Accreditation and Professional Recognition Expand The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) is conditionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). The program is accredited with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and sits within level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Psychology Board of Australia as a Clinical Psychology Registrar. Upon completing two years of supervised and PsyBA approved practice, graduates will be eligible to apply for an Area of Practice Endorsement in clinical psychology. Graduates will also be eligible for Associate Membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists and upon completion of a registrar program, are eligible to apply for full membership (Fellowship).
Admission Criteria Expand Please see our application portal for detailed instructions on submitting an application. Documentation required in the application includes: Academic transcripts from all prior higher education studies in psychology. A Curriculum Vitae (resume). A 500-word personal statement outlining how the nine-admission criterion below have been satisfied. Note: Some of these points can and will be answered in your CV and academic transcripts. Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate) Note: CMI cannot accept driver’s licenses as proof of identity/citizenship, so please do not provide one. Academic and/or professional references as per admission criteria #5 below. A guide on how to use the system is available here. IMPORTANT: You must ensure that the application provides evidence of satisfying the following nine criteria (i.e., in the CV and personal statement): Successful completion of a four-year, or three-year plus a fourth year, APAC-accredited sequence in psychology. Where the applicant’s psychology study has been completed more than ten years ago, evidence of psychological knowledge and skill maintenance is required. Have held general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and practiced for a minimum of 12 months full-time equivalent, without conditions upon this registration. Evidence of strong academic skill, including, for example, overall grades of 2B or higher during a four-year APAC approved program, or Distinctions/High Distinctions for the Master of Psychology course completed. Where this is not met, there is discussion of relevant reasons for and reflections on why this criterion was not met, including an explanation of how the applicant has shown continued professional development since qualification. Applicants must demonstrate a developed or developing professional identity, with evidence of a broad range of experience working in the psychology industry. Applicants must provide TWO professional OR academic referees via the HODSPA psychology reference portal (NOTE: your current professional supervisor can act as an academic reference if required. For more information, please see our FAQ page). Applicants must demonstrate strong commitment and motivation to complete the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) program. They are required to articulate a well-considered plan to ensure they can engage fully in the requirements of the program, including attendance at fortnightly mandatory tutorials, placement and supervision requirements and completion of all required coursework. The applicant is willing to engage in placements meeting the criteria required as part of the post-registration program, including a range of diverse settings and clients. Where a student aims to self-source their placements, they should outline a well-defined, considered plan as to how they will procure suitable placements and supervision which meet the requirements of the placement component of the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) program. The applicant has, or is willing to obtain, a current Working with Children Check. This is a requirement for any internal or external placement. The applicant is willing and able to attend a panel interview with members of the academic staff and sit the Cairnmillar Psychology Competency exam*. Applicants will be required to successfully pass the interview, the competency exam and referee check. Successful applicants who have not previously obtained an APAC Level 3 Masters qualification (or equivalent) will also be required to complete a brief written task prior to enrolment in order to demonstrate the completion of APAC professional competency 3.17 (completing a research thesis). An order-of-merit for entry will be prepared, taking in to account: Academic record. Previous work experience and training. Academic and professional referees’ reports. Admissions interview. *Those offered an interview will be provided with access to a free, short course that will enable them to sit this brief multiple choice exam with confidence. Applicants will have several weeks to prepare for and take the exam.
Career Opportunities Expand Graduates will be required to complete a PsyBA approved supervision plan to be accepted as registrars, followed by two years of supervised practice for the purpose of gaining endorsement in the area of clinical psychology and becoming clinical practitioners with Medicare. 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 Clinical rehabilitation services And many more…
Course Structure Expand The Master of Clinical Psychology (Post-Registration) consists of 100 credit points. Part-time study includes four units per year, over two semesters. Contact hours are 1.5 days (intensive) per unit of study each semester, plus 1-3 hours of synchronous or asynchronous online learning per week during teaching time. Course Structure: Part-time Enrolment Year 1 CLP601 Clinical Psychology: Theory and Practice (Ethical, Professional, Assessment & Intervention Competencies) 12.5 CLP604 Psychopathology and Intervention for Adults 12.5 CLP602 Advanced Assessment for Clinical Psychologists 12.5 CLP603 Psychopathology and Intervention for Children and Youth 12.5 Year 2 CLP664/674 Supervised Clinical Placement and Evidence Based Project A 25 CLP665/675 Supervised Clinical Placement B 25
Fees and Scholarships Expand Full course at 2022 rates (CMI-sourced placement) = $36,735.30* *Estimated only. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases applies, see: cairnmillar.org.au/course-fees For information on tuition and other fees, please visit the Fees and Scholarships page.
Graduate Learning Outcomes Expand Graduates of the Cairnmillar Institute’s courses in 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 using interventions and assessments that have been empirically validated. They are familiar working with a range of clients and severity of presentations. Their practice is ethical and culturally sensitive. Students who satisfactorily complete the Master of Clinical Psychology (Post Registration) will have achieved advanced knowledge and skills in the following areas of study: Apply the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS) Code of Ethics as well as relevant legislation that informs current professional practice. Develop knowledge of a broad range of assessment measures and demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical frameworks and psychometric properties that support their empirical validation. Demonstrate an understanding of a select range of empirically validated interventions suitable for use with adults and children. Demonstrate an understanding of interventions used for work with clients who have complex presentations. Demonstrate an expert understanding of a topic relevant to Clinical Psychology. This understanding is exhibited by the ability to: interpret previous findings and developments relevant to their research in Clinical Psychology and devise an original research project that is based on sound and current research methods.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Expand Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of previous experience. Typically, only recent postgraduate formal training will be recognised as prior learning in relation to this course. Credit or partial credit towards a qualification cannot be granted in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience unless students can demonstrate that they have been assessed on the competencies. There is no RPL for life experience. Cairnmillar’s RPL policy can be viewed here.