Accreditation and Professional Recognition Expand The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) is a Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) accredited program and sits within level 10 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. This program is conditionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Graduates of this course will be eligible to apply for: Membership of The Australian Psychological Society (APS). Registration as a psychologist with AHPRA. A one-year pathway to endorsement as a clinical psychologist via a Psychology Board of Australia approved Clinical Registrar program. After one year of a Psychology Board of Australia approved registrar program, membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists.
Admission Criteria Expand Applicants to this program must have completed a four-year APAC accredited sequence of studies in psychology at first or upper second-class level, normally H1 (80%), or equivalent overseas qualifications recognised by the APS, or a Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) recognised by APAC. Applicants must demonstrate possession of an appropriate level of knowledge and skill related to research. In accordance with the guidelines set by The Cairnmillar Institute, to have applied for and gained candidature approved by The Cairnmillar Institute Student Review Committee. Applicants who fail to gain candidature will not be eligible to continue in the doctoral program and may choose to apply for a place in the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) program. An order-of-merit for entry will be prepared, taking into account (a) academic record, (b) previous work experience and training, (c) academic and professional referee reports and (d) admissions interview. Please see our application portal for detailed instructions on submitting an application. Documentation required in the application includes: Most recent academic transcripts. A current Curriculum Vitae (resume). A 500-word personal statement outlining why you wish to study this course at Cairnmillar. Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate) Two academic and one professional reference using the HODSPA reference system. A guide on how to use the system is available here. Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with members of Cairnmillar’s academic faculty. This provides applicants with the opportunity to discuss any questions they have about the course of study.
Career Opportunites Expand Graduates of the Cairnmillar Institute’s Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) are highly sought after for their academic acumen and professional suitability. They have an appreciation of the breadth and depth of psychological practice and are creative and flexible in their thinking. Graduates are committed to working within the scientist-practitioner model and to using interventions and assessments that have been empirically validated. They are familiar with working with a range of clients and their practice is ethical and culturally sensitive. Clinical psychologists are trained in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological conditions. They can seek employment in a variety of settings, including: Private practice Community mental health centres Psychiatric hospital settings Tertiary education and universities Teaching and supervision Program and policy development and evaluation Clinical rehabilitation services And many more…
Course Structure Expand This program consists of 400 credit points. Students undertake a total of 22 units of study, consisting of nine coursework units (112.5 credit points), six placement units (75 credit points) and seven research units (212.5 credit points). Year One CLN500 Clinical Placement Intensive Workshops CLN501 Cognitive-behavioural Processes and Interventions CLN502 Psychological Assessment, Diagnostic Testing and Interview Competencies CLN503 Professional Practice and Professional Ethics CLN551 Research Project A CLN561 Supervised Clinical Placement B CLN504 Child and Adolescent Psychopathology and Intervention CLN552 Research Methods and Research Project B Year Two CLN601 Health Psychology CLN662 Supervised Clinical Placement C CLN653 Research Project C CLN602 Adult Psychopathology and Intervention CLN603 Interpersonal Processes & Therapeutic Practices CLN663 Supervised Clinical Placement D CLN604 Psychodynamic Therapy CLN654 Research Project D Year Three CLN701 Advanced Diagnostics and Interventions for Complex Presentations CLN761 Supervised Clinical Placement E CLN751 Research Project E CLN752 Research Project E Year Four CLN861 Supervised Clinical Placement F CLN851 Research Project G CLN852 Research Project H
Fees and Scholarships Expand *Estimation only. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases applies, see: cairnmillar.org.au/course-fees For information on tuition and what scholarships might apply to this course, please visit the Fees and Scholarships pages.
Graduate Learning Outcomes Expand Graduates of the Doctor of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) develop skills in each of the areas listed below so as to be able to commence the Psychology Board of Australia’s Registrar Program after they graduate, which will allow them to go on to full registration as a psychologist with an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology. Knowledge of the Discipline Implement core clinical psychology principles across a range of settings. Assess and diagnose a variety of clinical presentations with reference to the DSM 5. Interpret current research on psychopathology and apply this to formulate appropriate intervention and assessment protocols. Ethical, Legal and Professional Matters Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the Australian Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics as well as relevant legislation that informs current professional practice. Apply ethical principles to professional practice. Psychological Assessment and Measurement Develop knowledge of a broad range of assessment measures and understand the theoretical frameworks and psychometric properties that support their empirical validation. Demonstrate an ability to administer, score, interpret and write up specific assessment batteries. Intervention Strategies Demonstrate an understanding of a select range of empirically validated interventions suitable for use with adults and children. Perform interventions in an effective and ethical manner and to be able to evaluate therapeutic outcomes. Demonstrate an understanding of interventions used for work with clients who have complex presentations. Research and Evaluation Demonstrate an expert understanding of a particular topic relevant to Clinical Psychology. This understanding is exhibited by: the development of the intellectual skills necessary to interpret previous findings and developments relevant to their research in clinical psychology and the ability to devise and implement an original research project that is based on sound and current research methods. Conduct high quality research independently and ethically and be able to disseminate findings to both specialist and non-specialist groups. Produce an extended research thesis that makes a unique contribution to existing scholarship in an area of clinical psychology. Communication and Interpersonal Relationships Demonstrate effective and efficient written and oral communication skills. Relate appropriately to a range of clients and mental health professionals across academic and clinical settings. Working within a Cross Cultural Context Develop competence in working in a culturally sensitive manner with clients from diverse backgrounds. Practice across the Lifespan Deliver a range of psychological services appropriate to adults, children, adolescents and older adults. Supervision and Reflective Self-Practice Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of reflective self-practice and the ability to implement constructive feedback in order to improve clinical practice. Recognise the dynamics of the supervisory relationship in preparation for potential roles as supervisors and leaders in the field of clinical psychology.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Expand Applicants to this program may apply to be granted credit or partial credit towards the qualification, in recognition of previous experience where an equivalence of earlier learning can be established. Credit transfer for an APAC accredited course is only applicable for recently completed APAC accredited postgraduate programs. Credit or partial credit is not granted in recognition of knowledge or skills gained through work or life experience. The granting of credit for placements on the basis of previous experience gained as a registered psychologist is not permitted by APAC. Cairnmillar’s RPL policy can be viewed here.