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The information below is relevant from 11/03/2019 to 05/03/2023
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CL68 - Master of Professional Psychology

Overview

Compulsory Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

The Master of Professional Psychology is designed for students who have successfully completed an accredited 4 year sequence in Psychology and who wish to undertake additional training to become a registered Psychologist. In one year of study, this course will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the core competencies required to practice Psychology in Australia, to enable you to undertake a sixth year internship (supervised placement) and gain registration as a general psychologist. 

Career Information

The Master of Professional Psychology provides a pathway to registration (5+1) as a general psychologist in Australia. Graduates will have developed skills and knowledge in the core competencies of professional psychology practice as outlined by the Psychology Board of Australia. Students who successfully complete the course will be eligible for a 1 year internship (supervised practice) before eligibility to obtain general registration.

Course Details
Duration 1 years full-time or 2 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 48
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in postgraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Postgraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) MProfPsych
AQF Level Level 9: Masters Degree (Coursework)
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,410
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $29,448
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,040
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $34,080
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $6,874
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $27,381
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $26,964

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
Not Applicable
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Not Applicable
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Online

Term 1 - 2024

Online

Term 1 - 2023

Online

Term 1 - 2022

Online

Term 1 - 2021

Online

Term 1 - 2020

Online
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International Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2023

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2022

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2021

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2020

Sorry, no international availabilities found.
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For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited sequence in Psychology within the last 10 years (e.g., four-year, or three-year plus a fourth year), and be eligible for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as a provisional psychologist. Applicants who completed their Psychology training outside of Australia are required to provide evidence of equivalency as determined by the Australian Psychological Society.

To be considered for admission, applicants are required to supply:

1. Official academic transcript;

2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that includes employment, relevant experience, research experience and accomplishments;

3. A one page statement responding to the question “Why do you want to be a registered psychologist?” – Please use size 12 font, with 1.5 line spacing;

4. Two references supplied via Heads of Departments and Schools of Psychology Australia (HODSPA) Psychology Reference Portal.

Whilst not necessary to apply for entry, if you have already secured an internship post-graduation, please include evidence of this to further support your application.

Entry is competitive with limited places available, shortlisted applicants must attend an interview (face-to-face or via teleconferencing) by a panel comprising at least two members of academic staff of the Discipline of Psychology, both of whom have qualifications equivalent to those required for general registration as a psychologist.

Security Requirements
Students will be required to obtain registration as a provisional psychologist with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as outlined and defined by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Health Requirements

Vaccination requirements currently apply for provisional psychologists in Queensland, including the COVID-19 vaccination. Proof of your vaccination status, including a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or medical exemption certificate, must be submitted before in-person residential school commencement.

Assumed Knowledge

.

Fees and Charges
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards Not applicable
Accreditation
  • Professional Practice: Core
    Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

    The Master of Professional Psychology has received conditional accreditation from the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Residential School Requirements

Compulsory Residential School Attendance at 3 residential schools will be compulsory for all students.
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 23
2023 17
2022 15
2021 20
2020 19
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Treating personal information obtained as private and confidential.
  • Respecting an individual’s/group’s diversity by demonstrating sensitivity to religious, cultural, and individual differences.
  • Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and use an ethical decision making model to take responsibility to ethically resolve dilemmas.
  • If undertaking research, preparing an application for the university ethics committee to conduct a research study.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate for professional performance and being positive and receptive to processing constructive supervisor/lecturer feedback or criticism.
  • Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner in situations that are difficult to deal with.
  • Successfully processing your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with potentially emotionally labile people in a wide range of professional environments.
  • Maintaining behavioural stability through successfully distinguishing your own personal behaviours, experiences, and emotions from those of others (e.g., colleagues, clients, research participants).

Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Complying with relevant child protection and safety legislation, mandatory reporting requirements, and any other notifiable concern to your supervisor.
  • Complying with the requirements for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Australian Psychological Society (APS), including their fitness to practice requirements.
  • Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
  • Complying with university and workplace policy around the use of social media, online discussion forums, email, and other electronic forms of communication.
  • If undertaking research, complying with the legal stipulations contained within an approved ethics application when conducting research with humans or animals.

Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Verbally communicating your professional psychology practice knowledge and skills with accuracy, appropriateness, and effectiveness in a wide variety of contexts.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group, or workplace.
  • Framing and leading discussion with clients and/or research participants to collect information and provide instruction or support.
  • Discussing a client's progress with other professionals.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions: eye contact, being mindful of personal space boundaries, and a range of body movements and gestures.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues that indicate a change in the emotional state of a client.
  • Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar, punctuation, and correct referencing to the required academic standards.
  • Expressing complex and detailed information and knowledge into a logical and legible report, in a timely manner, that meets professional standards, and clearly communicates the intended message.
  • Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form that meets legal and professional requirements.
  • Where part of your course, preparing a document based on a body of research conducted under the supervision of an academic staff member.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and performing professional skills within reasonable set time-frames.
  • Where part of your course, successfully conducting an independent research project that incorporates the cognitive knowledge and skills gained from the course and is appropriate for a psychology graduate.
  • Paraphrasing, summarising, and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions associated with the referencing format used by the School of Health, Medical, and Applied Sciences (e.g., American Psychological Association [APA]).
  • Producing contextually appropriate text which meets professional and legal requirements.
  • Reading and accurately interpreting information related to clients and/or research participants, as well as conveying a spoken message accurately and effectively in a professional setting.
  • Demonstrating competency in applying accurate mathematical knowledge and skills to score and interpret psychological test data.
  • Applying research methodologies in a variety of research contexts.
  • Conducting and interpreting statistical analysis using software such as SPSS, Nvivo, or R.
Relational Skills

Examples are:

  • Rapidly building rapport with people from all walks of life, as well as with colleagues and/or research participants and/or clients in the professional context.
  • Maintaining positive working relationships when under stressful circumstances.
  • Maintaining confidentiality in all contexts.
Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Reflecting critically on topics taught during the course.
  • Identifying when your practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions, outside of one's scope of practice, and be able to reflect and learn from this experience.
  • Reflecting on situations that may be difficult and sensitive.
  • Identifying, reflecting, and learning from successful situations as well as opportunities for improvement.


Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

  • Maintaining the appropriate level of commitment to coursework tasks, and actively participating in activities related to the course, including group work.
  • Being able and available to attend practicum activites as specified in Unit Profiles and Practicum documentation.
  • Undertaking examinations and on-line quizzes with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
  • Remaining focused and performing consistently during tasks.
  • Being aware of and managing your own workloads and personal commitments outside of university to ensure sustainable performance of course requirements.
  • Being aware of and managing your own stress and/or anxieties so that sustainable performance can be ensured within course requirements.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

Examples are:

  • Competently using a desktop computer or laptop and having sufficient computer skills to engage in online learning, reading, and responding as required to emails, and completing relevant assessments for the course.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • Using a variety of computer programs to analyse, manipulate, and display scientific information applicable to your course of study.
Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Communicate relevant high level, independent judgements in accordance with professional and ethical guidelines
  • 2. Synthesise knowledge in regard to psychological assessment, therapeutic concepts and interventions and psychological disorders
  • 3. Apply evidence based and scientific methods to professional practice across the lifespan in empirically valid and culturally responsible ways
  • 4. Engage in self-reflective professional practice concerning own and ongoing client development
  • 5. Interpret and communicate findings in oral and written formats using culturally appropriate language, including in formal psychological reports
  • 6. Employ professional communication skills with a range of diverse clients in a socially and culturally responsive manner
  • 7. Consolidate psychological knowledge and skills to demonstrate delivery of core psychological competencies
  • 8. Plan and execute a research-based project applicable to psychology.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in a discipline and/or area of professional practice
2. KNOWLEDGE Have an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning
3. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and professional practice or scholarship
4. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice
5. SKILLS Have cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level
6. SKILLS Have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
7. SKILLS Have technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to professional practice or scholarship
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to use high level personal autonomy and accountability
10 APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to plan and execute a substantial research-based project, capstone experience and/or piece of scholarship.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Communicate, interact and collaborate with others effectively in culturally or linguistically diverse contexts in a culturally respectful manner
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 8 Total credit points: 48

Students must complete a minimum of 300 hours of logged supervised practical and skills training. This can include role playing and skills practice, simulated learning environments, observation of supervisors working with clients and case analysis.

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
PSYC20054 Psychopathology and Formulation 1
PSYC20058 Interventions 1
PSYC20055 Assessment: Child and Adolescent
PSYC20056 Professional Practice in Psychology 1
PSYC20060 Psychopathology and Formulation 2
PSYC20059 Interventions 2
PSYC20057 Assessment: Adult
PSYC20061 Research Evaluation for Psychology Practice
More Details

Applications for the Term 1, 2023 intake will open on 1 August 2022, and have an early closing date of 31 October 2022.

Application outcomes are not released until Early December, with interviews expected to take place in Late November.