in their first year of enrolment, the residential school is scheduled for five days in January / February, and for four days in August / September.

Professional Accreditation

The program is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Graduates will be eligible to apply for recognition by the Psychology Board of Australia as a Clinical Psychology Registrar. On completion of two years of supervised experience subsequent to graduation from the program, graduates will be eligible to be registered as holding an endorsement in clinical psychology, and to be specialist clinical psychology practitioners with Medicare Australia.

The course has also been approved by the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. Graduates of this program will be eligible for full membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), and for associate membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. Following completion of two years of subsequent supervised experience, graduates will be eligible to apply for full membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.

Access to allowances for study

The Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE) offers student income support to students undertaking study in a number of professionally-oriented Master by coursework degrees.

Eligible students undertaking approved Master degrees will be able to access Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY, ABSTUDY or Pensioner Education Supplement. To be eligible for student income support through Youth Allowance and AUSTUDY, students will still need to be studying full-time and to satisfy all other Youth Allowance and AUSTUDY program requirements, including personal, parental or partner income tests.  Students who have queries about masters courses and their income support entitlements should contact Centrelink on 13 2490 for further information.

More information from DIISRTE

Scholarships

Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health (SARRAH) administers the Allied Health Streams of the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Stream (NAHSSS). Funding is provided by the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA).

More information from SARRAH

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about CSU's Master of Psychology

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.